RVF News

South Rockfish Rural Historic District

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Several members of the community have formed a committee under the Rockfish Valley Foundation to investigate a Rural Historic District designation for their area. It has been designated the South Rockfish Rural Historic District.

A rural historic district is a geographical area recognized for its historical significance by formal listing on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Listing an area as a Rural Historic District is an honorary designation that has real benefits in bringing communities together to protect their unique cultural, historic, and natural assets. It provides limited protection from certain Federal actions for buildings or landscapes in the district, as well as the possibility of tax credits for major building renovations.

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources recommends submission of a Preliminary Information Form (PIF) for consideration before preparation of a full nomination. This is so the staff at VDHR can review and advise on the proposed historic district. The nomination will need to include a map with the proposed district boundaries as well as photographs of the primary resources that comprise the district.

Download the Preliminary Information Form (PIF) here

Download proposed district boundary map here

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Birding Along The Rockfish Valley Trail System

It is the time of year for some of the best birding along the trail system. the migratory birds, the weather and trail conditions all are excellent.

TIM HODGE, MARSHALL FAINTICH, PAUL DAVIS, and BILL AND PAGE KAMPMEIER as Volunteers for the Rockfish VAlley Foundation are along the trails most mornings. Feel free to ask them questions. Marshall will be taking 100s of photos each time he is there. There is a link to his website in the BIRDING SECTION of this website. TIME HODGE is now a freshman at Liberty University but can be found early on weekends along the trail. usually in his camouflage fatigues. Tim will conduct BIRD WALKS on the first Saturday of each month beginning in October. Meet at the Rockfish River Trail Head at the historic HURRICANE CAMILLE Marker at 7:30 AM. Walk normally lasts until 9:00 AM or so.

SEPTEMBER 25TH EVENT WILL BE SPECIAL. This is the 5th anniversary of the VA BIRDING TRAIL SYSTEM IN VIRGINIA. It is being celebrated with an event that begins at DEVILS BACKBONE Restaurand and Brewery on Friday September 25th at 8:00 AM. Meet at the Brewery and then select to join Tim Hodge and Marshall Faintich for birding along the Rockfish Valley Trails or a bird walk within Wintergreen. At the conclusion of these walks, return to Devil’s Backbone there will be speeches and refreshments. It should be a wonderful day. thanks to Jeff Trollinger, Steven Living and others from VA DGIF who have organized this and to Maureen Kelly from Nelson Tourism and Danna Quillen from Wintergreen for promoting it. Particular thanks to Tim Hodge and Marshall Faintich for sharing their knowledge of birds and birding along the trail system.

Peter Agelasto

Nelson Scenic Loop is under construction

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We are very pleased to announce that the Rockfish Valley Foundation is undertaking to create a travel opportunity and informational text in Nelson County which we have called the NELSON SCENIC LOOP.

The research, writing and website development are underway. We are pleased to have Jesús Najar, an Urban & Environmental Planning Masters candidate at the University of Virginia School of Architecture working for us this summer as lead developer. He is assisted by M.H.LA Liz Sargent, one of our very committed volunteers and a part time resident of Beech Grove. In addition we are working with Bluewall the website developer and social network creator run by Sara Pope and Peter Agelasto IV. Their intern Samantha Ashley is a valued member of their team for the summer.

You may follow the progress of the NELSON SCENIC LOOP at www.nelsonscenicloop.com.

It is a 50-mile auto and bike tour that follows four scenic byways and features Nelson’s bounty of natural, cultural, and historic attractions. There are a number of spurs that lead from it as optional discovery trails. Please let us have your comments.

Nelson Scenic Loop Goals

The Loop will:

• Promote the intrinsic natural, scenic, recreational, historic, cultural, and archeological qualities of Nelson County.
• Offer an authentic meaningful rural experience that will enrich the lives of visitors by highlighting connections between cultural activities and the natural world.
• Suggest opportunities for heritage tourism through regional branding and cooperative marketing, including Nelson County, in communities along the Loop.
• Encourage visitors to appreciate, respect, and experience Nelson County’s unique cultural landscape.
• Promote and enrich the Blue Ridge Parkway experience.

• Create a rural tourism model that can be replicated in other parts of Nelson and throughout rural Virginia.

Peter A. Agelasto III
June 1, 2009

Earth Day and Arbor day

ROCKFISH VALLEY FOUNDATION
Earth Day celebration –Wednesday, April 22, 2009

7:30 –9:00 AM
Early Bird walk in the Rockfish Valley. Meet at Rockfish River Trail head with Tim Hodge and Marshall Faintich.

9:00 AM – 3 PM
Hike and bring lunch. Walk on Crawford’s Knob with Chip Morgan. Moderate to difficult. Circumnavigate the hill via Turkey Scratch Trail from the Walnut side. To quote Chip: “it is a great walk, good stuff to see …and good exercise”.
Sign up requested. 434 361 2251. Space limited to 20.

6:00 PM – Barnyard tour
Rockfish Valley Farm barn yard tour with the Rockfish 6. LILLY, Stormy, Billy Goat, Blackie Goat , Seymour and Juilet as well as chickens, ducks and barn cats will welcome you.
Sign up requested. 434 361 2251. Space limited.

ROCKFISH VALLEY FOUNDATION
ARBOR DAY Celebration. Friday, April 24, 2009

9:30 – 11:30 AM
Trail walk and conversation with Martha Warring, Forester with the Department of Forestry in Nelson County; tree identification and discussion. Tree planting. Discussion of Riparian plantings. Unveiling of plans for Camille Memorial Park at Rockfish River Trail Head;;.. First 20 registered receive copy of theimportant new DOF tree book. DOF booklets and materials available for everyone. Bring your questions. Easy walking, Practical applications. Sign up requested. 434 361 2251.

ROCKFISH VALLEY KITE FESTIVAL – APRIL 11 – 10 AM UNTIL 3 pm. FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

ROCKFISH VALLEY KITE FLYING FESTIVAL


APRIL 11, 2009, THE SATURDAY BEFORE EASTER

10:00 AM UNTIL 3:00 PM

SPRUCE CREEK PARK in the big field off Glenthorne Loop (rt 627)

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Kite demonstrations and competitions courtesy of members of Richmond Air Force, a professional organization of kite flyers. Some performances are done to music.

Noon

Unfurling of 1200 square foot flag by children in attendance with playing of star spangled banner.

11 AM and 1 PM free dual line group lessons lasting ½ hour

Stunt kites flown, instructions given and kites can be purchased from 2 Guys Flying

Children activities include – free kites and assembly to first 100 children; basket races with parachutes

BRING A PICNIC FOR A FAMILY FUN DAY – NO RAIN DATE

Food vendor Botali’s from Staunton;

SPONSOR:
ROCKFISH VALLEY FOUNDATION

check website for updated information www.rockfishvalley.org

434 361 2251; info@rockfishvalley.org

Co Sponsors: RICHMOND AIR FORCE www.richmondairforce.com

2 GUYS FLYING from Staunton

Blue Ridge Parkway clebrates 75th anniversary

In 2010 Virginia will be celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of America’s favorite scenic drives. The parkway is the most visited unit of the National Park System and winds its way through the highest mountains in the East. Incredible vistas, lush mountain backdrops, hiking trails, overlooks, endangered wildlife and an abundance of flora and fauna have greeted visitors here for generations. Look for special events along the Parkway as 2010 approaches.

August 19, 2008 at 2 PM – dedication of Hurricane Camille Marker

CAMILLE Historic Marker dedication – August 19, 2008 at 2 PM

Everyone is invited to attend the dedication of the Hurricane Camille historic marker located at the Rockfish River Trail head on Rt 151 at the bridge over the S. Fork of the Rockfish River. The dedication will occur at 2 pm on August 19, 2008 which is the 39th anniversary of Hurricane Camille in Nelson County. The devastating rains fell in the evening of August 19 and early morning of August 20.

The program will consist of brief remarks by Nelson County officials, representatives of VA Dept of Historic Resources, VA Dept of Transportation, the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, Cliff Wood , former Nelson County Supervisor and others to be announced. Cliff was involved in the Camille marker placed at Woods Mill in 1971. The additional marker is a replica of that and states:

ON AUGUST 20, 1969, TORRENTIAL RAINS, FOLLOWING REMNANTS OF HURRICANE CAMILLE, DEVASTATED THIS AREA. A RAINFALL IN EXCESS OF 25 INCHES LARELY WITHIN A 5-HOUR PERIOD, SWEPT AWAY OR BURIED MANY MILES OF ROADS, OVER 100 BRIDGES, AND OVER 900 BUILDINGS. 114 PEOPLE DIED AND 37 REMAIN MISSING. THE DAMAGE TOTALED MORE THAN $100,000,000 AND VIRGINIA WAS DECLARED A DISASTER AREA.

This second marker is located on the site of the home of Mr and Mrs Ed Ewing who were swept away by the flood and perished on the evening of August 19, 1969. A total of 125 persons died or were lost in Nelson County which at the time was more than 1% of the population.

Light refreshments will be served. Please call 434 361 2251 for further information.

SCENIC VIRGINA PHOTO CONTEST

CALLING ALL SHUTTERBUGS!!

Scenic Virginia Viewshed Photo Competition

Scenic Virginia wants your beautiful photos of the Commonwealth’s breathtaking vistas for our 2008 Viewshed Photo Competition.

The competition is open to all. We are seeking viewshed photos in the following five categories:

  • Coastal /Chesapeake Bay
  • Mountains
  • Open Space/Farmland
  • Rivers/Waterways
  • Urban Landscapes.

It’s easy to enter. For full competition rules and regulations, visit

our website and click on the link next to the camera on the Home page.

NOTE: The deadline for photo entries (to be submitted online via Flickr™) is Monday, September 1, 2008 (Labor Day) at 5:00 pm.

Questions? Call (804) 643-VIEW

NEWS Trail Walk – Invasive Plants – Monday 6/16/2008

Bryan Wender from VA Dept of Conservation and Recreation will lead a walk along the Rockfish River Monday June 16, 2008. Those interested should meet at 10:00 AM Monday at the Rockfish River/Rt 151 Trail Head – wear comfortable walking shoes. The walk will include a workshop to identify invasive plants and how to control and eliminate them. Please feel free to bring smaples of invasives from your land that you want identified. This will also be an opportunity to identify and discuss native plants appropriate for the river’s edge and wetlands. For further information , contact Peter Agelasto at 434 361 2251.

LILLY when she arrived

The star attraction


LILLY was born May 11, 2005. She arrived at the Rockfish Vally in June 2005. She is the mascott of the Rockfish Valley Foundation. She has spend the winter at her barn on the East side of the highway at Rockfish Valley Farm with her Friends Bambi and Buddy. She will move to her summer home on the West side of Rt 151 as soon as her sheep arrive.