Crozet Gazette February 2018 by The Crozet Gazette

INSIDE PRINCIPLES page 3 SCHOOL NOTES page 6 BUSINESS BRIEFS page 10 DUDE OF HAZARD page 13

FEBRUARY 2018 VOL. 12, NO. 9

Raise a Glass: Crozet’s Water Plan on Tap for 2018

WHITE HALL CCC page 17 CAULIFLOWER PASTA page 13

by Lisa Martin

lisamartin@crozetgazette.com

ROCKGATE page 21

BIGGER SCHOOLS page 28 SALES BOOM page 30 VOLUNTEER! page 31 SUPERBOWL VERBS page 32 YOU’RE BAD DOG page 34 SNOWDROPS page 36 CALENDAR CLINIC page 37 MOUNTAIN LAKE page 38 ART FEST page 39 CHURCH NEWS page 40 OBITUARIES page 42 EVENTS page 44 KIDS CROSSWORD page 45

MIKE MARSHALL

IMMIGRANTS page 26

One person died and four others were taken to U.Va. Hospital with injuries after a chartered Amtrak passenger train carrying GOP lawmakers to a retreat at The Greenbrier in West Virginia crashed into a local Time Disposal trash truck Wednesday morning, Jan. 31 at the CSX railroad crossing at Lanetown Road near Mint Springs. The circumstances of the collision were unclear.

Survey Shows Wide Community Agreement on Key Growth Issues by Michael Marshall

editor@crozetgazette.com

The Crozet community survey shows wide and deep agreement on several growth issues, survey committee member Shawn Bird told the Crozet Community Advisory Committee at its meeting Jan. 17, where he presented a 25-part slide show of survey results. Bird, also a

CCAC member, holds a Ph.D. in political science and his occupation is political opinion polling. Among the take-away conclusions: Crozetians overwhelmingly favor the development of downtown as the town’s primary commercial and cultural center; correspondingly, they oppose more commercial development along Rt. 250; Crozetians are

continued on page 22

Fire and Ash Vex Neighbors of Westlake Hills Subdivision by Heidi Brown Firefighters extinguished a blaze at the new Westlake Hills subdivision Jan. 4 when fierce winds kicked up embers from a burn box at the construction site and set the woods on fire on one of the coldest nights of the new year, officials said. Although it burned for only 20 minutes and was contained to a cou-

Crozet’s water supply system is being overhauled with the long view in mind, says Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA) Executive Director Bill Mawyer. “We are gathering usage data and growth projections for the area, and our goal is to make one plan that will cover all of the necessary modifications,” he said. That blueprint, called the Drinking Water Infrastructure Plan (DWIP), will be finalized this year, and parts of it are already underway. Crozet’s water is supplied by Beaver Creek Reservoir and is independent from the rest of the county and the city of Charlottesville, which draws its water largely from the Moormans and Mechums rivers. In 2011, the RWSA’s Regional Water Supply Plan forecasted a water demand of 1 MGD (millions of gallons per day) on average for the Crozet service area to satisfy the community’s needs for the next 30 to 50 continued on page 14

HEIDI BROWN

NO SNOW page 16

ple of trees and dead leaves on less than an acre, neighbors said they feared it could have been much worse if a college student home on winter break hadn’t spotted it. The fire on the property being developed between the Foxchase and Western Ridge neighborhoods broke out around 11 p.m., when most residents were going to bed. The temcontinued on page 8

Burnt forest floor near Western Ridge.

NEW PRICE

1612 Old Trail Drive Old Trail • $309,900

6577 Woodbourne Lane Old Trail • $834,900

Lot 9 Rowcross Street Old Trail • $865,000

6562 Rockfish Gap Turnpike Crozet • $549,000

3 bedrooms • 3 full baths www.1612OldTrailDrive.com

4 bedrooms • 4 full baths • 1 half bath www.6577WoodbourneLane.com

5 bedrooms • 4 full baths • 1 half bath www.ArcadiaOldTrail.com

4 bedrooms • 2 full baths • 1 half bath www.6562RockfishGapTpke.com

COMING SOON

UNDER CONTRACT

4642 Mechums River Road Highlands • $459,900

6441 Woodbourne Lane Old Trail • $949,000

5077 Brook View Road Old Trail

4 bedrooms • 3 full baths

5 bedrooms • 4 full baths • 1 half bath

330 Windy Knoll Lane Western Albemarle

For all your real estate needs... 2013 CAAR Salesperson of the Year, 2015 CAAR REALTOR© of the Year

(434) 960-4333 deniserameyrealtor@gmail.com www.deniseramey.com 350 Old Ivy Way, Suite 200, Charlottesville, Va - 22903 Licensed to sell real estate in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

In 2018, we are celebrating the TOP 18 REASONS why so many people choose Stanley Martin to welcome them home.

Floorplans designed for everyday living

Energy-efficient features

Beautifully designed details

Personalize your options

14 13 12

Plenty of storage Pet-friendly features Lush landscaping and green space

11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

Digital-ready homes Green Living included Curb appeal Quality craftsmanship Inviting neighborhoods Best locations Stylish architecture Kitchens that WOW! No-hassle buying process Friendly and helpful team

REASON #1: RECEIVE $18,000* IN SAVINGS when you purchase a new home at Westlake at Foothill Crossing!*

5937 Westhall Drive, Crozet, VA 22932 | 888.978.3548 | StanleyMartin.com/2018 ©Stanley Martin Homes | Prices, features and incentives are subject to change without notice. *Incentives are only available on non-contingent contracts written and ratified on or before 2/28/2018. Incentives do not apply to all communities, lots, and house types. Certain additional restrictions may apply See a Neighborhood Sales Manager for details. 01/2018 | A-0054

CROZETgazette

From the Editor Community Survey Reveals Growth Principles God smiles often on Crozet. Not many towns our size can summon the technical expertise and the volunteer spirit needed to pull off a community survey that has genuine scientific sampling and unbiased rigor. Our congratulations go to the committee that pulled it off and our thanks to the nearly 1,300 citizens who participated in it and set out their aspirations for Crozet’s future. The community’s answers are decisively clear on key growth issues and we can confidently draw certain conclusions from them. First, we want the Growth Area boundary kept as it is. Second, we want downtown to get top priority as the town’s commercial and cultural center. Third, we don’t want commercial development on Rt. 250. Fourth, we want restraint on new residential growth. Lastly, we want our wishes respected and the terms of the Crozet Master Plan honored when economic development opportunities are proposed. The Master Plan was due for an update in 2015, but county planners are occupied in other sections of Albemarle and, apart from our experience in which the language of the plan and the details of its maps are sometimes used cynically to produce disagreements with each other, the plan remains

To the Editor Send your letters to the editor to news@crozetgazette.com. Letters will not be printed anonymously. Letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Crozet Gazette.

Rain Tax Does Albemarle County have a Storm Water Management

CROZET gazette the

FEBRUARY 2018 fundamentally sound. One stopgap while we wait for a formal revision process would be to state the survey results as growth regulation principles. The Crozet Community Advisory Committee should take up this task and prepare a document that could be amended, perhaps as a preface, to the current plan, adopted in 2010. A formal resolution from the CCAC could be presented to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors and Crozetians could have confidence that our views on prospective growth challenges would bear on the County’s zoning and infrastructure decisions. Another take-away from the survey comes from its openended question in which respondents were invited to share ideas about Crozet’s growth. A consistent theme in these was our desire to retain Crozet’s “small town feel.” Thoughtful planning is part of that, but the main ingredient is a culture of friendliness, hospitality and courtesy. It comes down to how we choose to act toward one another, whatever the pace of growth and whatever kinks—like traffic—are present in town life. When we look around and notice all the new faces, we must remember The Golden Rule. Love your neighbor as best you can—and get involved in civic life. You can make Crozet your ideal hometown. crisis that requires a Rain Tax on property owners? We know from the editorial in the January Gazette that Albemarle County contributes a negligible percentage of the pollutants that harm the Chesapeake Bay. Some people may disagree, but Albemarle County residents should not

In order to make correct decisions, it is important to understand all aspects of today’s local marketplace. Stevens & Company is small real estate boutique firm with comprehensive knowledge of our community where we live, work and play. We welcome you to email, call or visit our Downtown Crozet office and discuss how we can assist with all of your real estate needs. We pride ourselves in the successful pursuit of placing people with properties.

Your Local Real Estate Broker

MICHAEL J. MARSHALL Publisher and Editor news@crozetgazette.com | 434-466-8939

Member, Virginia Press Association

LOUISE DUDLEY, Editorial Assistant

Don’t miss any of the hometown news everybody else is up on. Pick up a free copy of the Gazette at one of many area locations or have it delivered to your home. Mail subscriptions are available for $29 for 12 issues. Send a check to Crozet Gazette,

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: John Andersen, Heidi Brown, Clover Carroll, Theresa Curry, Marlene Condon, Phil James, Charles Kidder, Lisa Martin, Dirk Nies, Robert Reiser, Roscoe Shaw, Heidi Sonen, Denise Zito.

P.O. Box 863, Crozet, VA 22932.

we welcome the opportunity to discuss all your real estate options.

continued on page 20

ALLIE MARSHALL PESCH Published on the first Thursday of the month by The Crozet Gazette LLC, P.O. Box 863, Crozet, VA 22932 Art Director and Ad Manager ads@crozetgazette.com | 434-249-4211

Whether you are thinking of buying or selling,

5785 THE SQUARE, SUITE 200, CROZET, VIRGINIA 22932 434-823-6104 OFFICE

Ross L. Stevens

Amy N. Stevens

434-981-5268

434-996-0394

rstevens@stevensandcompany.net amy@stevensandcompany.net

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Valentine's Beer Dinner WEDNESDAY, 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

Your Builder of Choice

MODEL HOMES OPEN DAILY 12-5 CRAIGBUILDERS.NET

434 .973.3362

COLOR OF T H E Y E A R 2 018

CALIENTE A F-29 0

Come in today for your complimentary book and for a limited time, buy one Benjamin Moore® Color Sample and get one FREE!

Imagine it.

NEWSTYLE® HYBRID SHUTTERS

Paint it.

Blue Ridge Builders Supply & Home Center 5221 Rockfish Gap Tpke Charlottesville, VA M-F: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm Sat: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Sun: Closed 434-823-1387 www.blueridgecrozet.com ~B

VISIT US TODAY: VISIT US TODAY: RETAILER NAME BLUE RIDGE PAINT & DECORATING ADDRESS 1 380-A GREENBRIER DRIVE So Many Choices CITY, STATE, ZIPTo Create CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22902 Timeless Style PHONE NUMBER 4348066652 Genuine hardwood, polysatin or hybrid materials? A rich stain or subtle color? WEBSITE Quality choices abound throughout our Custom Shutters—all backed by a lifetime HERITANCE® HARDWOOD SHUTTERS

PALM BEACHTM POLYSATINTM SHUTTERS

LOGO

™

guarantee. Make an investment in your home’s style today.

Custom Shutters

C oupon vvalid alid ffor or oone ne ((1) 1) ffree ree B enjamin M oore®® C olor SSample ample w ith tthe he ppurchase urchase ooff oone ne ((1) 1) B enjamin M oore®® CColor olor SSample. ample. RRedeemable edeemable oonly nly aatt pparticipating articipating rretailers. etailers. Must Coupon Benjamin Moore Color with Benjamin Moore pMust resenpresent t this orthis iginoriginal al coupocoupon n to redto eem – no c–opno iescopies will bewill allobe weallowed. d. Limit Limit one peone r cuper stom er. ProduProducts cts may vmay ary frvary om sfrom tore tstore o storto e. store. SubjecSubject t to avato ilabavailability. ility. Retailer reser ves the right redeem customer. tRetailer o cancereserves l this offethe r atright any tto imcancel e withothis ut noffer otice.atCany annotime t bewithout combinenotice. d withCannot any othbe er ocombined ffers. Couwith pon eany xpirother es 03/offers. 31/20Coupon 18. expires (XX/XX/XX). © 2017 B enjamin M oore & o. B enjamin M oore, P aint llike ike nno o oother, ther, aand nd tthe he ttriangle riangle ““M” M” ssymbol ymbol aare re rregistered egistered ttrademarks rademarks llicensed icensed tto oB enjamin M oore & o. P rinted iin n tthe he U SA. ©2017 Benjamin Moore &C Co. Benjamin Moore, Paint Benjamin Moore &C Co. Printed USA.

523906010589 SKU

355674

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Stories & Photos By Lisa Martin

lisamartin@crozetgazette.com

Principal Mark Green hopes to bring World Language instruction to Murray Elementary.

a es spoon measures during e’s multiage class examin g. din rea ipe A student in Anne Straum rec y on retired teacher Anne Gerat Life Skills presentation by

School of Life After 39 years as a teacher, and now mostly retired, Meriwether Lewis School’s Anne Straume has recently added a short but enduring segment of her own to her multiage class’s day: Life Skills. For twenty minutes on three mornings a week, the second and third graders learn (and practice) everyday skills such as how to change batteries in a flashlight, how to follow a recipe, and how to neatly fold their clothes. Sometimes Straume is the instructor, but often she recruits parents or other teachers to lead a session. “The assistant principal came in and taught them how to keep score in baseball, and brought score sheets so they could do it,” said Straume, “and the principal showed them how to tie a tie.” This year the students have learned useful social/emotional skills such as how to make eye contact when speaking to others, how to make an introduction, and how to write a thankyou note, as well as practical safety skills like how to cross a street by reading traffic signals and how to keep themselves safe around a strange dog. Because she has both second and third graders in her class, Straume includes the lessons only every other year so as not to repeat the content for students. “We have such a packed curriculum of state-mandated stuff to do,” said Straume. “I think this is both helpful to the students and adds a different kind

of hands-on lesson to their day.” Besides, learning a skill that results in a batch of cookies is one they’ll definitely remember.

Citizens of the World Murray Elementary Principal Mark Green is taking the first steps toward bringing World Language instruction to the school, potentially by the 2019 academic year. Though languages such as French and Spanish are taught in middle school and even more options are available to high schoolers, elementary schools in the county have lagged behind city schools in setting up instructional programs for their youngest students. “Ten years ago, World Language was taught with a videotape lesson for 30 minutes a week,” said Green. “It wasn’t interactive and the kids hated it.” Albemarle County renewed the effort in earnest six years ago, instituting a Spanish immersion “opt-in” curriculum at Cale Elementary where students can spend half their day receiving instruction in English and half entirely in Spanish. After seeing some success with that program, the County is encouraging other elementary schools to commit to adding a languages option. Murray is currently in a “research year” (as is Crozet Elementary), during which administrators visit other schools to see how the curriculum works. Rather than immersion, Murray would likely use a

FLES (Foreign Language in Elementary Schools) hybrid program that operates more like a Specials class with 120 minutes per week of instruction. Beginning with the K/1 class in the first year and adding on in each successive year, some sessions could be taught in standalone fashion during morning meeting time, while others could be incorporated into Language Arts rotations. The initiative is an expensive proposition for the county, with each full-time teacher costing about $75,000 (including benefits). Of the western district elementary schools, language instruction is currently offered only at Meriwether Lewis School, where Elizabeth Brann teaches Kindergarten, first, and second grade French classes. Murray’s Green says they will have to choose between French and Spanish to begin their program, and he is ambivalent between the two. “I’d rather focus on getting the best and most enthusiastic instructor we

MLS teacher Elizabeth Brann

can find, no matter the language, because then it will be successful,” he said. As a prime example, he points to Brann. “When you cross the threshold of my classroom, you are in a Francophone country!” said Brann with a big smile. A U.Va. Curry School grad who began learning French at age 4, Brann served on the board of the International School of Charlottesville, which her children attended, before joining the faculty at MLS. Though her classes are part of the FLES curriculum, she uses an immersion style of teaching and coordinates her curriculum tightly with the grade-level teachers. “The dedicated time I’m able to spend over the summer to collaborate with colleagues makes the curriculum so rich for the students,” said Brann. “I really believe in having that interdisciplinary focus.” So, for instance, when the kindergarteners are working on their number skills, Brann does the same in French class, reiterating the

continued on page 35

delights in her immersive Fre

nch classroom.

CROZETgazette

Scott Williams inspires

FEBRUARY 2018

by example in PE class

Health Hero Meriwether Lewis School’s PE teacher Scott Williams knew what his career path should be early in life. “I love sports, and I love kids, so this was the job for me,” he said. Action for Healthy Kids, a national advocacy group fighting childhood obesity and physical inactivity, agreed, honoring Williams as one of a dozen 2017 “Healthy School Heroes” in the U.S. for his innovative school initiatives and volunteer work in the community. Williams came to MLS in 2004 and quickly set about adding movement to as much of the school day as possible. “Research shows that the more kids are moving throughout the day the better,” he said. “After 15 or 20 minutes of sitting, their brains are turning off and their lower body is saying it’s time to go to sleep.” So he created a “Morning Movers” video series featuring kids dancing and exercising to fun pop music, broadcast in each classroom

at Meriwether Lewis.

before morning announcements, and he made a YouTube channel, MLSPE, with more videos featuring MLS staff that teachers can play at other times of the day. Along with PE co-teacher Coby Massie, Williams started a before-school PE program and a Family Dance Night, and he founded a Fitness and Nutrition Team at the school. Both teachers like to use dance as a fun fitness outlet, evident in a recent class session as they choreographed the fifth-grade boys’ energetic (and highly amusing) performance set to the classic song “It’s Raining Men” for an upcoming WAHS half-time show. “I think it’s important to show the students that we are two guys who aren’t afraid,” said Williams with a laugh. “We’re not the best dancers but we get out there.” Williams’ favorite, and most popular, project to date is his summer camp, Camp4Real,

6679 WELBOURNE LANE, OLD TRAIL • • • • • • • •

continued on page 35

Creekside – Old Trail Custom Peak built home 5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths Open floor plan 3 car garage Large 1/2 acre lot Amazing Blue Ridge views Walk to all things Crozet! MLS# 570555 $695,000

NestRealty.com/6679WelbourneLane

Scott Williams keeps fifth graders moving at Meriwether Lewis.

Something “NOTEWORTHY” going on at your school? Let lisamartin@crozetgazette.com know!

H. Ferrall, Associate Broker, Nest Realty

David H. Ferrall

Associate Broker, Nest Realty

Supporting Meals on Wheels for 20 years

df@NestRealty.com 434.882.5263

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Valentine’s Day Gifts Second Saturday Reception

“The Art of Chocolate” February 10th 3 - 5pm

5791 Three Notch'd Road, Crozet Mon-Sat: 10 am - 5 pm Sun: 12 pm - 5 pm crozetartisandepot.com 434 205-4795

MUSIC, FOOD, BEER ON TAP EVERY SAT. 6:30 - 9 PM FEB 3 Bobblehead FEB 9 Happy Hour Tap Takeover w/ Stable Craft Brewing (6-8 PM) FEB 10 The Pollocks FEB 17 Lord Nelson FEB 24 Ian Gilliam & The FireKings

Westlake Fire —continued from page 1

peratures outside dipped to the low teens and winds topped 30 mph. Spencer Elliott, a Virginia Tech student whose family lives in Western Ridge, discovered it as he arrived at the family home after spending the evening with friends. “Just between two of the houses I noticed an orange glow,” he said. “It only took a moment for me to kind of realize at first what it was, but I was in disbelief. Something is on fire!” He ran inside to alert the family and call 911. A firefighting crew from the Crozet Volunteer Fire Department arrived at the scene within five minutes of that first 911 call. It took 20 minutes for the department’s 2500-gallon tanker truck, brush truck and 10 firefighters to put out the fire. The crew was helped by the Virginia Department of Forestry, which sent a bulldozer from its headquarters at Fontaine Research Park. “There was one tall, 70-foot tree burning and it was not safe

HEIDI BROWN

The burn box at the Westlake site.

to take the tree down at that time, said Shawn Maddox, deputy fire marshal for Albemarle County Fire Rescue. “We didn’t want to use chain saws that night for the safety of our people, the way the wind was blowing. If it had fallen the wrong way . . .” After the fire was put out, they left one fire marshal behind to monitor the site and make sure the fire didn’t reignite. “It HEIDI BROWN

SUNDAY MUSIC 1 - 3:30 PM

FEB 4 Bill Reckert: Bering Glacier Photography FEB 11 Cool Blue Quartet FEB 18 Sound Machine Band FEB 25 The Burkes w/ Bill Staton ONLY 10 MINUTES FROM CROZET! PICK UP DINNER AND HAVE A DRAFT BEER— WE’RE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK! Open for lunch, groceries, convenience, gift and prepared take-out dinners, beer and wine.

Mo-Th: 11am-7pm; Fri: 11am - 8pm Sat: 11am-9pm; Sun: 11am-4pm 6624 PLANK ROAD • 434-823-2001 BATESVILLEMARKET.COM

WEDDINGS, ENGAGEMENTS, BIRTHS, ANNIVERSARIES, & SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS FOR JUST $25

ads@crozetgazette.com 434-249-4211 Burn damage in the woods at Western Ridge, near the Crozet Connector Trail.

was cold though,” Maddox said. “The water would freeze when it hit the trees. It’s miserable fighting any kind of fire in that kind of weather.” He attributed the fire to “wind that kicked up a couple of loose embers.” But the owner and president of AG Dillard, the construction company working the site, believes otherwise. “We have pretty good evidence that our equipment was tampered with,” said Trey Dillard, who assumed control of the company from his father in the beginning of January. “We have surveillance cameras onsite and had some issues with people messing with our equipment. Somebody set that. We are pretty confident that it didn’t come just by the wind blowing across.” Dillard said he has not shared his suspicions with fire officials. “We were just going to let it go,” he said. AG Dillard has been preparing a 12-acre site for Stanley Martin Homes in the Westlake Hills development since last September. About 90 single-family homes will be added to the 45 that were being built in the first phase of the project. They denuded the property of the forest that used to stand there. One lone tree remains. The rest form a heap of debris about a football field in length and six feet high. To get rid of the heap, the contractor brought in a burn box, a tractor trailer-size metal container that is used to incinerate the debris. Dillard said his company has gone through great expense and great pains to make sure they continued on page 15

CROZETgazette comply with county ordinances and obtain the proper permits to perform the work. They bought the burn box and an excavator for about $300,000 five years ago. “We’re the only contractor around here that has one,” he said. “We bought it to avoid these very situations. We can burn our clearing debris cleanly and safely.” The website of the manufacturer, Air Burners, Inc., touts the equipment as the “most economic and environmentally sound solution for eliminating wood and vegetative waste.” “That burn box cost us a lot of money. It’s really expensive and we’ve had a lot of good luck with it. It’s certified clean burn,” Dillard said. “We try to be good neighbors in everything we do. I’ve hitched our horses up in the (Crozet) parade. Those Clydesdale horses in the parade are mine. We try to be active in the community. That’s why we bought the burn box. “We’ve been around 52 years and I hope to be around for 52 more. We’re not trying to hurt anyone,” he said. Maddox, the fire marshal, said AG Dillard “did everything that they were supposed to do.” He said the construction company was not fined, but likely will have to pay for the fire response. “Just like you would if you did a campfire in your yard and it got out of control. They will reimburse the county for fire suppression and the Forestry Department for the cost of the bulldozer and the operator.” He estimated the cost to be about $3,000. The January fire was only the latest and most serious of a number of concerns raised by Western Ridge neighbors. On a recent day, small flakes floated down through the air, coating cars, trampolines, deck furniture and anything exposed outside with a fine film of gray ash. They are convinced the ash is coming from the new development. “A couple of times we were walking to the pool and it was almost like it was snowing,” said Sherry Wegner, a mother of three who lives on Clearfields Court. “We have a German shepherd and we keep a water bowl out there. We’d fill the water bowl in the morning and a few hours later it would have

FEBRUARY 2018 ash floating in it.” She said she worries about the long-term health effects on the children in the neighborhood. Parents were keeping their kids indoors because of the choking smell of smoke in the air. “And when they’d go out on the trampoline to play, they’d be covered in black,” she said. The neighbors began comparing notes and decided to complain. “The first round was when we all called the fire marshal,” Wegner said. “We all got the same response. They are doing everything up to code; not doing anything illegal.” The residents were advised to bring their concerns to the county Board of Supervisors. They just missed the January meeting. Cathy Loman, another Western Ridge resident, said she called Supervisors chairman Ann Mallek, who “was very concerned about the process that’s being followed and will look into it.” Mallek said she has received several complaints, each representing “lots of neighbors.” “They’re concerned about the burning of construction debris,” she said. This isn’t a new issue. “We had difficulty with flying ash several years ago” with a different company at a different construction site. “This is getting old. They are following the rules, which means we’re going to have to have our rules changed.” The fire marshal will be offering some options for changes to the fire burning law at the Board of Supervisors meetings in March, Mallek said. Dillard said he has received only one complaint from neighbors about the ash. “I’m not sure where the ash came from, but it doesn’t come from the box,” he said. “You have to clean it periodically. You’ll get some dusting then. That’s probably what’s happening.” The company’s latest permit was issued Dec. 4 and was set to expire at midnight on Feb. 3. As for the neighbors, “I’m glad they’re trying to take the measures to do this correctly,” Wegner said. “But you want to have a good reputation in the community so I hope they take our concerns to heart and consider doing it a different way. I would hope that after February 4 they are done, or they reconsider if enough of us complain.”

Trust Charlie with your home buying and selling needs in the western Albemarle area.

• Service in the spirit of Jefferson’s ideal of trust and honesty • Newly-elected Director of the Old Trail Home Owners Association • Retired school principal • Guide at Jefferson’s Monticello • New Home Sold: 11782 Hollyview Drive, Great Falls, VA $810,000

I appreciate all your referrals for the purchase and resale of homes in the Crozet area.

Charles Bindig Sales Associate

Cell: 571-209-7306 Office: 434-220-7626 bindigrealtor@gmail.com

TAX PREPARATION SERVICES FOR: Individuals, Partnerships, Corporations, Non-Profit Organizations

WE ALSO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: Audits, Reviews and other Attestation Engagements

James W. Kelly

saidee R. Gibson

jkelly@rfca.com

sgibson@rfca.com

CPA, MBA, CFE, CGMA

CPA, MSA

Let our professional experienced staff work for you! Proudly Serving Western Albemarle, Waynesboro and Staunton for 15 Years James is a long-term resident of Crozet and will happily meet with you at his Old Trail home office or you can visit our Staunton office conveniently located near Augusta Health in Fishersville at 10 Hedgerow Drive, Staunton, VA 24401

www.rfca.com

Fishersville: 540-248-7300 (office); 434-242-2127 (cell) Charlottesville: 434-973-8314

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Business Briefs THERESA CURRY

By Theresa Curry theresa@crozetgazette.com

Local business news

THERESA CURRY

Raphael Strumlauf

Matthieu Finot samples Chardonnay from the barrels at King Family Vineyards.

Winemaker Traces the Path of AwardWinning Champagne Sometime in late winter, Matthieu Finot will decide which of the Chardonnay vines at King Family Vineyards will produce the fruit for the vineyard’s Brut. The Virginia champagne, made in the traditional way, won a gold medal at the most recent Governor’s Cup, the state’s premiere competition. The sparkling blanc-deblanc is a practical as well as traditional choice: “That’s what I have here; that’s what does well,” he said. The designated grapes are harvested a bit early to preserve the lively acid profile required for champagne, and fermented in older oak barrels for six months or so. The winemaker draws a taste from the barrels, decides when it’s ready to bottle, and to each bottle adds a mix of yeast and sugar, the potion designed to trigger the tiny, streaming bubbles that elevate the wine to the drink of choice for celebrations. Each bottle––they’re made of extrastrong glass to avoid explosions––gets a temporary cap before lying flat for a couple of years as the flavor develops. The long exposure to the yeast cells (the lees) develops a flavor Finot likens to toasted bread or brioche, the rich French pastry. The problem with the added yeast and sugar (the process is called tirage) is that the spent

yeast forms a sediment that’s visible to the naked eye. There’s an ingenious solution, an ageold process made a little easier by modern technology. When the time is near for the champagne’s release, the bottles are turned slowly until they are vertical, neck down, all the sediment drifting towards the throat of the bottle, which rests in a shallow, freezing bath of glycol. “There used to be special workers who were trained to turn the bottles slowly and to pop the frozen sediment out,” Finot said. “We have this done at an outside facility and it’s mostly automated.” The temporary caps are replaced with the distinctive oblong cork, but not before the winemaker has brewed up another mix (called a dosage) with brandy, dissolved sugar and enough wine to replace the wine that’s been disgorged. Finot uses enough sugar to achieve the designation of “Brut.” There’s a range of sweetness in champagnes that’s meticulously measured and labeled–– and some are finished without the added sugar––but the Brut remains the most popular, Finot said. The King Family Brut disappears so fast that it’s rarely available, Finot said, but the vineyard plans the release of a festive local favorite, the Crosé, on Valentine’s Day. “It will be available only here at the vineyard then,” he said. The vines will still be sleeping but after tasting the new release, Finot confirms

that the popular rose will add some life and color to the drab February landscape, the gorgeous, lush wine tasting of summer and peaches.

Delicatessen to Open in March Shoppers at the Crozet Market can see the delicatessen taking shape next door, watching the construction of counters and cases through the plastic film. When the dust settles in a month or so, there’s still the hiring and training of staff, said owner Raphael Strumlauf. “We mean for the delicatessen to complement the market,” he said. Plans call for two cold cases, a hot case, and a fresh bakery counter, as well as the rotisserie chicken and fried chicken stations. Hungry shoppers can also choose from prepared salads, sandwiches and sliced meat and cheeses. There will also be coffee and a selection of hot biscuits for people grabbing breakfast on the run. The expanded space also includes room for the office and customer service. Although there will be a couple of tables, “We’ll be mostly grab and go,” Strumlauf said. In the market, as in the future deli, he’s very aware that he has a diverse clientele: “We’ve added more than 400 items since moving the produce department around,” he said. And every time he adds a specialty or international food, he adds something for families on a budget. “I really like the model used by the former owners,” he said. “I’m building this item by item as people request things.” For

instance, someone wanted store-brand milk and orange juice in gallons; young families wanted drinkable yogurt and large boxes of eggs; others requested fresh pasta and prosciutto. All of these––and dozens of other items––are now available. Does this work? “Yes, it does,” Strumlauf said. “In my experience, one person often represents a lot of other people who would use a product.” He hopes that people will continue to let him know what they’d like to see on his shelves. “So far, I’ve always had space to fit things in,” he said. “We may have to juggle things around a little, but we’ll do it.”

Barre.[d] Opens at Piedmont Place Just in time to revive New Year’s fitness resolutions, barre. [d] opened a few days ago in downtown Crozet’s Piedmont Place. The owner, Monica Asplin, has been in Crozet since 2009, and has two young daughters. At the same time she put the finishing touches on the studio (the former location of Santosha Yoga), she was also moving into a new home. “The timing was a little hectic,” she said, “but when I heard Santosha was moving, I knew I had to jump right in.” Inspired by the famous ballerina Lotte Berk, the workout is intended to be low-impact and combine elements of pilates, yoga, physiotherapy, and dance. There’s a great deal of attention to the individual needs and level of each student.

CROZETgazette

THERESA CURRY

FEBRUARY 2018

Crozet’s first yoga studio. All levels welcome, come move with us!

www.crozetyoga.com

introductory offer: 30 days unlimited classes for $50

BAKESHOP Check Out Our Valentine’s Treat Menu Online Now!

Monica Aslpin

Chocolates Star in Valentine’s Day Lineup You can say it with flowers, spend hours writing the perfect inscription on a card or invest in a piece of jewelry, but the most popular expression of affection is the gift of chocolate; its sales equal all the other possibilities combined. “Valentine’s Day is the single biggest day for us,” said Tim Gearhart of Gearhart’s Chocolate. He said that the holidays––if you measure from Thanksgiving to New Year’s––inspire the greatest amount of chocolate consumption, but that’s for more than a month of seasonal purchasing. Gearhart has found that Valentine’s Day gifts are likely to be bought at the last minute:

“It’s usually either the day before or the day of,” he said. That’s appropriate, he added, because the Gearhart’s product most loved by Valentine gift givers, the 16-piece assortment, has a short shelf life. Among the 16 pieces, people seem to love best the Maya (a truffle with cinnamon, orange and chili) and the Criolla, a bittersweet dark chocolate. The 16-piece assortment is available at the Charlottesville store, but a number of local stores carry Gearhart’s shelf-stable varieties. It’s no coincidence that this area was the home of one of the first artisanal chocolate shops. Gearhart grew up in Ivy, attended Western Albemarle High School, left for the marines, then attended culinary school to become a pastry chef.

CUPCAKES

BABY CAKES

Treats are available when the sign is out!

5853 Jarmans Gap Road, Crozet 434-960-5872 mycakebyrachel.com

YMCA Summer Camp ★

★

Brooks Family YMCA Crozet YMCA

YMCA KinderCamp

McIntire Park

Jefferson School

Claudius Crozet Park

June 11 – August 21 7:30am – 6pm Registration Opens February 5

continued on page 12

SUBMITTED

“You will never plateau, you will never get bored, and your body will always be working at the level you want it to,” Asplin said. Asplin believes it is important for those who live here to have opportunities to exercise without a great deal of commuting: “I wanted to bring this amazing workout closer to home and share it with my neighbors,” she said. There are some special offers associated with the grand opening of barre.[d]. For more information and the schedule, go to www.barredstudio.com or the Facebook page.

piedmontymca.org . 434.974.9622 Tim Gearhart

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

WEDNESDAYS: 1/2 Price Growler Fills 3-9 PM

—continued from page 11

Eventually he worked his way back to his home and now lives in Crozet. Does the chef have a favorite? “Well, I eat a piece of chocolate every day,” he said. “But right now I really like the malted milk hazelnut.” Find Gearhart’s chocolate in Charlottesville, at many locations in western Albemarle County, or order online at Gearhartschocolate.com.

Spotlight on Artisanal Chocolate at the Depot

80s VALENTINE'S PROM SATURDAY, FEB 10 • 6 - 10 PM

SONGWRITER SERIES

WEDNESDAY, FEB 21 • 6 - 9:30 PM ALEX ARBAUGH, BRYAN ELIJAH SMITH, SAM LOWE & JOHN HOWARD

W: 3-10PM; TH: 11AM-10PM; F - SA: 11AM-11PM; SUN: 11AM-10PM

Crozet Foot & Ankle Clinic Medicine and Surgery of the Foot and Ankle

Elaine Allen, DPM • heel pain • orthotics • achilles tendinitis • sports injuries

During February, Crozet Artisan Depot presents the work of chocolatier Jennifer Mowad of Cocoa & Spice. Mowad will be at the Second Saturday opening reception February 10 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Crozet train depot, and will answer questions about the art of working with chocolate. The event will include samples of Cocoa & Spice products and a display of the tools Mowad uses to create her chocolates. Mowad will also provide samples of her creations at the depot on Sunday, February 4, and Sunday, February 11, from 12 to 5 p.m. Mowad is a graduate of the Ecole Chocolate Professional Chocolatier Program and completed an apprenticeship at East Van Roasters in Vancouver, Canada.

Breweries Offer Valentine’s Specials Stop in at Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton and treat your valentine to a heart-shaped

• ingrown & fungal toenails • foot & ankle deformities

Cocoa and Spice at Artisan Depot

pizza. This offer continues throughout the day, and since it’s locals’ night, pizzas are offered for $5 off in the evening hours. Or make reservations for the brewmaster’s dinner, a fivecourse meal pairing beer with food. More information and registration can be found at bluemountainbrewery.com. For dessert, go to Starr Hill Brewery for pairings of beer and candy. On February 10, 11, 12 and 14, Cville Candy will offer free samples of sweets that go with the brewery’s pints, including Little Red RooStarr Coffee Cream Stout with RooStarr Coffee Toffee, a coffee-infused toffee and dark chocolate combination; Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout with Dark Chocolate Almond Bark, freshly toasted almonds in smooth dark chocolate; and Love Wheat Beer with Beertender Bark, a salty, sweet treat with heat that’s made with white chocolate, pretzels, and fiery Thai peanuts. For more information, go to starrhill.com. As always, Starr Hill shares the profits with a local charity, and February’s choice is Mended Little Hearts of Charlottesville. SUBMITTED

• diabetic foot care • bunions & corns

SUBMITTED

Business News

Accepting all patients at our convenient Crozet location in the Shoppes at Clover Lawn across from Blue Ridge Builders and Harris Teeter 325 Four Leaf Lane, Suite 11A, Charlottesville, VA 22903 In the Blue Ridge Family Practice Suite We welcome non-insured patients

434-242-8550

crozetfootandankle.com

Heart-shaped pizzas at Blue Mountain Brewery

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

by Theresa Curry

theresa@crozetgazette.com

It’s a perfect business model for these busy times, targeting the growing number of people who want to make sure contaminants from their hazardous waste don’t end up in the rivers and drinking water. It can be confusing though: Maybe there’s no time to take items to the right place to recycle. Or maybe it’s just too hard to figure out the individual places that take and recycle the old batteries, cell phones, weed killers, vacuums and other items not allowed in the conventional recycling stream. The solution is simple, as befits the local tradition of neighborly trust: email, text, message or call the “Dude of Hazard” and he’ll come to your home, pick up your items and deliver them to the appropriate place. You don’t need to make an appointment or even be there: Just leave the items and $5 in an envelope on your porch. In keeping with the environmentally friendly nature of the business, the mode of transportation is easy on the planet. The owner relies on bicycle power to pick up your small items, or to

make an initial assessment of a larger item that may require a vehicle. Also, he’s too young to drive. The “dude,” Bodhi Rose, is 10, and he slips the batteries and cell phones into a backpack. He hatched his plan when he and his parents, Jill and Tim Rose, were brainstorming ideas for Bodhi to make a little money after school and in the summers. Once enough items accumulate, one of Bodhi’s parents takes the items to the best option for disposal. This is also done in an environmentally friendly way, said Jill, when they’re driving in the right direction anyway. Bodhi (his name means ‘enlightenment’) came up with the name. “Since some of the things are hazardous, I thought it would fit,” he said. Jill Rose, a videographer with VCU, said the family has always tried to be aware of reducing waste and recycling. “I had to change one of those LED bulbs,” she said. “After I unscrewed it, I thought ‘what’s next?’ If it was causing me some stress to find a way to dispose of it, I figured others might have the same problem.” She, Bodhi, Bodhi’s sister, Sophia, and husband Tim Rose, an oncology

THERESA CURRY

This Dude’s for Hire: Crozet Youth Launches Hazardous Waste Recycling Service

Bodhi Rose

nurse at U.Va., try to reduce waste in other ways, by composting and carrying their own bags to the grocery store. At first, the business took only items like the used bulbs, cell phones and spent batteries, things they already knew had specific destinations for recycling. But Bodhi and Jill became intrigued with the idea that almost anything could ultimately have another life that would keep it out of the waste stream, if they could only find the right place for it. Copiers, fax machines, old keyboards, cameras, fans and binoculars

SHOP DONATE VOLUNTEER

Building Supplies, Furniture & Home Décor

cvillehabitatstore.org

1221 Harris Street

434-293-6331

and many other large and small items were added to their list of acceptable materials. “We’ve spent a lot of time researching where to bring hard-to-recycle items,” she said. Jill posts items accepted on “Nextdoor,” the neighborhood website. An empty helium tank is the most unusual item they’ve disposed of, Bodhi said. He and his mother found out that strict regulations applied to this: the tank must be completely empty, which involved some research as well as some tinkering on their part. continued on page 32

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

MIKE MARSHALL

Water Plan —continued from page 1

RWSA Water Manager Dave Tungate with the Crozet treatment plant’s new carbon filter tanks.

and we’ll have a much more efficient use of the water.” The station is sited uphill from the old location, which will make getting trucks and equipment in and out easier as well. Another part of the $4 million project is replacing a diesel generator (that serves as backup power for the plant) with a more muffled one to keep the noise down for residents of the nearby neighborhoods. Tungate is especially proud of the RWSA’s above-and-beyond preventative maintenance program, which involves continually spot-checking the system, stocking spare parts, and running the backup generator under full load once a month to keep it tuned up. Treatment plant. Designs are about 30 percent complete to increase the plant’s water treatment capacity from 1 to 2

MIKE MARSHALL

years, based in part on the Crozet Master Plan population projections. The Crozet water treatment system’s current capacity is about 1 MGD. Over the last six years, Crozet has experienced strong residential and commercial growth, and the Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA), which handles the retail water customer side, reports a 35 percent increase in new connections since 2010. Average daily use is currently about 500,000 gallons, but daily peaks above 800,000 gallons have been recorded several times in every year since 2013, and have sparked a revision of the water supply plan. Ramping up both capacity and quality Four ongoing, interrelated projects will address Crozet’s increased water needs for the future. Pump station. A new finished-water pumping station to replace an outdated one is currently under construction at the Crozet Water Treatment Plant on Rt. 240. It will increase pumping capacity from its current 1 MGD to 2 MGD. Dave Tungate, Crozet resident and water manager for the RWSA, says the new pump station, slated to be complete in April, will be a significant improvement over the original 1967 station. “We’re proud of this project and how it turned out,” said Tungate. “The new pumps will each have one and a half times the capacity of the old ones, with variable frequency drives,

The new pump station under construction.

MGD as well, which will take several years to complete. To process water for drinking, raw water from the Beaver Creek Reservoir is pumped and piped over to the treatment plant, where the first step is to add a coagulant to make the particulate in the water—dirt, bacteria, and organic matter from leaves and logs—stick together and settle to the bottom of the treatment tanks. Another important part of the process treats and filters the water for two micro-contaminants: giardia and cryptosporidium, both of which are parasites that can cause sickness in humans and pets. This larger project, projected to cost about $7 million, will be tricky to implement because the treatment processes must continue to run during the changeover. “We have two sets of filters, each of which can handle a million gallons,” said Tungate, “so we can take half of the system down and work with just one set at a time. We plan to time the upgrades to take place mostly during the winter months when water demand is lower.” Carbon filters. The most visible improvement along Rt. 240 is the big red structure erected last fall. Inside the building, whose color was chosen specifically for its rural charm by the county’s Architectural Review Board, is a new “granular activated carbon” filtration system that is being installed in all five

of the RWSA treatment plants. The Crozet project’s cost is $3.4 million, and the system is slated to come online at all locations this coming April or May. “Each of the two filtration tanks is filled with 20,000 pounds of granular carbon, which looks like black Grape Nuts,” said Tungate. “The carbon is activated by super-heating it, causing micro-fractures that create adsorption, a molecular adhesion process.” The water is filtered in this “polishing” step before adding the disinfection chemicals, and the carbon serves to minimize the acid byproducts created in that final treatment. As with the rest of the system, these filters will be able to handle the overall 2 MGD capacity in the plant. Dam modifications. Beaver Creek Dam, the 59-foot earthen levee topped by Browns Gap Turnpike, has recently been reclassified by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation as a “high hazard dam.” The classification does not imply that the dam itself is unsafe, but rather that a dam failure would have serious and damaging effects on people and property downstream. Beaver Creek Dam may be brought into compliance with the more stringent state standards by, for example, enlarging the spillway below the dam (or “armoring” it with concrete) to minimize the downstream impact, or by raising the height of the dam itself. Depending on

CROZETgazette MIKE MARSHALL

FEBRUARY 2018

$6K in Seller-Paid Closing Costs!

968 Blundell Hollow Rd, Afton • $589,000 31+ GORGEOUS ACRES including a main house with 3 bedrooms/3 full baths and a lovely, well-maintained 3 bedroom/2 full bath doublewide! 4 large sheds and mature landscaping/gardens. Too many extras to mention—call me today for details. MLS#568166 The main settling tanks at the Crozet plant.

bond funding and thus debt servicing, which increases those bills, but the costs are spread over the entire system and not paid only by Crozet residents. “The price of water here is tiny compared to all over the state,” said Albemarle County Board of Supervisors White Hall representative Ann Mallek, “and we have spectacular quality, which makes me proud.” Still, she’d like to see more protections on all of the area’s reservoirs. “When people back boat trailers covered with oil and muck down into the reservoir to offload their boats, we don’t need that in the water. We are going to have to raise our standards about what’s allowed.” Mallek describes the work in Crozet as a team effort between the RWSA and the ACSA, and lauds the efforts of both to make decisions about the future well before problems arise. “The RWSA is planning ahead and I always appreciate that,” she said. “It often takes longer to accomplish these things than we anticipate.”

Beauty and quality in this well-maintained, one-level living home. All brick construction offering 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, freshly painted, move-in ready. Huge 2.01 acre lot. Country setting with scenic mountain views and short drive to Stanardsville. MLS#569369, $315,000

Nancy Fleischman Principal

An independent agency offering a choice of companies.

Let us compare for you.

crozetinsurance.com

MIKE MARSHALL

the solution, the roadway and/ or the raw-water pump on the lower side of the dam may have to be rebuilt or moved. RWSA engineers estimate the cost of modifications to the dam could be as much as $10 million. For all of these projects, the RWSA is trying to coordinate the work to maximize efficiency. An outside consultant, Hazen and Sawyer Engineers, is preparing demand forecasts for Crozet that will determine whether the maximum yield of the reservoir needs to be increased (again, potentially by raising the dam height). If such a change is needed, the RWSA wants to combine that work with the dam compliance modifications. The RWSA expects to return to the CCAC to present and discuss the consultant’s findings in March. The expense of the combined projects is significant, and the RWSA is funded mostly through a portion of end users’ water bills. Larger projects such as the pump station and treatment plant upgrades require

43 MARcH Rd, StAnARdSville

Haircuts|Beard Trims|Shaves Free eyebrow, ear & mustache trim with haircut Straight razor shaves include hot lather, hot towels & aftershave Find us on Facebook!

Mon. Tues. Thurs. & Fri. 7:30 - 5:30 Saturday 7:30 - 1 Walk-Ins; No Credit Cards

SERVING CROZET SINCE 1933 Peter jasiurkowski tests “raw” water from Beaver Creek reservoir.

1202 Crozet Avenue 434-823-4223

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Crozet

Weather Almanac

Lebanon Evangelical Presbyterian Church

JANUARY 2018

a place where:

Jesus Christ

is the Message

By Heidi Sonen & Roscoe Shaw | weather@crozetgazette.com COURTESY HEIDI SONEN/ROSCOE SHAW

Skeptics are Welcome Broken Lives are Mended

LOCAL MUSIC LOCAL FOOD LOCAL VIBE

Join us Sundays for worship at 10:45am. We are located at 8312 Brooksville Rd., Greenwood, VA For more information please go to our website:

www.lebanonepc.org Pastor: Rev. Michael Payne PH.D. “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations these are mortal... But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit.” C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

Cold, Cold, Cold but Where is the Snow?

CharlottesvilleFamily Favorite Award Winner 2015

January was wickedly cold for a long stretch, but we had almost no snow. School was cancelled 20 times (slight exaggeration) but the monthly snow total added up to just one inch. How can this be? We had a two-week period in early January where the temperature never went over 42 and the average was 22, but no snow fell. The temperature dropped to zero on January 7 and below 20 nearly every day. But the ground stayed brown. Heidi and I like to say that snow in Virginia is a “random event.” When we get extremely cold, Canadian air dominates and not much falls from the sky. When we are warm, we get rain, not snow. So, to get snow, we need luck to get just the right combination of moisture and cold air. The best way for that to happen here is for warm, moist ocean air from the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico to ride over the top of very cold, dry, Canadian air to the north and west. Contrasting air masses generate storms, and if the center of the storm passes to our east, we can get nailed with snow. The best scenario is for a low

pressure storm to develop rapidly over the warm Gulf Stream near the Carolina beaches. Warm moist ocean air gets thrown back into the dry, Canadian air and very heavy bands of snow can result. This can only be forecasted a few days (or sometimes hours) in advance and certainly not in October when everyone starts asking us “Are we going to have a snowy winter?” Our standard answer is “I dunno.” During the winter of 20092010, the temperatures were a touch warmer than this year but over 50” of snow fell. Everything came together perfectly again and again. This year, so far, the timing has been off. So the snowstorms are mostly just “luck.” Whether that is good luck or bad luck depends on your point of view. Dogs and kids love snow. Old people and cats hate snow. So, are you an old cat or a young dog? The snowfall season is only about halfway over and February is our snowiest month, averaging 6 inches of snow a year. So maybe puppy dogs will still have their day.

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

By Phil James

phil@crozetgazette.com

History The adage “History is local” can be proven summarily in nearly every community around the globe. We relate more readily to national and international events when we have a local perspective. It can be said that the Emperor Napoleon’s European conquests were represented locally in the person of Claudius Crozet, who was assigned to Napoleon’s headquarters in 1809 as an officer of artillery, and who received in 1812 “from the hand of the Emperor the Cross of the Legion of Honor.” In central Virginia, the office of President of the United States can be interpreted at shrines to former Presidents Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Wilson. Some families in the region readily point out lineages that include these statesmen. Between 1905 and 1908, during his presidency, Theodore Roosevelt retreated for relaxation numerous times to a rustic camp in southern Albemarle County, and nearby neighbors came to know him personally. Personages, paths and events

Local: The C.C.C.s

In December 1938, the Civilian Conservation Corps camp at White Hall in western Albemarle County was at full strength with 205 personnel on site, including enrollees, and technical and administrative staff. CCC Co. #338, Camp Albemarle, opened in June 1933 and operated until July 1942 when the nationwide program closed down. [Courtesy Phil James Historical Images]

associated with the American Civil War a century-and-a-half ago can be pointed out all through the foothills on both sides of our Blue Ridge Mountains. Greenwood Community Center was formally dedicated in 1950 as “A Memorial to the Fallen, A Thanksgiving for the Returned, World War I and II.”

Casper Knight of Stanardsville, Greene Co., entered the CCC program in January 1940 at Camp Albemarle, Moormans River (White Hall). [Photo by Phil James]

The principal speech heard by over 500 attendees on dedication day was given by the ever-colorful Greenwood native Lady Nancy Langhorne Astor, the first woman to be seated in the British Parliament. A native of Kinsale in Westmoreland County, the late J. Harvey Bailey (1909–2003) was a 24-year-old college graduate with an engineering degree in 1933 making 35¢/hour in a sputtering economy. Then his job ended. The Great Depression left more that 25 percent of the country jobless and with little hope. But an unlikely group of

young laborers aided our nation greatly in the 1930s and early ’40s. Reflecting on that historic period, Bailey wrote, “President Hoover did not return to the White House in 1932. Franklin D. Roosevelt was his successor. The campaign was run on the ability of which candidate could propose and manage a plan which would bring the country to an economy which would furnish a fair living, and assist the individual to support a family and to seek employment where offered. “The number of unemployed persons had increased enorcontinued on page 18

Max Hippert (1898 – 1977), at the head of a noonday worksite chow line, was employed in the CCC program at Camp Albemarle as a Local Experienced Man to train enrollees and model work character. Hippert’s skill sets included placing underground dynamite charges. [Photo courtesy of Joan Hippert Pugh]

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

CCC

—continued from page 17

mously, alarmingly in a very short time. Especially affected were the simple laborers. “The problem before the Federal government stretched across the country. Employment had to be found and distributed countrywide. By the time the President came to office, he had set a plan, or plans, to put the recently unemployed to employment. Of course, this took innovative employment. “[After Government-funded public jobs were created for some with skilled backgrounds], a class of citizens remained. These were the untrained young people too young to employ. Yet they needed oversight and instruction in what would be required of them when they reached employment age. At the same time, the individual would be earning some money, helping his parents or guardians as the case might be. “To put this program into action the C.C.C. was put into action.”

Congress passed the Emergency Conservation Work (ECW) legislation on March 31, 1933. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) program was authorized April 5, 1933. The first enrollee was inducted on April 7. The nation’s first camp, Camp Roosevelt, opened April 17 in George Washington National Forest near Edinburg. On June 11, 1933, trucks met the early train at Crozet Depot and transported Camp Albemarle’s sleepy-eyed new CCC recruits to White Hall. Nineteen-year-old Walter McDowell (1914–2007) from Portsmouth, Virginia, was among that first round of enrollees: “Trucks carried us up there and put us on that vacant field at White Hall,” McDowell recalled. “Peach orchard on one side of it. They dumped us right out and threw some tents out with us and said, ‘Y’all put ‘em up if you want to sleep inside and keep out of the rain.’ The only bath we had was the Moormans River right down below us. So we were learning right from the start. They cooked outdoors until we built a mess hall [in July].”

The official five-inch waterslide decal, produced and marketed by the Happy Days national CCC newspaper, was available for purchase at the PX of local CCC camps. Directions for its application included the directive, “For use on your lockers and truncks” [sic]. Footlocker trunks, personalized with hand lettering, artwork or decals, and positioned at the foot of each enrollee’s assigned bunkhouse cot, contained the young enrollees’ camp possessions, mementoes, photos, and coveted letters from home (or local romantic interests). [Courtesy Phil James Historical Images]

When President Franklin D. Roosevelt diagramed the structure of the Civilian Conservation Corps program in March 1933, he added, “I want personally to check on the location, scope etc of the camps...” On August 12, 1933, he had his first face-to-face encounter at Camp #NP-5, near Grottoes in Augusta County, when he entered the Blue Ridge Mountains to inspect the camps in Shenandoah National Park. [Courtesy Phil James Historical Images]

At the end of the program’s first enrollment period in September, McDowell noted, “Not many of them left, because they didn’t have any money. They couldn’t get any money at home. That’s the reason they were in there. That was the good life then: three meals a day. Place to sleep. Lot of them didn’t have a place to sleep if they went back home. It was rough days.” President Roosevelt made a promised inspection of camps located inside Shenandoah National Park in August 1933, and his personal approval brought a morale boost to those in the program and to the nation. The once-skeptical public soon saw the advantages wrought by the program. States asked for more camps to be established. Once-struggling businesses in nearby towns were encouraged by increased commerce. Monies sent back home by the recruits spread out the benefits even farther. Crime statistics were noticeably lower in some large cities. At the close of 1935, more than 600,000 persons were employed in over 2,600 camps in every state. Other nearby CCC camps were established in Nelson County to work on state for-

estry lands near Woodson; at Lyndhurst in Augusta County to build the Sherando Lake recreation area; in Louisa County near Boswell’s Tavern; plus ten camps assigned to Shenandoah National Park. Harvey Bailey was accepted into the CCC program as Camp Engineer at Camp Albemarle in 1933, a position he held until the CCC’s nationwide success story ended in 1942 following the country’s entry into WWII. At the close of the war, Bailey returned to Albemarle County, where he enjoyed a long career as County Engineer until retirement. Walter McDowell, too, survived the rigors and deprivations of the Depression and war years. He returned to his Tidewater home and found work as an auto mechanic. Later, he benefited from the growing tourist trade as captain of his own charter boats, the Tiki and the Carrie B, named for his mother, guiding Norfolk harbor tours of the Navy yard and local shipyards. Both these men, and each of the thousands and thousands of people involved in the CCC program, made their histories locally and nationally. Our towns and our country are richer for their efforts.

Follow Secrets of the Blue Ridge on Facebook! Phil James invites contact from those who would share recollections and old photographs of life along the Blue Ridge Mountains of Albemarle County. You may respond to him through his website: www.SecretsoftheBlueRidge.com or at P.O. Box 88, White Hall, VA 22987. Secrets of the Blue Ridge © 2003–2018 Phil James

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

LE FOOT SOCCER CAMP

I was thirteen years old when I realized that the whole world doesn’t eat pasta every Sunday. I was invited to Gretchen’s house (German ancestry) and her mother served roast beef, mashed potatoes and green beans. Whaaaaat? My family had pasta most Fridays (meatless), and every single Sunday, with lots of meat. As did all my relations. The Sunday pot always had meatballs, usually chunks of chuck roast, chicken parts and when Dad could get them, pigs’ feet. All of this would be prepared on Saturday late afternoon and cooked gently till we went to bed, when it would be turned off and left on the stove. In the morning, the pot would be put on low heat and we’d troop off to Mass. Often we’d stop by my Uncle Tony and Aunt Joann’s house, where the same ritual was happening. Whether at their house or ours, we’d all “rob the pot” after Mass and have some of the meat. Then, the pasta would be served, followed by salad. There was never dessert unless it was someone’s birthday. All this took

place every single Sunday. What follows is what was sometimes prepared on a Friday. My father, who did most of the cooking, called this month’s recipe “depression food” because it was cheap and filling. I suppose that cauliflower was not quite the “in” vegetable that it is now. I’ve seen recipes now for cauliflower pizza crust, as well as riced cauliflower as a low-carb alternative in Asian stir-fry. But for us, cauliflower was something you paired with pasta. I had never had it any other way. This cauliflower pasta is something that my father would never to serve to company—just too plebeian. But I went ahead and did so once, to my guest’s great delight. Then I learned another lesson: most people wouldn’t think to add cauliflower to pasta. So like last month, I offer another quick, and tasty pasta. This column is Seasonal Flavors after all, and my garden is dormant except for a few straggly leeks, some onions and teeny tiny spinach, waiting for Spring. But there is cauliflower in the grocery stores, so let’s go.

Cauliflower Pasta 1 head cauliflower 4 cloves garlic ¼ cup olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste Grated Romano cheese ¾ lb pasta

I always use a pressure cooker for this. Not only is it fast, but it efficiently cooks the cauliflower to mush—-which is the goal. If you don’t have one, or fear your pressure cooker, then just cut the cauliflower into four large pieces, cover with salted water and cook till it is very, very soft. If you use the pressure cooker, put the four pieces into the cooker, add two inches of water, bring to pressure and cook for 15 minutes. Save the cooking water. In a large frying pan, gently heat the oil, crush the garlic cloves and cook till they start to brown, then remove from heat while you await your cauliflower. Take the cooked cauliflower and add to the pan of garlic oil, then use a potato masher and mash it into the oil. My Dad would always add some of the cauliflower cooking water at this point, to make it runnier. I prefer not to do that. You choose. In the meantime, cook the pasta—-any shape will do, but I prefer thin spaghetti. Cook until al dente, strain, and add it to the pan of cauliflower “sauce.” Mix thoroughly and serve immediately with lots of freshly ground pepper and the Romano cheese. I’d serve this to a guest, wouldn’t you? Serves four.

Sunday, June 17 • 4 - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday, June 18 - 22 • 8:30-11:30 a.m. Field School Of Charlottesville 1408 Crozet Ave, Crozet

For Boys & Girls Birth Years 2001-2013 Our camp is specifically designed for individual players committed to soccer. Players are carefully grouped according to age and ability. Offered as an excellent tune-up for upcoming travel, ODP/PDP, district and state try-outs. Individuals will greatly benefit from our unique training concepts.

Visit www.art2beat.com to download application Contact Lesly Gourdet: jahrah@art2beat.com or 347-698-3953

Crozet Area Homes Wanted

The housing market continues to experience an extremely low inventory of homes for sale, leading to a pent-up demand in the Crozet area. If you’ve been thinking about selling your home, there may be no better time than the present. For more information contact Bevin today, then start packing.

BevinSellsCville@gmail.com | 434-996-8633 Roy Wheeler Realty Co. |

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

To the Editor —continued from page 3

hearing health ASSOCIATES Hearing Evaluations • Hearing Aids • Tinnitus Management

Check out this month’s blog:

Research Watch: First-In-Human Safety Study for Hearing Restoration HearingHealthAssoc.com/blog

Crozet Office:

580 Radford Lane Charlottesville, VA

Conveniently located at the Shops at Liberty Hall Tammy B. Garber, Au.D.

434.422.3196

HearingHealthAssoc.com

have to pay for problems created by other parts of Virginia. But the proposed Rain Tax is not about the Chesapeake Bay. In answer to my email, Supervisor Liz Palmer wrote that the Rain Tax is not about the Chesapeake Bay, but about Storm Water Management in Albemarle County. Supervisor Palmer cited the Mechums River. Are our county rivers in trouble? Is the Mechums River in danger? The Crozet Growth Area has substantial storm water management infrastructure. No silt should be flowing into any creeks or rivers. The Rural Area has Nature to take care of rain water. Fields, streams, and gravel roads suck up excess water. So, what is this Rain Tax all about? The Board of Supervisors calls the Rain Tax a fee. This is troubling. We all should be concerned about any off-budget revenue and expense. As opposed to an open tax, a fee is obscure, hidden from scrutiny by most property owners and can be increased without due publicity or debate. A Storm Water Management fee creates yet another agency of government with almost no transparency or taxpayer oversight. For a non-existent problem, the Board of Supervisors wants to impose a Rain Tax on every roof (house, shed, barn, etc.), every road and driveway (VDOT excluded, I guess), and on every parking lot. This would severely hurt churches, schools, small and large businesses, farmers, and all of the rest of us who would like to see government restrict its growth habit. The Board of Supervisors will be discussing this proposed Rain Tax in February. I suggest to them that if Albemarle County has a Storm Water Management crisis, they should put the problem on the list of Capital Improvements, prioritize it appropriately, and fund it from the regular Capital Improvements budget. Mollee Merrill Afton Yes “Rain Tax” We would like to respond to your January 5 editorial called

“No ‘Rain Tax’.” There are a number of erroneous claims, but mostly a misunderstanding of what polluted stormwater runoff is and how detrimental it is to the rivers, streams, and communities it pollutes. Polluted stormwater runoff from developed areas is the only growing source of pollution to the Rivanna and James Rivers, two key tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay. The editorial claims that “rainwater runoff from impervious surfaces does not significantly contribute sediment loads into surface waters.” However, the Rivanna is one of the largest sources of sediment pollution to the James and stormwater includes many other pollutants other than sediment, like toxic compounds and bacteria, which pose a major health risk to residents who swim, eat, and recreate in the rivers. In addition, according to both Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in Virginia alone, polluted runoff from impervious surfaces accounts for 762 million pounds of sediment entering Chesapeake Bay every year—that sounds significant to us. There are certainly political and policy debates to engage in regarding a stormwater pollution fee, but in our watershed, these fees have proven to be an effective mechanism for funding clean water programs. In Charlottesville, citizens had this debate throughout the 2000s as basements and streets were increasingly flooded with untreated polluted water. To address these issues, and the increase in erosion and sedimentation caused by stormwater runoff, the City of Charlottesville, like more than 20 other communities in Virginia including Prince William County, Isle of Wight County, Chesterfield County, Richmond, and Waynesboro, established its stormwater utility program as a part of its Water Resources Protection Plan in 2013. By all accounts, the program is functioning well and making progress toward meeting the goals set by Charlottesville’s City Council. www.charlottesville.org/home/ showdocument?id=54463. The impacts of polluted run-

CROZETgazette off to local streams and rivers, is significant and remediation of this pollution source is required by federal and state law. Albemarle County, like many communities nationwide, is working hard to meet and fund its legal requirements in a way that is transparent to the public and fair and equitable to all. This is reinforced by Albemarle County’s Advisory Panel, which concluded that 1) a stormwater utility is considered a fairer way to assess costs to individual properties than the value of real property, 2) it will result in a dependable and steady revenue stream that increases with community growth and will allow for long-term planning for capital investments, and 3) is preferred by federal and state regulators. We agree! Roberta (Robbi) Savage Executive Director, Rivanna Conservation Alliance William Street Executive Director, James River Association From Steve Landes I am grateful to all of the residents of Crozet who joined me at the Crozet Public Library for the first of three town hall meetings I held prior to the start of

FEBRUARY 2018 the General Assembly session. As always, I enjoyed the thoughtful questions and ideas I received from those in attendance. I would like to restate my remarks, which were misrepresented in a letter to the editor written by John Hickey that was posted in the Crozet Gazette on January 5th. Mr. Hickey wrote that I “was not sure if the results of the presidential election showing a 3 million popular vote advantage for the Democrats is accurate” and that I claimed “there were millions of fraudulent votes cast in California.” In fact I cited California as the reason President Trump did not win the popular vote in the 2016 Presidential Election. I did not claim that millions of fraudulent votes were cast in California, and it is unfortunate that Mr. Hickey is spreading this falsehood. Thanks again to all of you who joined me at our town halls. I always appreciate hearing from people about ways to improve our governance in the Commonwealth and look forward to visiting Crozet again soon once the session has adjourned in March. Steve Landes Weyers Cave

Looking to Buy or Sell in Crozet? Give Rod a Call!

UNDER CONTRACT

7130 Hampstead Drive

5967 Jarmans Gap Road Location and opportunity with this well-built home on 1.43 acres in the heart of crozet. Charming brick home with 4 BR, 2 full bath and 3300 sqft of living space. This home sits on one of the most desirable lots in crozet. The lot has an additional division right which would allow a home to be built on nearly 1 acre of this property.

Last lot available in desirable Lower Ballard area of Old Trail. This is a premium lot that has been well maintained and is ready to break ground. Great school district and close to downtown Crozet, groceries and restaurants.

$219,900 MLS#569318

$599,000 MLS#567855

Located in Downtown Crozet Rod Phillips RE/MAX Realty Specialists Owner / Agent

rodfphillips@gmail.com

434-987-6399

Happy Valentine’s Day Accutron, Bulova & Caravelle Watches Y

Lockets Y

Diamonds Y

Wedding Bands

TUEL JEWELERS – ON THE DOWNTOWN MALL –

319 East Main Street Charlottesville, VA 434-295-4258

Your Friendly Family Jewelry Store Since 1945

Rockgate Cemetery Seeks Board Members Rockgate Cemetery, just south of downtown Crozet, is seeking volunteers to serve on its board of directors. The 10-acre burial ground, established in 1914, is not affiliated with a church and is the resting place of many Crozet families. It was managed for many years by Alan Rosenkrans, and when he died, care passed to his

family members, Charles and Fran Witt and their son, Chuck. The board meets once a year and its duties include oversight of maintenance and, soon, the expansion of the available area for plots as the cemetery is rapidly filling up. For more information, write to Chuck Witt at chuckwitt29@ gmail.com.

LOVE CYCLING? Celebrate with a new bike from your local shop!

All 2017 models on SALE now!

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

MIKE MARSHALL

Shawn Bird presenting the answers to the question “How long have you lived in Crozet?” at the CCAC meeting Jan. 17. Fifty-five percent of respondents from the scientific sample moved to Crozet within the last ten years.

the Crozet Board of Trade; Jennie More, White Hall District Planning Commission representative; and Tom Guterbock, Director of U.Va.’s Center for Survey Research. “The aim was to begin the process of updating the Crozet Master Plan,” Bird explained. “We want to get the community thinking about the issues that will come up in the revision. We tried to make it as rigorous as possible—could we do a scientific sample for the survey?” Guterbock, founder of the Center for Survey Research and a local resident, was on hand for Bird’s slide presentation about survey results and assured the CCAC that he had joined Bird in providing technical expertise for the project. “I pointed out to them that they could do a scientific sample,” he said. The 2009 community survey sought volunteer responses and the powerful community response created a base of data large enough to enable statistically valid conclusions to be drawn, but that was merely for-

Survey Results —continued from page 1

strongly opposed to an expansion of the Crozet Growth Area; Crozetians support greater limits on residential growth; Crozetians are frustrated with the lack of pedestrian and cycling improvements; and Crozetians place a very high value on “small town feel” and don’t want it lost to growth. A volunteer committee formed in January of 2017 to execute the community survey on growth issues and held public planning meetings leading up to the posting of the survey in June. The survey response period was open until September. While various members of the public sat in on planning meetings, the core group of the effort settled out to be: Bird; Tim Tolson, Crozet Community Association President; Tom Loach, a CCAC member and retired Planning Commission representative from Crozet; Mike Marshall, editor of the Crozet Gazette and president of

John W. Clayton & Son Doublegrind Hardwood Mulch Pine Bark Mulch Composted Horse Manure Screened Topsoil Brick Sand Blue & Brown Driveway Gravel Custom Application of Lime & Fertilizer

Q: Below is a list of growth issues facing Crozet. Please indicate how important each one is to you. All numbers are percents

Protecting/buffering neighborhoods against dev't

Increasing availability of affordable housing

Very important

Somewhat important

Not very important

2017 Crozet Community Survey

Limiting new residential dev't

Increasing the availability of jobs in Crozet

P.O. Box 167, Ivy, VA 22945 johnwclaytonandson@earthlink.net

Protecting the water supply

12 Not important at all

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Q: There is no part of the Master Plan that cannot be changed. Below are some issues the Crozet Master Plan addresses. For each, please indicate how important each is to you. All numbers are percents Supporting existing local businesses

Increasing amount and ease of parking in downtown

2017 Crozet Community Survey

vey, were kept separate from those in the scientific sample. Only responses in the scientific sample were reported to the CCAC. The survey also had an open-ended question that allowed respondents to express personal opinions about growth issues. Some 688 statements were made, but those comments were not reviewed by the CCAC. They are being examined for ideas that should be investigated in the Crozet Master Plan revision. The cost of the survey, mainly mailing and printing expenses, were raised by donations to the Crozet Board of Trade, a civic group that raises money for community causes such as the Fourth of July fireworks show, and previously, the creation of the Crozet Historic District. “There’s no influence there about survey questions,” said Bird. “We sent them the bills and they paid them.” The survey was conducted at a total cost of about $4,000. The scientific survey drew 701 responses and the volunteer survey received 592, for a total continued on page 24

All numbers are percents

73 29

27 44

Strongly

Opposed

In Favor

2017 Crozet Community Survey

LET US BE

Q: Do you favor or oppose having the Crozet Master Plan’s current development area boundaries expanded, thereby creating more and new areas available for residential and/or commercial development?

Somewhat

YOUR GUIDE

FRESH FOOD FAST FOR LUNCH AND DINNER!

tunate and not designed. “The scientific sample gave us knowledge of who responded— we know where they live.” Twothirds of responses came from households—one response per household—in the Growth Area and one-third came from the nearby areas surrounding Crozet. That gives us the weight to say that biases did not get in, such as ‘survey stuffing.’” The scientific survey sampled opinion in the Crozet Growth Area and in the four adjoining U.S. Census Tracts. The committee sent 3,000 solicitation letters inviting participation to a random list of local households, each with a unique identification number that allowed the committee to know the geographic area the responses were coming from. The survey was also published in the Gazette—as were the final raw numbers of the question responses, (see the January issue)—so that local residents who did not receive a mailed invitation to participate could weigh in on the survey questions. Those responses, referred to as the volunteer sur-

YOUR DESTINATION

IF GOOD FOOD IS

Creating local recycling center

Not important at all

Ensuring downtown Crozet is a quality commercial center w/ diversity

Increasing commercial development along Route 250

Not very important

Somewhat important

Very important

HOMEMADE SOUPS, TACOS, FRESH SALADS, AND GRILLED SANDWICHES

CALL AHEAD FOR PICK-UP

434-989-1569 FIND US IN PIEDMONT PLACE I 2025 LIBRARY AVE, CROZET, 2ND FLR EXPLORE OUR MENU AT MORSELCOMPASS.COM

Ash Wednesday Service with Imposition of Ashes February 14, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday Worship, 10:30 a.m. Weekly followed by inter-generational “Coloring the Psalms” in the Fellowship Hall

Lenten Discussion of Dr. Walter Brueggemann’s A Way Other Than Our Own Starting February 15, Thursday through Lent 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. (brown bag lunch)

Book Group

Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving Starts February 20, Tuesdays, 1 - 2:15 pm. OR Tuesday evenings, 7 - 8:15 p.m. Space limited; call 434.823.4255 for a spot

5804 Tabor Street, Crozet www.taborpc.org

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Hometown Friendly. Multi-State Strong.

Q: The Crozet Master Plan states that Route 250 from Fox Chase to Pro Re Nata should stay as it is—that is, largely protected from more residential and commercial development. Some people say the Master plan should be changed to allow for more residential and commercial development. Which of the two statements is closer to your own view?

All numbers are percents

69 31

Allow for more development

Jay Stalfort, CLCS COMMERCIAL INSURANCE

Brian Adams COMMERCIAL INSURANCE

Protect from more development

John S. Smith Jr. PERSONAL INSURANCE

An independent insurance agency serving the needs of individuals and businesses in Albemarle and Crozet. BUSINESS | HOME | AUTO | LIFE | HEALTH

Call for a quote: (434) 977-5313 or 800 | 541-1419

630 Peter Jefferson Pkwy, Ste 300 Charlottesville, Virginia Virginia: Bedford • Bowling Green • Charlottesville • Danville • Eastern Shore • Fairfax • Fredericksburg Harrisonburg • Lexington • Lynchburg • Newport News • Portsmouth • Richmond • Roanoke • Staunton Sutherland • Winchester • Wytheville North Carolina: Asheville • Elizabeth City • Kitty Hawk • Plymouth

BankersInsurance.net

Crozet Gazette, 1/4 page color

AugustA Audiology AssociAtes is celebrAting 20 yeArs of service for your heAring heAlthcAre needs! We are the only center in the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding areas that offers complete evaluation & management of your hearing healthcare needs, including:

Complete Assessment of Hearing, The Vestibular System and Auditory Processing.

stAte-of-the-Art heAring Aid technology: To help you hear what you have been missing, our hearings aids are available in different styles and a wide range of prices for your budget! We Specialize In Custom Earmolds For: Musicians, Hunters, Swimmers, Nascar Fans, MP3 Players, Industrial Employees and MORE! Our Services Also Include: Assistive Technology For Personal Listening, T.V., and Telephone

2017 Crozet Community Survey

town feel” questions. “These are off-the-charts numbers on these questions. On the question ‘Why do you live here?’ the numbers are really overwhelming. Ninety-five percent want thoughtful town planning and good schools. They made a really conscious choice to move to Crozet. “Ninety percent want downtown as the commercial center. Eighty-six percent are concerned about parking. Only 33 percent would be okay with commercial growth on Rt. 250. Ninety–eight percent care about protecting the town water supply. Eighty-four percent want limits on residential growth. Fifty-four percent want more jobs in Crozet. Seventy-three percent are opposed to an expansion of the Growth Area.” Bird said that the survey could distinguish opinions held by those who have lived in Crozet for more than 10 years— that came to 45 percent of respondents, “long-timers”— and those who have lived here fewer than 10 years—“newcomers,” about 55 percent of respondents. While responses

Survey Results —continued from page 23

of 1,292, an impressive turnout for a town with about 2,600 households in the Growth Area. “That’s a 23 percent response rate, which is very impressive,” said Bird. “Those results give us a 4 percent margin of error, plus or minus. We did our best to produce something that would not be biased.” “Sixty-nine percent of responses came from inside the Growth Area and 31 percent from outside,” he said, so the response rates were very nearly on target with the populations the survey was designed to sample. “We got dozens of paper samples back from the Gazette and we entered the responses digitally [in the volunteer data],” Bird said. “Seventy-five percent of respondents say they follow civic issues closely and 80 percent say they participate regularly in civic organizations.” Bird characterized some the survey’s questions as “small-

Q: Do you favor or oppose commercial or industrial development near the Route 250 and I-64 interchange? All numbers are percents

We care about you and your family! We are here to serve you!

Call 540-332-5790 to schedule your appointment!

55 Somewhat

Strongly

45 19 26

Opposed

In Favor

Julie Farrar-Hersch, Ph.D., Clinical Audiologist 540-332-5790 • Augusta Health Medical Office Building 70 Medical Center Circle, Suite 204 • Fishersville, VA 22939

2017 Crozet Community Survey

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Q: Do you favor or oppose additional commercial and residential development along Route 250? All numbers are percents

63 45

37 Somewhat

Strongly

Opposed

In Favor 2017 Crozet Community Survey

from both group are in agreement, long-timers tend to hold slightly more resistant attitudes to growth, while newcomers are somewhat more receptive to commercial development, for example at the Interstate 64 Exit 104 interchange. “Sixty-six percent of newcomers are opposed to Growth Area expansion,” Bird said, offering an example, “and 81 percent of long-timers are opposed.” “On the question of downtown, 94 percent want downtown developed as the primary center of Crozet,” said Bird. “Everyone wants downtown to flourish. There is overwhelming support for downtown. It didn’t matter how you slice the data. Support from outside-theGrowth-Area respondents was just as strong. People are looking for a strong downtown Crozet.” As for commercial development along Rt. 250—the survey identified the stretch from Foxchase to Pro Re Nata Brewery as the section in question—69 percent were opposed and 31 percent were in favor,

with long-timers being even stronger in their opposition. Somewhat of an outlier from other attitudes, the question about development of the Exit 107 interchange showed that 55 percent would entertain a proposal and 45 percent were opposed to any development. “What worries people most is the main strip of 250,” Bird said. “Some people were supportive of the interchange itself. The question is somewhat vague gear because there is not a specific up at alternative proposed to the lumber yard.” “People do not want Rt. 250 to turn into Rt. 29 north,” observed CCAC member Phil Best. “In the volunteer survey, the support [for interchange development] was less, 50/50. The volunteer survey showed people with more civic engagement,” Bird noted. “In the Crozet Master Plan revision, we would really explore this dichotomy,” said Tolson. “For instance, a hotel versus light industrial uses there.” “The patterns [in responses]

Winter is for Running

continued on page 35

crozetrunning.com 434-205-4452 facebook.com/crozetrunning @CrozetRunning W E W E R E M A D E TO R U N

Located on the first floor of the Crozet Library building

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Third Thursday at The Lodge at Old Trail

BY DR. ROBERT C. REISER

crozetannals@crozetgazette.com

february 15 2:00 PM*

7th Annual Definitive Downsizing Workshop

Mother of Exiles

We are excited to present the Definitive

Downsizing Workshop, which

has proven to be one of the most popular Third Thursday’s of the year! Join us for this informative and enlightening event as our presenters share information and advice on how to organize a downsizing and how to achieve all your downsizing goals in the process. You’ll also hear from the experts on how to understand the spring real estate market, how to prepare your home for sale, how to downsize and dispose of unwanted things, how to work with an auction house and much much more. This is one event you can’t afford to miss. PRESENTERS ANDREA HUBBELL, Nest Realty LIZ BLANKENSHIP, Staging Specialist KEN FARMER, Auctioneer STEVEN LANDIS, Moving Specialist *Note new time

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Make your reservation early. RSVP to 434.823.9100 or rsvp@lodgeatoldtrail.com 330 Claremont Lane Crozet, Virginia 22932

www.lodgeatoldtrail.com INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

Ratio of the 65+ to the 15 to 64 population: The Dependancy Ratio by Country

I have been watching the immigration debate in Congress with a great deal of interest. I work in the ER of a charity hospital and so I see a lot of immigrants, both documented and undocumented. Many of my patients are refugees from terrible places. We are often the only place they can go for care. It is one of the great professional satisfactions of my life that I get to train young physicians to care for this vulnerable population and watch them bring the natural dignity and empathy of youth to the bedside of these supplicants. At the same time I see a lot of Medicare and Medicaid patients because, let’s face it, the elderly and the impoverished are high frequency consumers of health care, i.e. they are sicker than the younger, employed population. These two patient groups, the immigrants and the Medicare/ Medicaid recipients are tightly linked in an important way that should greatly inform the immigration policies of the U.S. The U.S. has two emerging demographic problems. First, our population is living longer. As the baby boomers enter old age, the number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to more than double from 46 million today to over 98 million by 2060, and the 65-and-older age group’s share of the total population will rise to nearly 24 percent from 15 percent.

In fact, the fastest growing segment of our population is those 90 years old and over. At the extreme end, the number of Americans living to 100 years old or older has increased 44 percent in recent years, from 50,281 centenarians in 2000 to 72,197 in 2014. The second problem is that far fewer babies are being born. U.S. females are becoming less fertile, as women in all societies do as they get wealthier. Put these two factors together, more older Americans and fewer young Americans, and you have a demographic time bomb. The reason this is a problem is what’s known as the dependancy ratio. The dependancy ratio is the proportion of the population in the retirement age versus the proportion of the population in the working age range. The World Bank sets this internationally as the age >65 vs the 15-64 age range to standardize comparisons across countries. The graph below shows the problem. In 2011 the dependancy ratio in the U.S. was roughly 80 workers supporting 20 non-workers. By 2030 just 55 workers will be supporting 35 non-workers and by 2050 the trend will have worsened slightly. To put it simply, there are ever more people in the cart and fewer people pulling the cart. The support I am talking about that the workers give the

CROZETgazette non -workers is primarily dollars for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. The dependency ratio is the key reason why these programs are going bankrupt so soon. Not enough workers are paying in to these programs and more people are taking dollars out of them. And yet the U.S. is actually much less negatively affected than the other westernized democracies. Take Japan as an extreme example. Japan has the same problem we do but much more intensely. They live a very long time (the longest lifespan in the world by far) and their birthrate is vanishingly small. On top of that, due to strong societal preferences, Japan has had close to zero immigration. By 2050, over 70 percent of the Japanese population will be supported by the less than 30 percent of the population in the 15-64 age range. This is known as population senesence and it is not sustainable for long. All of this hinges on fertility rates. In order have at least a steady state, with no population loss over time, each woman must have on average 2.1 children (the 0.1 is to offset infant

FEBRUARY 2018

Fertility Rates of Selected Industrialized Countries 2010

mortality). Currently the U.S. fertility rate stands at 1.82 children per woman. Still not great but compared to Japan at 1.4 kids per mom or South Korea at 1.1 kids per mom, our nation skews younger and our dependency ratio is more sustainable as we continue to feed young people into the workforce. So the key questions are why is the U.S. doing so much better than all of these other rich

countries that look like us, and how can we do even better? The answer is to the first question is immigration and the answer to the second question is more immigration. Lets look at the facts as gathered by the Pew Research Center. The increase in U.S. births since 1970 has been driven entirely by births to immigrant mothers.Â In 1970 the annual

number of U.S. births stood at 3.74 million. By 2014, the number had risen 7 percent to 4 million. During that same time, the annual number of births to immigrant women tripled, from 274,000 to 901,000. Meanwhile, births to U.S.-born women declined from 3.46 million to 3.10 million. In other words, were it not for the increase in births to immigrant continued on page 33

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Westward Expansion: Upgrades at Henley and WAHS a diagonal with the left-side entrance doors opening into a small lobby decorated with a gallery of student art, lending the whole foyer a contemporary flair. “The glass will really brighten up that front office space,” said Matt Wertman of Albemarle County Building Services, manager of both the Henley and WAHS projects. “To me, it’s very welcoming and inviting.” Henley’s former central office area will be transformed into a low-intensity learning space for class activities involving collaborative work groups, and a high-intensity learning lab will be installed in another classroom on the building’s north corridor. “The ‘high-intensity’ designation means more equipment such as sinks, as well as certain types of furniture that will accommodate science experiments and project-based learning,” said Wertman. The principal’s office and an adjoining conference room will be moved closer to the front entrance, and five skylights will brighten the front and north side hallways. The media center will also receive updates, including new furniture and a digital project lab. The total projected cost of the security and modernization projects for the school is about $1.9 million, with the construction timeline running from June until December of 2018. The interior modernization work will be prioritized this summer while students are away, and the entrance renovation will extend into the fall. A temporary entrance will be

by Lisa Martin

lisamartin@crozetgazette.com

Riding the last wave of school project funding from Albemarle County’s 2016 Bond Referendum are two sets of sleek and much-needed upgrades for Henley Middle School and Western Albemarle High School. Slated to break ground as soon as the semester ends in June, these projects bring both security and modernization enhancements to the two largest western district schools.

Henley security and modernization plans A portion of the referendum funds was specifically designated for improved entrance security for all county schools, ensuring that visitors are funneled directly into the school’s front office before being able to enter the rest of the school property. This process allows for proper identification and monitoring of all school visitors, volunteers, and contractors. Henley and Murray High School are the last two to receive these security upgrades, and Henley’s will be particularly striking. The building’s main entrance, currently recessed into the front facade, will be bumped out as the administrative office staff space is moved forward, across the main front hall into an elegant, glass-walled reception area overlooking the lawn shade trees outside. Instead of running parallel to the sidewalk, the windowed front panel will be set at

MONITOR

COLLAB

TOILET

MARKER BOARD W ALL

COLLAB

C TOILET

CONFERENCE

MARKER BOARD W ALL

LARGE FOLDING TABLE

TOILET

MULTIPURPOSE TOILET

CLINIC

DATA

TOILET

OFFICE

LEARNING LAB

OFFICE PRINCIPAL

MARKER BOARD W ALL

OFFICE

SKY LIGHT

OFFICE

MONITOR

DISPLAY W ALL

SKY LIGHTS

DISPLAY W ALL

LEARNING LAB AND OFFICES 1/8" = 1'-0"

HENLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

LEARNING LAB AND OFFICES

12/14/2017

Henley’s modernization upgrades will include learning labs and collaborative spaces. Photo courtesy of Albemarle County Building Services.

PRINTER

VESTIBULE

LOBBY GALLERY RECEPTION STUDENT DISPLAY W ALL

EXISTING FURNITURE TO BE RELOCATED

ENTRANCE / SECURITY 1/8" = 1'-0"

HENLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

ALBEMARLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

ENTRANCE / SECURITY 12/14/2017

Henley’s security upgrade will feature an modern glass-walled reception entrance. Photo courtesy of Albemarle County Building Services.

established in the school’s north (right-hand side) wing during construction. Henley, built in 1966, is the largest middle school in the county, currently serving over 800 students from four elementary schools and projected to top 900 students within the next five years. Principal Beth Costa can’t wait for the upgrades. “We are ecstatic about the opportunities these new spaces will provide our students and teachers,” she said. “Our teachers are very interested in identifying cross-curricular connections, developing projects, and elevating the work they have been doing for some time. It’s exciting to consider what experiences we can guarantee for all students.” Costa is looking forward to the security addition as well. “The exterior of our school will be open, welcoming, and most importantly, safer,” she said.

New science wing and remodeled classrooms at WAHS Over at the high school, a larger set of renovations is in the final stages of design and development with local architecture firm VMDO. Seven classrooms in the current science wing will be remodeled and updated from their 40-year-old state, changing out the lighting, furniture, casework, and finishes, and providing more collaborative work spaces. In an area currently housing two biology classrooms and a physics room, walls will be removed and corridors opened up, and a high-intensity

lab space will be installed to make the area more open and flexible. Even more exciting is the addition of a 10,000 square foot wing to support the Environmental Science Academy (ESA), complete with three new labs and other support areas for offices, storage, and team activities. Adam Mulcahy, horticulture and environmental law teacher and director of the ESA, says the expansion will fit the program’s needs and will arrive just in time. “The goals are to have flexible spaces, interdisciplinary learning, and modern technology in these classrooms,” said Mulcahy. “These new spaces will help enormously as the program continues to grow.” The academy currently has 130 students enrolled, with its first class preparing to graduate in the spring. Next year the ESA will add another half-cohort to the total, and the county’s planned pilot program to bus students who need transportation to the various academies may add previously unavailable students to the mix as well. The new addition will extend at an angle out from the existing science wing at the rear of the school, adjacent to the Shop area and across the parking lot from the ESA greenhouse. “It’s going to be a little tight for the next year no matter what, but the new addition will alleviate that pressure,” said Mulcahy. The placement of the new ESA wing and the addition of sidewalks or paths from there back to the ESA greenhouse building will make a more cohesive unit, and there are plans for

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

www.charlottesvilleselfstorage.net • Onsite Resident Manager • More Secure with Coded Gate NEW • Well-lit for Your Convenience CLIMATE CO N T R O L L E D • A Fully Paved and UNITS Fenced Facility Your Neighborhood Self Storage at Crozet Call Marsha Hall Greene to Rent or Reserve Today ADDITION | VIEW OF SOUTH FACADE

PICTORIAL VIEWS

Architectural rendering of the view of the new WAHS Environmental Science Academy wing from the south side, facing the current ESA greenhouse. Photo courtesy of Albemarle County Building Services.

a stormwater swale with plantings in the center of the back parking lot as a place for runoff water to drain. The county is currently assembling documents and finalizing designs with VMDO, and expects to post sets of plans in February and receive contractor bids by late March. Construction begins in June and will proceed in phases over 15 months to accommodate classes. “Approximately half of

the classroom renovation work will be done this summer and the second half next summer, while work on the addition will span the full timeframe,” said Wertman. Beyond the seven science classrooms to be renovated, six additional classrooms will be receiving more cosmetic upgrades, and the total project cost is projected to be $7.1 million, all completed in time for the 2019-20 school year.

434-823-2340 5390 Three Notch’d Rd | Crozet, VA 22932

WAHS plans for science room upgrades and a new ESA wing. Photo courtesy of Albemarle County Building Services.

ADDITION | VIEW OF NORTH FACADE AND WORK TERRACE

PICTORIAL VIEWS

Architectural rendering of the view of the new WAHS Environmental Science Academy wing from the north side. Photo courtesy of Albemarle County Building Services.

Ages 2 ½ - 5

A gentle, safe and loving atmosphere for young children to begin to explore the world and to prepare for kindergarten.

Summer Camp Ages 3 - 6

Experience Mindfulness through Meditation Wednesdays at 7 PM Come join us! Beginners welcome

whitehallmeditation.org

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

Preschool

Close to Crozet, Charlottesville & UVA NUMEROUS SCHEDULE OPTIONS Half Day, Extended Day & Full Day Programs

DISCOVER... CREATE... HAVE FUN!

(434) 979-2111 www.millstoneofivy.com

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Western Albemarle Fourth Quarter Real Estate Report

Crozet House Sales Keep Booming by david ferrall | ferrall@crozetgazette.com

Last year was the strongest ever for real estate sales in Crozet. Ever. There were 313 residential sales in 2017, up 11 percent from the 282 sales in 2016. And while transactions of pre-existing homes were up slightly, it was the 26 percent jump in new construction sales that was eye-popping. Thirty-six percent of all homes sold last year in Crozet were new, up from 32 percent in 2016. The house count in Crozet is growing, and there seems to be no prospect of a slowdown. In Albemarle County as a whole, total sales were up 7 percent, with the average sales price up 8.2 percent to just over $450,000 (see table provided courtesy of Nest Realty). The average price of all sales in Crozet last year was $461,000, which was up 5 percent from 2016. Prices continue to rise in Crozet, the number of days a new listing is on the market continues to decrease, and inventory is dropping. As in 2016, economic factors remained very favorable for real estate sales and construction in 2017. While average mortgage rates were a bit higher in 2017, they still hovered just below 4 percent on average, and at times were within .5 percent or so of historic lows. It remains a great time to borrow money for a home purchase. Construction costs rose, but still averaged around $103/sqft nationally, according the National Association of Home

Builders. Costs are currently increasing, though at a somewhat accelerated pace heading into 2018, due to labor shortages (because of all the new construction), material demand and shortages as a result of last year’s historic hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires. If material supplies and labor shortages don’t work themselves out, new construction costs will continue to rise. Old Trail continues to be the neighborhood leading in new construction, with 55 units built there last year (the same number built there in 2016). Thirty-eight homes were built in Westlake and Foothills in 2017. Hopefully 2018 will see the opening of the Eastern Avenue connector road between these two neighborhoods and Three Notch’d Road. Chesterfield Landing had 10 sales last year, and clearing has started on adjacent land for the

For over 35 years, the Green Olive Tree, Inc. has gladly accepted donations of toys, shoes, clothing, household goods, books, linens, and kitchen items that are available to the community at low prices.

neighborhood’s expansion. The average price for a newly constructed, detached home in Crozet rose 5 percent to $637,000, and the house size increased as well to 3315sqft. Attached/townhome new construction jumped 38 percent to an average price of $442,000. But the size rose 34 percent as well to 2330sqft, which helps explain the large price jump. The lower price/size averages of 2016 included a handful of smaller 1 and 2 bedroom units sold in Old Trail that year. Somewhat surprisingly, the average price for a re-sale property in Crozet dropped slightly year to year, from $403,000 in 2016, to $402,000 last year. And the days-on-market rose from 57 to 61! While this seems to run counter to other trends, current buyers are certainly lamenting the lack of inventory and the speed with which new listings go under contract.

Discover the joy of making music together with your family!

Please visit us anytime! The third full week of every month is a $10 bag sale (tax included). Looking forward to your visit!

www.greenolivetreecrozet.com • 434-823-4523 CHRISTIAN THRIFT STORE

100% VOLUNTEER, NON-PROFIT, SERVING SINCE 1979

BUSINESS HOURS: MON. - SAT. 11 AM - 4 PM

Charlottesville · Crozet blueridgemusictogether.com 434) 293-6361

There were four sales over $1 million in 2017—the same number as in 2016—the most expensive being a $1.8m equestrian property of 54 acres on Dick Woods Road. There were 21 land sales in 2017, again matching the figure from the prior year. Land prices are creeping up, and availability is not surprisingly declining. Rising land prices are also helping to fuel new construction cost. There were only five distressed sales in 2017 (foreclosures, short sale and lender-owned properties), down from seven in 2016. Heading into 2017, local realtors and their clients were fretting over availability and affordability. Those worries continue as we roll into 2018. According to the National Association of Realtors, the number of existing homes for sale has dropped for 30 straight continued on page 35

Co nt a ct us to a c vi s it las s!

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Sentara Crozet Family Medicine

FIVE HOUSE NEWS CVFD Sees Staffing Crisis on the Horizon by Brian Cohen Despite tremendous population growth around Crozet, the much-loved, century-old, all-volunteer Crozet Volunteer Fire Department, which now answers 750 calls a year, faces a looming personnel crisis. Two years: that’s when recruitment manager Elise Lindquist estimates the town’s fire department will suffer a net reduction in staff due to attrition, mainly due the the retirement of senior members. She’s looking especially for men and women in their 20s and 30s to step in, and it wouldn’t have to be for long. “If people give five strong years, that’s good,” said Lindquist, a five-year member herself. She understands the burdens of families and jobs facing potential volunteers. “Moving into a new community can be overwhelming. They may not immediately have the responsibilities that older firefighters do.” For decades, Crozet was the archetypical small town, where everyone knew and looked out for each other. Crozetians knew each other from working together in the orchards and

Morton Frozen Foods, and shopping at the IGA. Many say there was a greater sense of community back then. Most of the orchards and Morton are long gone. Since Crozet was designated as a high-density growth area in Albemarle County’s Comprehensive Plan, its population has multiplied from 2,500 to more than 8,500. “Years ago, most of the guys were good old boys, rednecks,” said Butch Snead, a 48-year CVFD veteran. “They worked together and fished together and hunted together. It’s a different atmosphere today.” Attitudes toward firefighting and misconceptions about department roles have dampened volunteerism. The shift to a predominantly white-collar work force (a county and national trend, as well) has given the department a blue-collar stigma, according to Albemarle County Division Chief for Volunteer Services Tom LaBelle. That may explain why many parents of volunteering high schoolers are steering their kids away from the fire station. And not everyone wants to actually fight fires. “Don’t want continued on page 33

HOURS: Monday-Tuesday 8am-5:30pm Wednesday-Friday 8am-5pm X-Ray Services Available On Site

Russ Sawyer, MD • Amie Munson, MD Anthony Martinez, MD • Anne Boyland, NP

New Patients Welcome!

434-823-4567 • 1646 Park Ridge Drive • Crozet A member of Sentara Martha Jefferson Medical Group

Mulch & Compost Double Ground Hardwood Mulch Pine Bark Mulch Black, Red, Brown & Natural Colored Mulch Organic Compost

CROZET, VIRGINIA

434-466-2682

Brownsville your neighborhood market BREAKFAST

STARTING AT 5AM Biscuits Bagels Croissants Sausage Country Ham

Ready Coffee’s am! at 4:30 0 am)

(Sundays

at 5:3

Bacon Pork Tenderloin Steak Biscuits Egg & Cheese Fresh Coffee

Come Tr yO HOME ur Famous FRIED MADE CHICK EN!

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

A Super Bowl of Vivid Verbs by Clover Carroll | clover@crozetgazette.com

satisfy our urge to triumph over an adversary. Of course, in basketball a “shootout” might be meant literally as well as figuratively (although even the idea of “shooting a basket” is itself a metaphor, comparing the ball to a bullet). But these dramatic headlines aren’t always war-related. “Seahawks’ Comeback Crumbles as Falcons Hold On for Win,” declared the New York Times. And after a 2012 upset, they wrote “For the Lions, a Rare Feast Amid Decades of Famine.” In women’s basketball, “Cavaliers Handle Tar Heels for Seventh ACC Victory” (DP). Tennis star “Madison Keys Surges into Quarterfinals” (NYT), and in hockey, the “Flyers Slip by Caps” (DP). When Mallory Pugh stood out in the National Women’s Soccer win over Denmark, the San Diego Union Tribune bragged “Teen Sparks Romp by U.S.” And for closer games, “Cavaliers Edge Spiders” (DP) while a “Late Burst Lifts Cavs” (DP)—conjuring the image of a bursting balloon sending those Lady Cavaliers vaulting over their opponents! We can get downright emotional about our team loyalties—emotion that is well captured by these vivid action verbs. The whole idea of an “upset” is an emotional way to characterize a surprise win or loss. Furthering the psychological metaphor, one team “dominates” the other, while the loser “succumbs.” The Celtics were “humbled” by Inverness Caledonian Thistle to win the Scottish Cup in 2000. Across the pond, “Magic Shocks Celtics” in basketball (NYT), or “Cavaliers Stifle Visiting Tigers” gloats the Progress. And when one team prevents the other from even scoring, the game is a “shutout,” with the loser becoming an outsider, an alien. These vivid expressions are a fun and relatively harmless way to release our aggressions; fans of a winning team might proudly boast, “We gave them a drubbing,” even though an actual fistfight would be unacceptable. Of course, at this time of year these hyperbolic headlines reach

a fever pitch. Last month, it began with “Jaguars Stun Steelers…to Earn Trip to AFC Title G a m e ” while “Vikings Top Saints … with Last-Play Stunner” (Washington Post)… a lot of stunning going on! But in the championship game itself, Jacksonville came “unraveled” in its “heartbreaker” loss to the New England Patriots (NYT)—more psychology! Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles’ NFC win was celebrated around the country with “Eagles Blow Out Vikings to Earn…Third Trip to Super Bowl” (LA Times); “The Eagles will be playing for their first NFL Title after Crushing the Vikings”— a game which “catapulted” them to the Super Bowl (NYT); “Foles Leads Eagles to Rout (also Trouncing) of Minnesota” (Daily Progress); and “Eagles Blast Vikings” (Washington Post). But no blood was spilled! I haven’t even touched on all the puns and other wordplay

used in sports headlines, many of which can be found at Sports Illustrated’s “100 Greatest Moments in Sports History” (www.si.com/100-greatest). A few favorites include “Tiger Burning Bright” when Woods broke records at Pebble Beach in 2000, the Steelers’ 1972 “Immaculate Reception,” and “King Arthur” Ashe winning the 1968 U.S. Open. So which team will be trounced, clobbered, or mauled this year? Tune in on February 4 to find out! I guess this larger-than-life language is in keeping with the larger-than-life athletes, crowd, ads, and halftime show at the Super Bowl itself—offering something for everyone, even an indifferent sports fan like me. But even if I miss the game, I sure can’t wait to read the headlines!

SUBMITTED

I’m usually not a big sports fan, but I do enjoy the dramatic language sports writers use to describe plays, outcomes, and rivalries— often contributing the most vivid verbs and colorful language in the newspaper. I am on the edge of my seat as I read the next morning’s over-the-top headlines, which range from brilliant to ludicrous as the winners hammer, bury, rip, or even annihilate their opponents. This wild language reflects the freedom from restraint we all feel as we watch sporting events, where we can let loose to yell, eat, and party hearty to celebrate wins or mourn losses by our favorite teams. No staid rules of etiquette or moderation in language use here! In keeping with our innate tribal mentality and the intense rivalries between teams, sports headlines are often based on the metaphor of battle: even the basic verb “beat” conveys a hint of violence. A big game might be described as a “struggle,” a “showdown,” or even a “shootout.” The Cavs and the Rams are “Ready to Rumble” and even in high school sports, “Charlottesville Battles Past Monticello” (Daily Progress). A wide point spread is touted with “Cardinals Clobber the Mets” (New York Times), “Spurs Crush Skidding Heat” (San Diego Union Tribune), or “Virginia Mauls Clemson” (DP). “Wilma Storms Rome,” crowed the 1960 Sports Illustrated headline as Rudolph became the first American female track and field athlete to win three gold medals in one Olympics. After the 2014 World Cup, MetroSport reported that “Germany Tears Brazil to Pieces” and the Bleacher Report agreed that “Germany’s 7-1 dismantling of Brazil … was complete.” In more recent soccer news, “Madrid Trounces La Coruna” (NYT). Of course these words are not to be taken literally, but metaphorically, with sporting events serving as a stand-in for true battle, a controlled way to

Bodhi with some of the recycling he has collected

Hazard Dude —continued from page 13

So far, the business has been a success. In a few months, Bodhi has bicycled over to a couple dozen porches: “I’m a great bicycle rider,” he acknowledged.

He spends some of his earnings and saves half to attend an outdoor camp he loves in West Virginia. Reach the Dude of Hazard via Nextdoor, the Facebook page (which has a full list of items accepted), or call or text 434-249-0743.

CROZETgazette

Medicine

—continued from page 27

women, the annual number of U.S. births would have declined since 1970. Immigrant women have higher fertility rates than U.S.born women. In 2014, there were 58.3 births per 1,000 U.S.-born women ages 15 to 44; by contrast, there were 84.2 births per 1,000 foreign born women in this age group. U.S. births outside of marriage have declined since 2008, primarily among immigrant women. Over the long term, non-marital births had been on the rise in the U.S. In 2014, 40 percent of all U.S. births were to unmarried women, up from 21percent of births in 1984. Among foreign-born women, the share of births that occurred outside of marriage hit a high of 37 percent in 2008 and has since fallen steadily. Among U.S.-born women, the share of babies born outside of marriage has held steady over that same period. While foreign-born women have always been less likely to have babies outside of marriage than U.S.-born women, the roughly 10-percentage-point gap in this measure in 2014 (42 percent vs. 33 percent) is the widest since data became available in 1984. The immigration debate is nuanced and multi-faceted, but one thing is clear. The longterm financial health of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security for all of us citizens lies in the robust welcoming of immigrants that has always been one of this country’s founding ideals.

FEBRUARY 2018

Five House —continued from page 31

to go into a burning building? That’s fine,” said LaBelle. “The vast majority of work is preparing before the fire and cleanup after. We need someone to pick up the hoses when we’re done.” LaBelle said volunteers with all kinds of skills are needed, such as accountants, executives, cooks, plumbers, marketers, contractors, and other people with office and trade skills. Volunteers also face increased federal, state, and county certification regulations. LaBelle said there was a time when two weekends of training would have been sufficient for firefighting basics. Now it takes 200 hours, although much of it could be completed online. So why would millennials want to join the fire department? “Two things,” said LaBelle. “They get to put their passion to work here, and it changes. I mean, when the cops need help, they call us. There’s instantaneous gratification. When you get bored, we ask, ‘What do you want to do? Rock on!’ How many bosses are going to ask that?” The recognition is pretty sweet, too. Lindquist, 29 and a personal banker, said, “When was the last time you went to a banker parade?” Pointing to Lindquist, LaBelle said, “She’s the department secretary and a firefighter. She is a corporate-level officer in a multi-million dollar company—in five years. You’re not going to see that in other organizations.” Finally, there’s the satisfaction The New Colossus of being plugged into a community. LaBelle, a third-generation Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, firefighter, said that when he With conquering limbs astride from l and to land; helps other people, he thinks of Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand them as family. Lindquist agreed A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame that she feels part of a vast Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name brotherhood/sisterhood. How would someone know if Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand they were meant for this? Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command LaBelle suggested signing up for The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. a ride-along, which requires no “Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she training. “You’ll know,” he said. With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, “The rush is like no other.” Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, If you are at least 16 years old and want more information The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. about joining the Crozet Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, Volunteer Fire Department, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” visit crozetfire.org/join-us, or -Emma Lazarus call 434-823-4759.

• Half-day for 2 ½ years to Pre-K • Friendly, Loving, & Experienced Staff • Nurturing, Christian Environment • Affordable Rates • Pre-K Spanish Enrichment

Serving Crozet & Surrounding Areas Since 1980

CALL TODAY! 434-823-4622 We Offer Duct Cleaning

Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

24 HOUR ANSWERING SERVICE

“Where Quality Counts” 5391 Three Notched Road, Crozet, VA 22932

Shenandoah Valley's premiere outdoor store since 1987.

1461 E. Main Street • Waynesboro • 22980

540-943-1461 • RockfishGapoutfitteRs.com

rgical family h.

tients.

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

By John Andersen, DVM gazettevet@crozetgazette.com

Maybe it’s YOUR Dog! I got my first dog—my first dog as an all-by-myself-grown-upadult, that is— when I was in my second year of veterinary school at Virginia Tech. “Kaya” was an incredible dog and she came into my life as an 8-month-old rescue from the Roanoke SPCA. As challenging as the veterinary school curriculum is, you are still a professional student, and thus your life is filled with plenty of flexible time to go walking and hiking with your dog. In fact, many of my memories of vet school involve the large amounts of time that many of my classmates and I would all take our dogs to a local corn field/cross country area behind the veterinary school and have huge dog play dates. We were probably an obnoxious crew to encounter—5 to 10 students with at least that many dogs all running off-leash and having a blast. And so it was that Kaya, at least in her younger years with me, was very well-socialized with other dogs. When Kaya was about a yearand-a-half old however, I noticed that the dog walks started to get a bit testy at times. Some walks were the usual great time, but some would end with a minor dog squabble or two, mostly involving my sweet Kaya

girl. “That dog was such a jerk!” I would think after the first handful of altercations. “Their dog must have some mental problems or just not be very well socialized!” Soon I learned that I had to be a bit more on guard because it seemed like Kaya was getting into a fair amount of minor dog fights compared to the first few months that I had her. Then I remember the day that I was walking through the corn fields with Kaya off-leash and we saw one of my friends and his dog. “Oh good,” I thought, “not too many dogs to deal with.” As we approached, Kaya ran forward and briskly greeted his dog and then promptly, without any provocation, proceeded to attack my friend’s poor dog until I ran over to break it up. His dog was fine, but I was horrified. “How could my dog do this? She’s been so well socialized! And my friend’s dog was nice! Oh no…my dog is a jerk!” Fast forward several years, and I had a full-fledged my-dogisn’t-friendly-with-other-dogs dog. By the time she was two years old, I found that I could never take her to dog parks or let her off-leash with other dogs because she would always seem to get upset and start a fight with another dog. Even on-leash, if we passed another

Celebrating over 30 years of service to our local area We provide medical, surgical and Dental care for your family pet with a loving touch. We are now taking new patients. Call us to set up an appointment today! Medical • Surgical • Dentistry Boarding • Grooming • Laser Therapy Acupuncture • Herbal Rx • Digital Radiology House Calls • Comprehensive In-House Lab

1263 Parkview Drive, Crozet, 22932

434-823-4300 www.crozetvet.com

dog, she would turn vicious and growl and lunge at the other dog and its unsuspecting owner. Once, she even bolted out our front door and bit one of our friend’s dogs as they were walking by on the sidewalk. She opened up the poor dog’s shoulder and I had to stitch her back up! How embarrassing! Despite the fact that Kaya was the sweetest and most trustworthy dog with people and children, she was simply terrible with other dogs. I openly tell this story because this is a very common story out there for many dog owners as their dog matures. All puppies get along. Puppies are generally carefree and are usually more interested in playing than posturing for any dominance. However, as dogs reach 1 to 2 years of age, they start to develop more of a sense of identity of where they will fall as an adult dog in the social hierarchy spectrum. Some dogs stay eternally submissive. They quickly defer to other dogs and often will lie on their backs and expose their belly if another dog comes over to greet. These dogs are usually also eternally playful and are rarely “jerks” with other dogs. Some dogs however, are the dominant ones. These are the dogs, if we go back to their wolf ancestry, that would be the alpha male and female in a pack. They are more aggressive and assertive with other dogs and they do not waste time letting other dogs know where they stand. They are also not afraid to use their teeth to reinforce their claim as the top dog on the streets. These traits, dominance or submissiveness, are inherent in any dog as soon as they are born. Sure, some of their upbringing can influence their behavior, but generally they are born with a certain personality type and by default will be that way as adults. I have many owners who come to me quite distressed as their 2-year-old dog is simply

not getting along well with other dogs. They share stories of horror as they can no longer bring their dog to the dog park or of how their dog attacked their brother’s dog at their house. “What did we do wrong?” My honest answer to these people is, “Nothing. Your dog is just a jerk!” Or maybe I put it a bit more diplomatically by telling them that their dog is simply an Alpha and that he/ she came out of the box this way. It may not sound like a very helpful first response, but I do believe that its crucial for these owners to start by realizing that this dominant, aggressive behavior is simply your dog’s natural tendency towards other dogs. Once we can accept that, then we can move on with how to manage the behavior and hopefully improve it. Many owners assume that all dogs should be able to play wild at a dog park and get along with all dogs so long as it has been socialized and “raised right,” but in my opinion, this is far from the truth. Dogs will be dogs and even under loving, spoiling conditions, you may find that your once perfect puppy has now become the neighborhood bully. There are a lot of tips and tricks on working with these behaviors that can be shared by your veterinarian, a behaviorist, or an experienced friend. Kaya spent the remainder of her days as a dog who lived a spoiled life and got tons of exercise, but just could never be let off leash or taken to a dog park. Her life went on, as did her deep hatred for other dogs. She was the sweetest dog to our son when he was born and in his toddler years, and ultimately she got along just fine when we brought home another puppy. In the end, dogs are like spouses—you can’t change their personality, as much as you may want to. And once you accept them for who they are, you can learn to live happily together without anyone getting bit.

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Brann

Williams

lessons while also facilitating the language connections in their brains. She also loves to incorporate French culture into her classes, exposing the students to everything from French food to music to styles of play. “It’s so cute to see their reactions to new things,” said Brann. “Some are not sure at first, and others jump in headlong, but the best part is when I see a peer teaching a peer. It’s so important that they feel they’re in a comfortable space, free to make mistakes and help each other, and that’s what we emphasize at this school.” Magnifique, Madame Brann!

staffed by teachers, coaches, and a nutritionist. A half-day camp offered at a half-dozen local schools and centered around lots of fun physical activity, it’s a setting where Williams can also share his love of healthy eating with the kids by offering plantbased foods and demonstrating alternatives to fast food. “We try to show them options by bringing in samples from places like Juice Laundry, Chipotle, and Mezeh,” he said. “Stix came in and brought veggie kabobs and hummus, and the kids loved it.” Williams’ knack for combining healthy choices with humor, music, and enthusiasm has made him a hometown hero to local families.

—continued from page 6

Survey Results —continued from page 25

stay the same when the questions are analyzed according to whether the respondent is a long-timer/newcomer or lives inside or outside the Growth Area,” Bird said. “It’s not really surprising,” said White Hall District Supervisor Ann Mallek, “because people here want to work together.” The complete 25-slide presentation Bird made to the CCAC can be seen at the Crozet Community Association’s website, crozetcommunity.org.

—continued from page 7

Real Estate —continued from page 30

months, and nationwide inventory is at a dangerously low 3.4 months. New construction permits continue to increase for single-family homes, but the cost for these homes continues to increase, faster than household income is rising. What these conflicting factors will mean for Crozet remains to be seen, but if the national economy continues to advance, the local real estate market will as well.

CLIP THIS AD & GET

$20 OFF

YOUR FIRST VISIT! • Routine health care • Advanced surgical, medical & dental procedures • Family-friendly office— bring the kids! • Traveling Vet available for housecalls

Dr. Michael Rose Dr. Kim Bohne Dr. John Andersen Dr. Kristin Heilmeier

Masons Raise $640 for WARS King Soloman’s Masonic Lodge No.194 in Crozet held what is called a table lodge Dec. 27 that drew 30 Masons from around the area and raised $640 for the Western Albemarle Rescue Squad. Masons Brandon Black and Craig Spicer flank WARS President Bill Wood for the check presentation Jan. 9.

Get to know us on Facebook!

434-979-DOGG

1193 5th Street SW • Charlottesville, 22902 • cvillevet.com

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

inthegarden@crozetgazette.com

Snowdrops, with or without Snow I’d long assumed that snowdrops were named for their ability to push through a shallow snow cover and to bloom in winter. In fact, in France they’re given the name pierce niege, or “snow-piercing.” These diminutive members of the Amaryllis family can indeed emerge through the snow, but the name “snowdrop” (the genus Galanthus) actually comes from the flower buds’ resemblance to a “drop” of snow. Or perhaps a more intriguing explanation: when in bud the flowers resemble the pearl earrings of the 16th and 17th centuries, popularly known as Schneetropfen in German and translating to “snow drops.” (Think Girl With a Pearl Earring.) The Greekderived name Galanthus translates to “milk flower.” Nomenclature aside, these little flowers are a welcome sign that winter is on its way out. Not that cold weather and snow won’t persist for a while, of course. The roughly twenty species of Galanthus are native to Europe and Asia, from the Pyrenees eastward to the Levant; the Caucasus is home to the greatest diversity of species. Planted for many years outside their natural range, they have thoroughly naturalized in the U.K. From late January into March, England and Scotland celebrate the snowdrops’ bloom in dozens of gardens that open their gates to the public. All snowdrops have a single flower with six

tepals—similar to petals, so I’ll stick with that term—with three of these somewhat smaller than the others. The flower hangs downward on a stalk four to ten inches high, with two narrow strap-like leaves at the base. Among snowdrop fanatics, aka “galanthophiles,” upwards of 500 cultivars are known— and they’re always looking for more. The more unusual among these can easily cost $40 or $50 per bulb, while the record price paid is approximately $500. Not quite tulipomania or orchid fever, but the symptoms are the same. To the casual observer many of the differences among the cultivars are difficult to detect. After all, even on the Giant Snowdrop—the name is something of an exaggeration—flowers are only about an inch long. You could be searching for slight variations in the size of green blotches on the petals, or perhaps a double flower instead of the typical single. And to actually observe these differences, you might need to get down on your knees, or at least reach down and turn the flower upwards. One of the somewhat more conspicuous traits in some cultivars is a yellow cap on top of the flower; actually the ovary, it’s green on the typical snowdrops. If you indeed catch the galanthophile bug, you can purchase some at carolynsshadegardens.com. It’s also a fun place just to window shop. For those who have retained a modicum of sanity, snowdrop buying can be a lot simpler. Most general-interest catalogs

Snowdrops

or garden centers will carry fewer than ten species or cultivars. Galanthus nivalis, the Common Snowdrop, grows to 6” to 9” and has narrow leaves. Blooming between January and March, it naturalizes better than most species. The Giant Snowdrop (G. elwesii) is a bit taller at 9” to 12”, with wider gray-green leaves that I find attractive in themselves. It flowers about one week later than G. nivalis, with one notable exception: the variety monostictus flowers from late fall into winter. Last November I attended a meeting of the North American Rock Garden Society in Durham that included a visit to Montrose, the garden of Nancy Goodwin in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Montrose is known for its rivers of snowdrops, and they did not fail to put on quite the show. Snowdrops prefer good welldrained soil in sun to partial shade; a canopy of tall deciduous trees would provide ideal conditions. Plant about 3” deep and equally far apart. They can be divided when in full growth, just after flowering is over. Goodwin digs an entire clump, roots and all; she immediately

puts them in water to avoid drying, then plants and waters again. Speaking of clumps: with something as small as snowdrops, either go big or go home. Plant at least 25, preferably 50, even more if you can manage it. My clump of ten(?) looks a bit lonely, but at least it’s near the front door where we can easily enjoy it. I should order more soon for planting next fall; one of the more plain-vanilla varieties will set me back only about $35 for 50 bulbs from Brent and Becky’s. Snowdrops will certainly impress in drifts by themselves, but also team up well with other plants that bloom at the same time. Bulbocodium vernum provides a purplish pink contrast, as do Crocus tommasinianus (available in several varieties), Cyclamen coum and Cyclamen hederifolium. Hellebores provide a bold counterpoint to snowdrops; just watch that they don’t overrun their little companions as they proliferate. A bonus to planting Galanthus: being poisonous, they’re not likely to be bothered by critters. Sorry, Bambi.

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

CLINIC

Each month a prize-winning photograph from the archives of the Crozet Calendar will be published together with a story from the photographer of how the image was made and commentary by Sam Abell about the merits of the photograph. By Sam Abell Fred Williamson’s photograph of the forest along the Moormans River beneath a blanket of a late winter snow was made near his home in Sugar Hollow. “We’ve lived in Sugar Hollow since 1988,” said Williamson. “During those decades I’ve been documenting—as an amateur photographer—the special scenes I see. I saw this scene on my way to Crozet and hoped it would still be there, unchanged, when I returned an hour later. It was! I raced to my house, got my camera and returned to the bridge. I documented the scene looking both upstream and downstream. Later I chose the upstream view because of the visual energy of the onrushing river. Likewise, I photographed the scene in both horizontal and vertical formats then later chose horizontal. I like the way the trees frame the river. I also like the contrast between the stillness of the snow and the motion of the water.” Williamson also mentioned the particular quality of the snow. “It was a late season snowfall—deep, wet and clinging to every branch. We called it a ‘Dr. Zhivago snowfall’ because it so transformed the landscape and buildings at our homestead.” The photograph has immediate pictorial appeal. But where does that come from? Is it one of those scenes that takes its own picture? No. It comes from the factors Fred mentioned and some he did not. The framing power of the forest takes viewers straight into the subject of the picture—the river—and holds them there. The contrast between stillness and motion is also a subtle factor. So, too, is point of view— upstream, with the river coming toward us, not departing downstream. Format also matters. By excluding the sky the horizontal format compresses the trees and river into a highly concentrated composition from which there is no escape. These are all important factors, but also factors that are present every day at this scene. What makes the picture ‘work’ is the unique weather—the thick, gently clinging snowfall—of this particular day. That rings a bell with me. In 1959, as a boy of 14, I made what many people think is the best photograph of my life. It’s of my dad watching a train depart from a snow covered train station in northern Ohio. Icicles hang from the roof of the station; steam from the departing train fills the air; my dad buttons his coat against the cold.

Fred Williamson’s photo of the Moormans River in Sugar Hollow was featured for January 2017.

The photograph is influential in my life for two reasons. First, it won honorable mention in the 1960 Kodak National High School Photo Contest, jump-starting my career at an early age. Much more importantly, the picture also embodies several of my father’s gently spoken thoughts about what makes an interesting photograph. One of them was: “Bad weather makes good pictures.” Because of the difference-making power of dramatic weather departing photographers at National Geographic could be heard to say good-bye to one another with the sign-off: ‘Hope you have interesting weather!’ They said the same thing about light. It ranked high on the wish list for any assignment and returning photographers were often greeted with the question, ‘How was the light?’ To the casual observer, light—and color—may not be influential factors in Williamson’s photograph. There appear to be almost none of either. But they are forcefully at work nevertheless. The light is “even,” without the visual tension of contrasting brightness and shadow that comes on a sunny day. This overall evenness of light gives a calm quality to the photograph. The picture’s predominant color is a neutral gray, which comes from the barely visible cloudy sky. Gray, to me, is the most desirable color in color photography. Unlike blue, gray does not compete with other colors. Instead, neutral gray complements other colors by allowing them to be themselves. In this case the result is a desirable (and somewhat rare) “black and white” color photograph.

Then there is the matter of stance. Williamson is standing on a bridge looking down and out onto the river from an elevated stance. In an interview I was once asked what I most desired when photographing landscapes. Dramatic action? Great light? Time? I considered all of these good possibilities then answered, “Five feet. I’d like to be five or ten feet above the scene I’m engaged with.” Why? Because the difference between ordinary ground level seeing and enhanced elevation is significant. When seen from slightly above, the landscape opens up gracefully and becomes more involving. (That’s why in my archive there are so many pictures of me standing on the hood, trunk and top of my vehicles.) The final influential factor is invisible. It is familiarity. Williamson has driven past this scene many thousands of times. He’s kayaked through it countless times as well. In short, he knows this scene very well. But because he was attentive, this day looked different. That is an advantage the ‘at home’ photographer has over the itinerant photographer who is passing through a landscape. Fred Williamson is a distinguished and admired artist who lives an exemplary local life. He is in intimately in touch with the landscape around him in many ways, including being a photographer of that landscape. That is the true secret behind the successful making of this photograph. Sam Abell, who has lived in western Albemarle since 1977, was for 30 years a contract and staff photographer for National Geographic. For the past five years he has judged the annual Crozet Calendar photo contest.

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

MARLENE A. CONDON

Mountain Lake Resort— Always Worthy of A Visit As a student at Virginia Tech, I found visits to nearby Mountain Lake—one of only two natural lakes in the state of Virginia—enchanting. Walking along the trail on the east side of the large freshwater lake required hiking through a rhododendron “hell” that was spectacular when in spring bloom. (A rhododendron hell refers to an area of these plants growing so close together that they are “hell” to get through if a pathway has not already been cleared for you!) Today, more than 40 years later, the fantastical rhododendrons remain, but sadly, the lake, once covering about 50 acres, is now a ghost of its former self. Although somewhat variable in size throughout its history, the lake seriously suffered from the statewide, longterm drought of 2002, and it has never recovered. Geologists cannot definitively cite the reason for its continued difficulty in refilling. However, many researchers have studied Mountain Lake, and they are certain about some things. Dr. Chester F. Watts (“Skip”) of Radford University told me that geophysical studies indicate that the lake originally formed as the result of a landslide that clogged a narrow gap in a ridge. The random jumbles of rock blocks created a dam that backed water up into a meadow. Unfortunately, the disordered rock dam contains spaces in between the rocks. Those openings sometimes allow water to pass through, while at other times they clog with silt that holds water in. Additionally, some deep holes, which leak, lie along the lake floor. Thus over the past four thousand or more years, Mountain Lake has fluctuated in size, depending upon

the state of both the dam and the holes. Jeanne M. Roningen (U.S. Army Corp of Engineers) and Thomas J. Burbey (Virginia Tech) discussed the hydrogeologic factors that influence lakelevel changes in a research paper in the 2012 Hydrogeology Journal (20: 1149-1167). They say that historical data suggest that either significant precipitation or artificial intervention to mitigate seepage would be required for lake-level recovery in the near future. The reduction in lake size has resulted in the loss of over one million dollars per year for the Mountain Lake Conservancy, the non-profit organization founded to manage and protect the resort and the 2600 acres of land surrounding it. (NASL ML FldTrp printed.pdf ) Should this drop in income continue, it could perhaps result in the future closing of the Lodge and thus public access to this wonderful property, which would be tragic. My husband and I visited in August when the Lodge offered a solar eclipse package. We were disheartened to see that only a small pond existed in the deep bowl at the northern end of the lakebed. Yet even without its namesake lake, this resort is still remarkably special. First, the drive into the mountains of southwestern Virginia is just spectacular. If you have never traveled to this area, you have missed what is perhaps the most beautiful section of our state. The extraordinary views astound me every time I visit, and I feel I could never see it enough! Arriving at the lodge, you know you have reached your destination because the resort spreads out before you, nestled within the confines of forested mountain slopes. It is the perfect place to escape the woes of the world and experience true

Mountain Lake Lodge, built of native sandstone, is especially lovely as the sun is setting. Its reflection in a small pond surrounded by natural vegetation that attracts wildlife serves to remind us that man and nature can coexist.

serenity, if you so desire. (Of course, to accomplish this state of mind, you should disconnect from your electronic devices, although WiFi is available.) What makes Mountain Lake especially unique to me is the natural beauty of the grounds in the resort area itself. The aesthetics of today’s populace typically tend towards totally manicured settings that appear, to my eyes at least, as artificial landscapes totally devoid of a connection to reality. But the grounds at Mountain Lake, while ordered and neat, contain natural areas within the grounds themselves that maintain our connection to nature, which is precisely as it should be. You can hike the many trails running throughout the property, or just observe the variety of plants that have filled the lakebed. They attract numerous kinds of butterflies and other insects (such as dragonflies), and the birds that feed upon them. Early-morning risers can view bats flying around the lodge after a night of feeding. Spring is a great time to see such migratory birds as thrushes, tanagers, and warblers. During spring and summer, the Lodge maintains hummingbird feeders that host more than a dozen Ruby-throats. Comfortable benches in the shade allow you to relax while the tiny birds constantly chase each other around. And American Goldfinches, in their luminous yellow plumage, seem to be everywhere. If you enjoy history or just historical buildings, you can find both here. The current lodge dates from 1936. However, visitors started coming to Mountain Lake in the mid-1800s, and many of the original cabins where they

stayed still exist today. For a sense of former times at the resort, you can study the old photographs that line the bedroom hallways of the lodge. In addition to seeing people boating upon the lake, you can see what would now be antique cars and people on horseback, and folks cutting ice blocks from the lake to preserve food during the warmer months of the year. I see these pictures as a chance to see history in the making. Over the past decade, the Conservancy has begun to develop recreational activities, such as zip-lines and water slides, for their guests. It saddens me to see those kinds of offerings that people can find elsewhere, as if the lodge minus its namesake lake has nothing special going for it. But Mountain Lake is an exceptional place, with or without its famous lake! The lakebed has rarely been accessible, as it is now, for walking and exploring. At this time in its history, folks have a chance to view geological features normally underwater, and there have been unexpected surprises. In 2008 when the lake had dried to almost nothing, Tim Dalton of Ripplemead and his son, Chris, discovered the remains of Samuel Ira “Si” Felder who had drowned there in July of 1921. In 2010, when his great-niece came to Mountain Lake to gather his belongings, she commented that she could “see why he and [his wife] would have come down here. It’s a beautiful place.” The Mountain Lake Resort is enchanting and may very well cast its spell over you, drawing you back repeatedly to experience its lovely charms.

CROZETgazette

LAURA CHATTERSON

ADAM SOWERS

FEBRUARY 2018

Gurmat Saini, Nicki Mills and Braden Little with their winning Pinewoods.

Whitney Thompson demonstrates pot-throwing at Artfest 2017 while her family and Caitlin Adams look on

ArtFest in the West Promises Family Fun by Clover Carroll with Bob Beard

clover@crozetgazette.com

Arts students, parents, and teachers in Albemarle County schools will be holding the 6th annual ArtFest in the West celebration of the Arts in Western Education (AWE) Friday, March 2, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Western Albemarle High School cafeteria. This free event is both a fundraiser for arts programs in the schools and a showcase of student talent. The theme for this year’s ArtFest is “Out of This World.” Families can expect stellar art exhibits, kids’ activities, decorations, delicious food, and a silent auction with loads of items of universal appeal. Most importantly, the event will star student artists and their work in vocal and instrumental music, fine arts, photography, creative writing, and drama. Families with kids of all ages are encouraged to take part in a wide range of interactive activities including ceramics demos, hands-on arts and crafts, a photo booth, and incredible performances by Meriwether Lewis Elementary Music Students, Henley Middle School Jazz Band, WAHS Jazz Band, WAHS Choir, WAHS Orchestra, WAHS Ceramics, and a preview performance from the WAHS spring musical Legally Blonde. Although the event is free, donations will be gratefully

accepted. The goal is to raise $10,000 for arts education in the six western Albemarle County public schools. There will be a silent auction for a variety of great items including music lessons, original art, gift certificates to local spas and restaurants, and more, with funds going directly to arts programs in the schools. ArtFest in the West is sponsored by the six western Albemarle schools’ Fine Arts Departments and Arts in Western Education (AWE), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization created to provide support, awareness, and celebration of the arts in the Western Albemarle feeder pattern schools (www.awe.org). Jim Lambert, President of the AWE Board of Directors, said, “This event is growing each year because it focuses on the kids, their talent, and the whole family coming and having fun together, celebrating and raising money for arts projects in our schools. Our arts programs are growing, but the county’s budget isn’t keeping up. We need to make up the difference to support our student artists.” And mark your calendars! The WAHS Theatre Company will present Legally Blonde: the Musical starring Chloe Horner, Tyler Gale, Tristan Rose, and Camille Kielbasa, Thursday, March 15 through Saturday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, continued on page 45

Swoosh, Yeah! Cub Scout Pack 79 celebrated the Boy Scouts of America’s 65th annual Pinewood Derby race Saturday, January 27. Cub Scouts in kindergarten through fifth grade, along with many siblings, entered a total of 83 cars in this year’s race, which was run on the pack’s electronically timed metal racing track in the Henley Middle School cafeteria. “The cars are getting faster every year, and it is getting

harder and harder to make a car fast enough to win,” said pack leader Kyle Enfield. The cars are 7 inches long and must weigh less than 5 ounces. This year’s over all winner was Nicki Mills. Braden Little was runner-up and Gurmat Saini came in third. Awards were also given to the top three speediest cars in each den, as well as several design awards for creative paint jobs and “fuel efficiency.”

David A. Maybee, DDS

Family Dentistry $775,000,000

is the annual consumer spending on

toothbrushes. Why not get a free one from your dentist?

New Patients Welcome!

434-823-1274

No Babysitter? No Problem!

Keep an eye on your children with our playroom cam

crozetdentistry.com Ad design and copy provided in part by fifth graders at Brownsville Elementary School

540 Radford Lane, #100 • Across from Harris Teeter, behind BB&T in Crozet

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

SUBMITTED

Religion News By Theresa Curry theresa@crozetgazette.com

Tabor Presbyterian Church Calls New Pastor Rev. Liz Hulme Adam has accepted a call as pastor for Tabor Presbyterian Church, beginning February 12. Rev. Adam is a Crozet resident and married to Erdal Adam, an optometrist. They have three children: Hannah, 19, now at American University; Phoebe, 16, at the Virginia Institute of Autism; and Silas, 13, at Henley Middle School. Rev. Hulme graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1997 and has served churches in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. She has also served as chaplain at University of Virginia Medical Center and at Westminster-Canterbury in Charlottesville. Before accepting the call to Tabor, she served Orange Presbyterian Church as interim minister for more than two years. The Tabor community is already familiar with Rev. Adam’s energy and enthusiasm. She’s scheduled some new Lenten observances at the church, including an intergenerational study of the psalms, a weekly brown bag lunch, and a series of discussions on racism. For more information, go to taborpc.org.

House of Worship Safety Workshop

Bishop of Richmond Visits Crozet Catholic Mission Newly installed Bishop of Richmond Barry Knestout, who is visiting churches across his vast diocese, which includes all the territory of Virginia below the Rappahannock River (to the north is the Diocese of Arlington), made an impromptu visit to Crozet Jan. 24 to meet with the leadership of the Crozet Catholic Mission.

SUBMITTED

The Albemarle County Police Department is offering a workshop for congregation leaders

and safety team leaders March 1 at First Baptist Church in Charlottesville. Senior Police Officer Joseph George of the county’s crime prevention program said the workshop will guide designated people from area churches on security surveys and assessments, on forming safety teams, and on ways to plan for an active assailant. George said he’s helped dozens of area churches with safety surveys. “This is a way to get everyone in one spot,” he said. “There’s no one way to plan for an event like this,” George said. “Each situation is different. But we can talk about strategies like ‘run, hide, fight’ so people have some advance idea of how to react.” He’s hoping the workshop will inspire those attending to share information on their own planning process as well. The workshop will include lunch, and anyone responsible for security at a house of worship is welcome. Space is limited, George said, so registration is required, at 434872-4558.

Rev. Liz Hulme Adam

From left: Mission council chair Michael Marshall, Bishop Barry Knestout, Fr. Joseph Mary Lukyamuzi of Holy Comforter Catholic Church, Fr. Dan Kelly, Vicar for Vocations Fr. Michael Boehling, and Julie Balik, Mass coordinator.

Knestout heard reports on the weekly mass being held at the Field School at 10 a.m., on the mission’s religious education and social outreach efforts, and on its financial condition and search for a church location. The Mission now has 140 registered households and mass attendance averages 225. Mass in Crozet is cancelled for the first three weeks of February while improvements are made to the school’s main hall and will resume on Feb. 25. For more information, visit the Mission’s Facebook page, Crozet Catholic Community.

Mothers Find Support at MOPs When Crozet native Amy James had her first couple of children, she was in Lynchburg, away from familiar surroundings, family and friends. “I had the same concerns as every young mother,” she recalled. Now a seasoned mother of three, she looks back on those early years with humor. She remembers wondering if she would ever be able to wear clothes without stains, take a shower in peace, cook a whole meal or do any of the day-today activities she took for granted as a career woman. “Luckily, I found a MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) program,” James said. She quickly found out that she was not alone, that all young mothers shared the same self-doubts, the same fatigue. “And all of them wonder at one time or another if there is something wrong with them that they can’t accomplish everything perfectly.”

James, who has 5-year-old, 3-year-old and 17-month-old children, returned to Crozet. “I’d grown up in the Crozet Baptist Church,” she said. “I knew there would be mothers here who would benefit from a caring community, so I approached the church.” The church welcomed her idea, and the local program was born. James is quick to note that it’s open to anyone, of any denomination or no denomination. “We are Christiancentered and prayer-based, but all are welcome,” she said. “We have representatives from quite a few faith communities.” The national MOPs organization has refined a model that works well for most mothers. The local group meets twice a month on Mondays, from 9:30 to 11:30. Providing childcare is essential, James said, and for many it’s the only time in the week that someone else is responsible for their child. Mothers of infants are also likely to keep them with them in slings: either way is fine. James said the two biggest issues for mothers are likely to be lack of sleep and the fear they will never have a role to play in the larger world. “While we can’t make up for the sleep, we do provide a hot meal and plenty of coffee,” she said. “It’s surprising how much something simple like this means to our moms.” The program does engage them with the community as well. They spend time each month doing service projects, James said. And the group as a whole hears experts on organization, coping, relationships and grief. “There are serious

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Stephanie Hicks

SUBMITTED

MOPs participants at Crozet Baptist.

intimidated when they make the transition. She also likes the feeling of camaraderie that’s developing as students help each other. “No matter what challenges you have in school or in life, we will be glad to see you,” she said. “Just come as you are.” Stephanie Hicks, who recently assumed the youth director position, has an extensive background working with non-profits in Virginia and West Virginia. She lives in Crozet with her husband and two children.

Puppies Introduce Children to Prayer Also at Crozet United Methodist, children will have a special Ash Wednesday service on February 14 at 6 p.m. They’ll choose a “prayer puppy” to help them understand the concept of prayer. The puppies will be featured during each Sunday worship service in Lent as a fun way to teach children to pray for themselves and for each other.

SUBMITTED

issues among our young women,” James said: “miscarriages, bad health, post-partum depression, infertility. One of our biggest rules is to listen to each other without judgment.” The meetings also have some time in small groups, where the mothers can share their concerns and get to know each other. As you might expect, this spills over into the everyday life of the mothers, James said. “They meet for coffee, email and call each other, keep in touch on Facebook,” she said. James said that wonderful, experienced women have volunteered to provide child care at the meetings, and the program has grown to 35 mothers with 36 children. Although there is plenty of space, the program is at its full capacity, simply because of a need for more volunteers, she said: “We have a waiting list now for mothers because we can’t accommodate any more children,” she said. To volunteer or learn more about the program, connect through the MOPs Facebook page, or email or call the church.

Stephanie Hicks, the youth director at Crozet United Methodist Church, envisioned a safe place where students from middle school and high school could work on homework and get help with difficult projects. Her vision is taking shape. The Wednesday night study hall at the church is underway from 7 to 9 pm each week, and it has grown as the needs and interests of the community’s young people have shaped it: “We’ve got a place for you, regardless of your church affiliation,” Hicks said. Students find a quiet, friendly place to study, with Internet access and snacks, and they can also take advantage of the veteran educators who volunteer as tutors. Hicks said technical support is available for those who require more complicated Internet-based tools. Other teachers have extensive backgrounds in English and math, with more subjects being added, she said. Those who have finished their homework are also welcome, Hicks said, and she’s planned hands-on activities each week. One recent week, young people made homemade dog biscuits to offer to area senior citizens as treats for their pets. Future plans include an occasional field trip, game nights and movie nights. But mostly, said Hicks, she wants to encourage a feeling of community and support. “Even in this wonderful community, young people can feel isolated,” she said. She likes the idea that middle school students will meet high school students and perhaps feel less

SUBMITTED

Crozet UMC Offers Study Hall

Study hall underway at Crozet UMC

Prayer puppies for Lent

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Mary Virginia Stephenson Sandridge Serving Western Albemarle Families Since 1967 Robert S. Anderson & John W. Anderson, Jr., D I R E C T O R S

823-5002 5888 St. George Avenue Crozet, VA 22932

BEREAVEMENTS Camdon Pierce Morris, 6

December 18, 2017

Cynthia Nicole Morris, 26

December 18, 2017

Jeremy Scott Morris, 21

December 18, 2017

Joseph Randolph Jackson Jr., 33

December 22, 2017

John Marshall Trimble, 95

December 25, 2017

Alma Virginia Brown Hall, 78

December 27, 2017

Robert Cook Raynor, 87

December 27, 2017

Doreen Kirschnick Wills, 84

December 27, 2017

William Henry Brown, 88

December 28, 2017

Donald Ray Keyton, 58

December 29, 2017

William E. Buckon, 89

December 29, 2017

Jacqueline Shiflett Morris, 70

December 30, 2017

Samuel Edward Beale II, 70

December 31, 2017

Thomas E. Lohr, 84

December 31, 2017

Mary S. Morris, 75

December 31, 2017

Shirley Thomas Kendrick, 81

January 2, 2018

Mary Virginia Stephenson Sandridge, 91 January 3, 2018 Phyllis Brackett, 62

January 4, 2018

Margaret Gale McLean Frizzell, 93

January 4, 2018

Clyde M. Mawyer Sr., 86

January 4, 2018

Otelia Gilmore Brackett, 90

January 5, 2018

Frances Elizabeth Gibson Loose, 86

January 5, 2018

Albert Lorenzoni, 89

January 6, 2018

Buddy Greene Powell Jr., 92

January 6, 2018

Philip Gilbert Rawlins, 99

January 7, 2018

Sandra Lynn Elledge Houchens, 54

January 9, 2018

Dorothy May Hash, 86

January 10, 2018

Dales McCurdy Stallings, 86

January 12, 2018

Jean LaRue Thrasher Toms, 87

January 12, 2018

Claude Hamilton Shifflett, 82

January 13, 2018

Annie Mae Brown Washington, 84

January 13, 2018

Elmer Owen Morris, 63

January 14, 2018

Robert Ray Atkins, 71

January 17, 2018

Geraldine G. Baer, 84

January 17, 2018

Robert Burton Gibson, 81

January 18, 2018

Mary Virginia Stephenson Sandridge, 91, through the grace of God, passed away January 3, 2018, at Rosewood Village Hollymead in Charlottesville, Virginia. She was born July 12, 1926, on the family farm in Albemarle County. She was the daughter of Mamie Elizabeth and Alexander Stephenson. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Hollis Sandridge Sr. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by two brothers, William and Tyler Stephenson, a sister Mildred Stephenson Keister, two half-brothers, Charles Gill and Marshall (Shorty) Gill, two half-sisters Marie Gill Clarke and Isabelle Gill Grubb and a great-grandson Joshua David Pasternak. She is survived by her children Hollis F. Sandridge, Jr. and wife Linda, Barbara Sandridge Pasternak and husband Dave and David L. Sandridge and wife Ann; grandchildren Brian Pasternak, Robert Pasternak, Lauren Smith, Aynsley Gresko, Michael H. Sandridge; step-granddaughter Jennifer Block; great-grandchildren, Jenna, Courtney, Dylan and Taylor Pasternak and many devoted nieces and nephews. A lifelong resident of Crozet, Gin was a homemaker and

wonderful wife to Hollis and mother to her three children. She was a graduate of Longwood College and Nursing School at University of Virginia. She was a longtime member of Crozet United Methodist Church and enjoyed activities with her many friends. A celebration of Gin’s life was be held at Crozet United Methodist Church January 6 Contributions in her memory may be made to Crozet United Methodist Church and Hospice of the Piedmont. The family wishes to thank the staff of Rosewood Village Hollymead of Charlottesville and Hospice of the Piedmont for their care and compassion for Virginia in the last year of her life.

Frances Elizabeth Gibson Loose Frances Elizabeth Gibson Loose of Keswick, 86, died on the Eve of The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, January 5, 2018. She was born June 13, 1931 at the Martha Jefferson Hospital. She was the daughter of Nellie Mary Gibson and Arthur Gibson of Ivy. She was the owner of Tuel Jewelers on the Downtown Mall, a smart business lady, a loving mom and grandmother, and a devoted wife. She loved her family and her community. She was a God fearing woman and a great believer in prayer. At one time in her life she considered becoming a nun. She instilled those values in her family and she showed God’s love in her interaction with those she

met. Many called her Mom, “Mom Tuel,” “Momma Loose,” Queen of the Mall, but all called her their friend. She was married to Hermann Loose for 56 years until his death in 2017.

CROZETgazette She was predeceased by her sister, Louise Haney, and her husband, Milton, her brothers, William Gibson and his wife, Alma, Luther Gibson, and Verley Gibson and her sister in-law, Doralis Loose Rufenacht, and her husband, Willie. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Loose DeViney and her husband, John, and Frieda Loose-Wagner and her husband, Michael, and two grandsons, Hunter and Tyler, whom she loved very much. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Nancy Gibson and Peggy Gibson. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, Hermann Rufenacht, Wick Rufenacht, and Hans-Peter Rufenacht, Brenda Vest and Michael Haney, David Gibson, Donald Gibson, Dennis Gibson, Terry Gibson Morris, and Tracey Gibson McDonald, Sherri Gibson Perry, and Larry Gibson and Kelly Gibson. William DeViney and Sara DeViney and their families, and the many friends she leaves behind. She graduated from Meriwether Lewis High School in Ivy in 1950, where she played basketball and was the pitcher for the softball team. She and the girls called themselves the “Gas House Gang.” She attended night school at Jefferson Business School for bookkeeping. She received certificates from Jewelers of America (JA) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). She began to work at McCrory’s Five and Dime at the Candy Counter, and then was hired by Diana Shops where she was involved in sales and fashion merchandising, later traveling across the Commonwealth setting up new stores. She was hired as the bookkeeper for Tuel Jewelers in 1953. In 1975, she became the owner. She operated the retail jewelry, watch and jewelry repair with her daughters and later with her grandsons. She engraved and restrung pearls until she broke her wrist, and waited on customers until Parkinson’s Disease prevented

FEBRUARY 2018 her from walking on her own. She still came dressed for business every day and greeted each customer from her desk, as soon as the bells rang on the door. Her smile and friendly hello will be silent. Her family will continue to operate the store in the same manner in which she would have insisted. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, Credit Women International, Apple Harvest Festival (current Dogwood Festival) Albemarle Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Association, Downtown Business Alliance, American Legion Auxiliary, a fellow Parliamentarian, Business and Professional Women and enjoyed bowling with her husband in the Guys and Dolls League. She was Baptized, Confirmed and Married at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Ivy, where she was the Altar Guild Directress and an active member of the Episcopal Church Women. After her marriage, she became a member of Grace Episcopal Church-Cismont serving on the Altar Guild, Episcopal Church Women, a Sunday School Teacher and St. Margaret’s Guild. She enjoyed attending St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Simeon, Christ Episcopal Church in Gordonsville, and Calvary Baptist Church at the Woolen Mills, and later in Charlottesville with her sister. Pallbearers were, John DeViney, Donald Gibson, Michael Haney, Hunter Loose, Michael Wagner, and Tyler Wagner. Honorary pallbearers, All the Delivery Folks she called “Zip.” A Service of the The Burial of the Dead wase held January 9 at Grace Episcopal ChurchCismont in Keswick. Interment followed at Monticello Memory Gardens. In addition to flowers, contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal ChurchCismont, P.O. 43, Keswick, VA 22947. Condolences may be made to her family at www.hillandwood. com.

Gazette obituaries are just $25 for up to 500 words and include a photograph. Email ads@crozetgazette.com or call 434-249-4211.

Colonel William E. Buckon USMC, Ret Colonel William “Bill” Buckon, USMC Ret., passed away on Friday, December 29 2017, at the age of 89. Bill grew up in Youngstown, Ohio and pursed undergraduate and graduate degrees at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, where he met his wife of 66 years, Jeanne Gliatto. His further graduate studies were at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA. Bill enjoyed a 28-year military career in the US Marine Corps which included combat tours in Korea and Vietnam. Upon retiring from active duty in 1978, Bill worked in the Defense industry with Fairchild Republic Aircraft and Hughes Aircraft Company in El

Segundo California. Bill and Jeanne returned east in 2003 settling in Crozet, Virginia where he began his third career, puttering in the basement. Bill is survived by his wife Jeanne, eight children Christine, Matthew, Cathleen, Maura, Margaret, Mark, Andrew, and Kimo (as he referred to us); 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A Memorial Mass will be held at Holy Comforter Catholic Church in Charlottesville, VA (208 East Jefferson Street) on February 12 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society or Hospice of The Piedmont.

C on t u s to a c t vi s it a cla s s!

Discover the joy of making music together with your family! Charlottesville · Crozet blueridgemusictogether.com · (434) 293-6361

Read and comment online at the newly designed

crozetgazette.com

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

community events JANUARY 10

Geraldine G. Baer Geraldine G. Baer, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. She was 84. Gerry was born on July 17, 1933 in Knoxville, Tennessee, and spent her childhood in Nashville and Knoxville. She graduated in 1951 from Knoxville High School and in 1955 from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Business Administration, and remained thereafter a devoted fan of the Tennessee Volunteers. In 1956 she married her husband, Bill, and after a short time in New Jersey, raised their family in Connecticut. They moved to White Hall, Virginia in 1993 to be near their sons, Bill Jr. and Eric. Gerry and Bill were happily married for 56 years until Bill’s death in 2013. They are survived by their son Bill Baer Jr. and his wife Jane, of White Hall; Eric Baer and his wife Jackie, of John’s Island, South Carolina; and grandchildren Mary Lofton and her husband James, Allison Geraldine De Graaf and her husband Brandon, Dan Baer, Ava Quesada, Sarah Baer, Hank Baer, Billy Baer, and Matthew Baer. Gerry is also survived by several beloved nieces and nephews. She found great joy in her family. She kept a plaque on her kitchen wall that said, “Grandma’s my name— Spoilin’s my game,” and lived up to it. She also leaves a number of close long-term friends and good neighbors, as well as new friends she made at the Lodge at Old Trail, who meant a great deal to her. Gerry was a lifelong Christian and a faithful parishioner of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Cheshire, Connecticut and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Ivy, Virginia, where she and Bill sang in the choir. She spent much of her life engaged in church, charitable, and civic organizations. She enjoyed music and art, including flower arranging and pottery, and especially singing. The church choir and the singing group at the

Lodge were special sources of pleasure and companionship. An exceptionally joyful and loving person, Gerry had strong affection for her family and friends and “never met a stranger.” Her natural tendency was always to see the best in people and take an interest in their lives. She was always delighted to get a phone call and hear how you were doing. She relished playfulness and laughter. Even as death approached, she kept her sense of humor and love of fellowship. In the hospice a couple days before her death, she remarked that she had really enjoyed all the visitors who had come to see her, smiled slyly, and said, “This has been a lot of fun. I think I’ll die twice. What do you think about that?” She was unusually positive and sunny. Right through her final years she stayed cheerful, focusing on the good that could be found in each day. While some of us felt her unflagging optimism was at times not realistic, we had to admit that when Gerry’s worldview clashed with reality, reality tended to retire from the field in abject defeat. She was a good person to talk with in times of sorrow or trouble. We will all dearly miss the lightness and joy of her company. Our family would like to extend thanks to Martha Jefferson Hospital and the Hospice of the Piedmont for their wonderful care and support during Gerry’s last illness. We are also very grateful to the staff of The Lodge at Old Trail for their loving care and many kindnesses, particularly in the last few months. A funeral service followed by a reception in the parish hall was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Ivy on Saturday, January 27, 2018. Anyone wishing to make a donation in Gerry’s memory is asked to give to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Ivy or to the Hospice of the Piedmont. Anderson Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Holy Cross Pancake Breakfast

Holy Cross Church Batesville will offer a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, February 11, following the 9 a.m. church service. The community is invited to join in the worship service and breakfast that recognize the occurrence of Shrove Tuesday on February 13, the last day before Lent. Holy Cross also will offer an Ash Wednesday service at noon on February 14. All are welcome. The church is located at 2523 Craigs Store Road (Rt. 635) in Batesville; the website can be viewed at www.holycrosschurchbatesville.org.

FEBRUARY 9

Crozet Jam Band The Crozet Jam Band will be performing a tribute to Linda Ronstadt on February 9 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Starr Hill Brewery Tap Room. The CJB will welcome contributions for the prevention and treatment of Parkinson’s Disease ,which has made it impossible for Linda Ronstadt to continue her singing career. Contributions will be sent to the National Parkinson’s Foundation. The CJB will also play songs by R.E.M., The Dixie Chicks, Emmylou Harris and other artists. As usual, everyone is welcome to come and join in the singing and playing and lead a song from the stage. Requests will also be taken from the 180+ page song book. There is no cover charge and food and craft beer will be available until 10 p.m. Soft drinks and water are available from a vending machine.

FEBRUARY 10

Second Saturdays Art Openings Art on the Trax will feature “Flight: Watercolors by Phil Radcliffe” during the month of February, with a Second Saturday Artist Reception on February 10 from 4 - 6 p.m. The wonder of flight, combining an affection for aircraft

and adventure with a love of nature, marks Phillip Radcliffe’s paintings. Detailed war planes soar over dramatic clouds contrasting machining marvels with natural beauty. Birds isolated on flat backgrounds showcase these incredible flying animals. Rendered with watercolor and pen and ink, the work showcases an attention to composition and a respect for the subject matter. During the month of February, Crozet Artisan Depot proudly presents the work of chocolatier Jennifer Mowad of Cocoa & Spice. Jennifer will be at the Second Saturday Opening Reception on February 10 from 3 - 5 p.m. in the historic Crozet train depot. The event will include many samples of Cocoa & Spice products as well as a display of the tools she uses to create her line of chocolates. She will be happy to answer any questions about the art of working with chocolate. In addition, Jennifer will be sampling her products at the depot on Sunday, February 4 and Sunday, February 11 from 12 - 5 p.m. Jennifer is a graduate of the Ecole Chocolate Professional Chocolatier Program and completed an apprenticeship at East Van Roasters in Vancouver, Canada.

FEBRUARY 20

Create-a-thon

Come to Crozet Library Tuesday, February 20 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. for warm drinks, snacks, and an afternoon of creating. Whether you’re working on art, writing, crafts, coding, or other creations, you’re welcome to come focus on your work and talk out your ideas with other creative types. Grades 6-12.

FEBRUARY 23

Zumba for Older Adults

Come try Zumba Friday, February 23 at 10 a.m. at Crozet Library. Zumba is Latin-fusion dance class with easy-to-follow moves. Jennifer Homan will lead this introductory lower-intensity class that will get your heart pumping and improve your range of motion.

CROZETgazette Check out the full community event calendar and submit your own events! crozetgazette.com/events

FEBRUARY 26

I’m Not Racist… Am I?

Join Crozet Library Monday, February 26 at 6 p.m. for an important community discussion following the screening of the documentary I’m Not Racist… Am I?, about 12 NYC teenagers who spend a year talking and learning about racism. The discussion will be led by trained facilitators and is in partnership with Beloved Community Cville. Ages 14+

MARCH 2

Art Fest in the West

Art Fest

—continued from page 39

March 17 in the WAHS auditorium at 5941 Rockfish Gap Turnpike. This award-winning musical comedy follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams at

FEBRUARY 2018

is both a fundraiser for arts programs in the schools and a showcase of student talent. See story page 44. by Louise Dudley

MARCH 3

Feb: Short but Action-Packed

Sugar Hollow Three Bridges The Sugar Hollow Three Bridges 5 and 10k Race is sponsored by the White Hall Ruritans. Both a 5 and a 10k course will be available on beautiful Sugar Hollow Road alongside the Moorman’s River. The starting line is 1.5 miles west of Piedmont Store at 5275 Sugar Hollow Road. =Race registration is $35: on site registration is $40. Following the race join us for a pancake breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Community Center, 2094 Brown Gap Turnpike. Proceeds aid in the restoration of the White Hall Community Center, a historic building in Western Albemarle County, and for the many community services provided by the organization, including scholarships to area college-bound students, 5th grade achievement awards, highway clean up and many other projects. Contact white hallruritans@ gmail.com with questions.

Harvard Law School. With music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin and book by Heather Hach, the WAHS production is directed by Caitlin Pitts with music direction by Joel Hartshorn. Tickets costing from $6 for students to $14 for adults will be available soon.

1 3 4

13 15

14 17

19 20

24 26 27

28 31

30 32 33

ACROSS 1 Smallest possible amount 7 Group of musical instruments 9 First African-American US President 13 “He loves me, he loves me ______” 14 First African-American Major League Baseball player 15 Girl ______, cookie sellers 17 A guess or feeling based on intuition 20 First US President (born 2/22/1732) 22 Bird thought to be wise 24 Popular color on Valentine’s Day 26 George Washington’s military rank 27 ______ mints, popular chocolate-covered cookie 29 The Crozet Gazette publishes a new one every month 31 Night before a big holiday 32 US President known as the railsplitter (born 2/12/1809) 33 A lion’s sound DOWN 1 Tart yellow citrus fruit 2 Light-brown color

3 Short conversation 4 February is the shortest ______ 5 Thurgood ______ was the first African American justice on the US Supreme Court 6 The second month (abbrev.) 7 Youngest Girl Scouts 8 Beavers make these in small streams to form ponds 10 Malia and Sasha Obama’s dog 11 ______ dollars, price of a box of Girl Scout cookies 12 ______ Parks, civil rights activist who wouldn’t move to the back of the bus 16 Food item sold by Girl Scouts 18 Smallest iPod model 19 Card sent on February 14 21 Very strong wind 23 Public high school in Crozet (abbrev.) 25 American botanist and inventor who developed 300 products from peanuts 28 Graphic symbol on a computer screen to click on 30 Shade tree Solution on page 46

CROZETgazette

FEBRUARY 2018

Add yours for as little as $45 a month! Call 434-249-4211 or email ads@crozetgazette.com

Crozet Gazette Business Card Ads

ALBEMARLE COUNTY COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS: One 10’ x 10’ plot rents for $ 20 in this organic garden in Western Park in Old Trail sponsored by the County’s Parks & Recreation Dept. Ten hour requirement to help maintain common areas. First come, first served. Register in person in mid-March at Old Trail or at the County Office. Reply by March 1st. For details, call 434-205-4087, 434-8234288 or email bevandjim5@comcast.net or torvellino@comcast.net.

Crozet Tire & Auto Conveniently Located Next to Western Ridge Subdivision on Rte. 240

• • • •

Wholesale Tires Brakes & Shocks Oil & Lube Service State Inspection

5155 Three Notch’d Road Crozet, VA 22932 434-823-4778 434-823-5145

HELP WANTED: Part time personal assistant to elderly/ handicap woman: Tues/Thurs. 6hrs. $16/hr. Medical/ therapeutic/ alt medicine experience a plus. Includes housework / food prep / driving. Call Jennifer: 850-723-1959

complete line of residental services

C&M RESIDENTIAL SERVICES 434-964-7943 Chris Maddox

WANTED: UTILITY AND WORKSHOP TECHNICIAN: Perrone Robotics is seeking to hire a fulltime Utility & Workshop person to perform the following duties: Assist with testing of autonomous vehicles; assist with fabrication and building of various hardware applications; general maintenance, repairs, and shop management and upkeep; ability to jump in and “turn a wrench” on HW and equipment tasks. Qualifications: Possess valid driver’s license; desire to work with an exciting start-up company that’s doing extraordinary and leading edge work to put autonomy in everyone’s hands; local to Crozet, Charlottesville area. Please forward resume to jobs@perronerobotics. com.

owner

plumbing and septic tank repairs electrical installation and repairs

residential remodeling and repairs general handyman services

Serving Central Virginia for Over 25 Years

ALL ENGINES POSSIBLE New location! 6037 Rockfish Gap Turnpike, Crozet Open Monday - Friday 9 am - 6 pm; Saturday 8 am - 1 pm; Closed Sunday

Accounting - Bookkeeping Tax Services - Notary Public

Quality Work | Affordable Rates 434.823.8392 434.953.7931 cell

1186 Crozet Avenue In the Blue Goose Building in Downtown Crozet

www.allenginespossible.com

CLASSIFIED ADS

BY APPOINTMENT

Phone: 434-823-1420 Fax: 434-823-1610

A CALL TO FELLOW MEDITATORS: Let’s get together and use the self-awareness insights of Krishnamurti and Adyashanti, along with our own insights, to help us see how we get caught in duality, and how to be free of that duality in our everyday lives. Bob Maslow (434) 823-2294. COMPUTER CARE: Quality computer repair in your home or office. Virus removal, networking, wireless setup, tutoring, used computers. Reasonable rates. Over 15 years’ experience. Please call 434-825-2743.

Something for everyone. Resale and new, we have a treasure waiting for you! New items arrive daily! Come check us out!

12 BOOTH VENDORS HOUSEWARES ANTIQUES FURNITURE PRIMITIVE BOOTH CRAFTS CLOTHING FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY UP TO 80% OFF RETAIL PRICE

1805 Eastside Hwy, Crimora • Open Tues-Fri 10am - 6pm; Sat 10am - 3pm

Puzzle on page 45

EXPERIENCED SEAMSTRESS with over 30 years of tailoring and garment alterations experience. I work from home in Crozet (Highlands subdivision). Please call for a free consultation. Ruth Gerges: 434823-5086.

L E AS E C M H M F M BA E O R OBAMA NOT ROB I N S ON W T S N HUNCH V A A WA S H I N E N L L R ED S OW L G A N H T H I N C I S S U E I L I NCO LN M E N

T A ND FOR A O O M S COU T S O R A G TON A K C L I E NE RA L R S EV E E ROAR

NEIGHBORHOOD SALES COORDINATOR: At Stanley Martin Homes, we take pride in designing and building new homes. We have a passion for creating beautiful home exteriors, engineering money saving homes, designing functional floor plans, and providing outstanding customer service. In addition to building new homes and neighborhoods, we also have an important role to invest in and give back to the communities in which we do business.

CROZETgazette CLASSIFIED ADS In focusing on these aspects, we feel that we have a positive impact on the lives of our customers, trade partners, and employees. It is because of our commitment to outstanding homes and our focus on corporate social responsibility as to why over 15,000 families have chosen to live in Stanley Martin communities throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, Charlottesville, Richmond and Raleigh.The Neighborhood Coordinator is responsible for supporting and improving the communication and interaction between Sales and various departments. Responsibilities and Duties: Process contracts, addendums and start packages, including all Design Studio selections, Start Sheets, deposits, late updates/changes and CBO requests. Update MLS and keep our offer up to date and accurate. Maintain full and accurate information in X2Center regarding all sales and construction start information. Drop construction schedules in X2Center. Set up and tear down of phones and internet service for sales offices in models and/or trailers. Act as office point of contact for customers, sales personnel, superintendents and various corporate departments. Resolve sales contract/selection sheet billing problems, to include management of invoices for the department. Provide administrative support to include: setup of new community files, filing, copying, mailings and data entry. Order office supplies and architectural plans for the department. Maintain various department reports as well as all sales and construction files. Complete all other duties as assigned by manager. Plan divisional and regional events and meetings. Adhere to and promote the Mission, Vision, and Values of Stanley Martin. Position Standards: Team player; Attention to detail; Knowledge of MS Office, with extensive understanding of Excel and Word; Strong organizational skills; Able to multi-task; Positive attitude Self Starter/Pro-active; Strong Communication Skills (written and verbal). Position Requirements: College degree preferred. To apply directly online with us, go to careers.stanleymartin.com. ECOLOGICAL DESIGN AND LANDSCAPING JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN HARRISONBURG: The Natural Garden, a local habit-restoration, native plant nursery, and ecological landscaping company, is hiring for a variety of positions from experienced landscape architect to field crew members. We offer competitive pay, opportunities for career advancement, and a family-like company culture. For more information visit our website at www. thenaturalgarden.net/job-openings. html. WANTED TO RENT: Pastureland for cattle in Crozet or White Hall area. Call Lowry Abell 960-1334.

FEBRUARY 2018

Crozet Gazette Business Card Ads

Unique Valentine's Gifts — Free Wrap! Mon-Sat 11-5 / Wed Closed / Sun 12-5

Watercolor Artist ~ Christine Kennedy Studio CROZETANTIQUES.COM 434.989.6556

1171 Carter Street at Jarmans Gap Road

Add yours for as little as $45 a month! Call 434-249-4211 or email ads@crozetgazette.com

Pond Service and Routine Maintenance Enhancements and Upgrades Leaks and unusual problems? solved!

Dan Ehrman, Afton 434-973-8399 • 540-456-8116 • dandoesit@gmail.com

Resolving your water concerns water testing water filtration water softeners electric hot water heaters uv sterilization well pumps handy man services

We can service your existing equipment

434-996-9742; 434-823-1973

John Moore Crozet, VA 22932

jbmooreservices@gmail.com

DISNEY TRAVEL PLANNING Michelle Holzwarth

Concierge-style service from a boutique-sized travel agency with the most knowledgeable travel professional around. All services are completely complimentary. I can assist you with booking and planning your best DISNEY vacation yet, and with a little pixie dust thrown in :).

michelle@dreamersdotravels.com 434-249-7446

Independent and Unbiased Investment Advice

Sam Harris

Financial Advisor 434.214.0407 (office) 434.282.4284 (cell) Sam@PatinaWealth.com

PatinaWealth.com

McAllister Painting

MATT ROBB Phone: 434.531.6060 Fax: 888.251.3406 EMail: matt@robbconstruction.com Premium Business Cards:

Order 816158

Licensed and Insured Over 20 Years Experience - Free Estimates

All aspects of painting Interior and Exterior 8803 Dick Woods Road Caroline Revercomb | ROY WHEELER REALTY CO. | 1100 Dryden Lane Ednam Hall Charlottesville VA 22903 Gutter Cleaning & Power Washing Afton, VA 22920 “No job too small” www.robbconstruction.com Most Recent Cards Order History Photo Library

Call Todd at 434-960-4775

Class A Lic. #2705073818A

PROOF - Front of Your Card If you have changes you would like us to make please type them below.

Blue Line: Represents the final trim-size

Across from MusicToday & Next to the Laundromat

434-823-4523

P.O. Box 36 • 5370 Three Notch’d Rd • Crozet, VA 22932