It is Friday, the 14th of July. It is hard to believe that we have half of 2023 left for our adventures. The weather is rather nice here in Scottsville, and the Tiger Fuel worksite across Valley Street from me is quiet. Welcome to the James Exchange. I am Nancy Gill your host.
This weekend—July 15 & 16—there is an Estate/Yard Sale at 1125 James River Road. Come on out and meet Doris, an energetic, spicy lady who knows what she has to offer anyone who makes her an offer! The barn and wood shop are full with a variety of kitchen ware, wood shop tools, trunks, furniture, an original Fred Oesch sculpture, jewelry, lawn & garden equipment, a circa 1837 pianoforte, and a wide assortment of clothing. On a side note, Doris wants it known that all clothing sales will be donated to Christ Church of Saint Anne’s Parrish. Hours are 8:00 to 4:00. All sales are final. Checks with an ID, cash, and credit cards are accepted.
What a week it has been on the Tiger Fuel worksite. The crew spent quite a bit of the week digging three very deep holes and yesterday tanks were installed and buried. The huge pile of stone is now much smaller. The prep work for the slab has been completed, The storm water control system is in place. And, as I said earlier, it is quiet there today.
Are you interested in joining a hiking group? We are in the beginning of organizing one and would like to promote a hike a month in the Central Virginia area. Additionally, we are working with Aileen Morse, Scottsville Town Councilor, on an agreement between the town and the hiking group to help out with some of the parks maintenance. Stay tuned on this, but please email The James Exchange if you would like to know when the fun begins.
Lincoln Lewis, a Phd candidate at UVA, has joined the Scottsville town staff as an intern. He is currently putting the finishing touches on a survey as part of community engagement for the Town’s comprehensive plan. Lewis was part of a team that developed the engagement process for this project. And, they received the “Student Planning Project for the Year” by the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association.
From their website https://www.apavirginia.com/planning-awards
Every year, the American Planning Association’s Virginia Chapter honors and showcases the best in planning throughout the Commonwealth with its annual Awards Program. The Chapter recognizes the tireless work of individuals who spearhead great planning throughout Virginia. APA Virginia convenes a panel of peers each year for its Awards Committee representative of the profession’s depth and diversity to identify, acknowledge and promote great planning.
I would venture a guess that few of my listeners know Frank Dukes. In addition to his students’ work being recognized, he was named the “2023 Outstanding Faculty Award” winner. Frank is no stranger to Scottsville and Esmont. He serves on the board of Health Equity and Access in Rural Regions (HEARR) and with Dr. Preston Reynolds, also a board member, have brought funding for water testing, Covid 19 surveys and focus groups. He also led three convening session for HEARR as organizers were reaching out to various community leaders and stakeholders.
Speaking of HEARR, they are in the planning process for their September 15 Health and Wellness Fair which will be held in Fluvanna County this year. Other projects are a series of health modules, Take a Hike Day, and continued work on the HEARR Guide and website.
From the desk of Edward Brooks, Program Coordinator at the B.F. Yancey Community Center is Esmont:
You’ve heard about it and the time has come to kick off a new exercise/fitness class this weekend officially called, “Extreme Hip Hop/Family Fun Movement” class. The offering is FREE sponsored by our growing partnership with Sentara/Martha Jefferson Hospital and the Albemarle County Division of Parks and Recreation. .
The class will be held in the Yancey Community Center gymnasium (9:30am – 10:30am) right after our weekly Saturday morning, “Esmont Walks in Simpson Park” completes (8:00 – 9:00am). We want you to do both. Our instructor, John “JT” Thompson, is a certified EXTREME HIP HOP instructor, graduate of the University of South Carolina with a BA in Education and Non-Profit Administration, plus Masters in Executive Leadership and Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, both from Liberty University. Initially, we’re going to limit the class size to the first thirty arrivals due to spacing requirements.
There is much happening around our fair ‘Ville. Enjoy your weekend, stop by and say hi to Doris this weekend!
As always, if you have a song, a story, an event, or an issue you would like to discuss, perhaps it is time for a conversation.
It's A Quiet Day on My Corner