Tunnel vision: Ecotourism project a future boon?
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Claudius Crozet’s forward thinking two centuries ago is serving as a guide for local leaders trying to turn his technological marvel of a railroad tunnel through the Blue Ridge at Rockfish Gap into a tourist attraction.
“It will be a draw for hikers, for railroad buffs, geology people, history people. There’s a wide swath of people that this should appeal to,” said Emily Harper, the director of parks and recreation in Nelson County, which has taken the lead on the project to repurpose the Crozet Tunnel. Read more
Nelson gets $1.8M for broadband access
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Nelson County has been awarded $1,826,646 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand broadband Internet service in rural areas of the county. The funding for the Nelson County Broadband Project was announced by Fifth District Congressman Tom Perriello on Thursday.
“These stimulus funds give a major boost to residents of Nelson County. Not only will schools, the Blue Ridge Medical Center, and a library benefit, but up to 1,500 households and 250 businesses will have access to more affordable broadband service. This is a critical investment to make our rural communities more competitive and enhance local education, health care, and job growth,” Perriello said. Read more
Snow piles up at Wintergreen
Just in time for holiday season
Staff Report
News Tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
Wintergreen Resort received 30 inches of fresh snow from the weekend winter storm – a boon for winter-sports enthusiasts with the holidays approaching.
“If the forecast and our snowmaking equipment cooperate, we should have almost perfect skiing for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays,” said Hank Thiess, general manager of Wintergreen Resort. Read more
Valley: Ag Secretary designates drought disasters
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Gov. Tim Kaine on Monday announced that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has designated 11 Virginia counties primary natural-disaster areas due to the spring and summer drought, including on that list Nelson County, and that 24 contiguous counties including Rockbridge and Augusta had also received contiguous disaster status, making farmers in those areas eligible for federal disaster assistance.
The assistance can include low-interest loans and supplemental relief that may be provided by Congress in the future.
Local Farm Service Agency offices can provide affected farmers with additional information.
Requests for primary federal drought disaster designations are currently pending for an additional 18 counties, including Albemarle County.
Century-old murder trial brought back to life
Item by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
A 1907 murder trial in Nelson County is the setting of a new play by Faber playwright Peter Coy that will open at the Hamner Theater in Nellysford on May 23.
A Shadow of Honor is inspired by the true events of the William Loving murder trial. Waynesboro resident Jonas Collins will portray William Ruffin, whose character is based on William Loving. A Shadow of Honor tells the story of 1907 through the tale of a young couple who move into the house occupied by Ruffin a century earlier.
Coy has written 25 full-length plays and adaptations, including an adaptation of Earl Hamner’s The Homecoming that was the opening production at the Hamner Theater in 2005.
A Shadow of Honor will play at the Hamner Theater Wednesdays through Sundays through June 1.
A free preview is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m.
For more information about the production, go to www.thehamnertheater.com.
