Public Transit Service Update
JAUNT, Inc. is a limited regional transportation service that provides passenger pickup on weekdays for transport to Charlottesville and a circulator operation service in the southern two-thirds of the county.
Ted Rieck, CEO of JAUNT, Inc., presented a funding increase request at the January 10 Nelson County Board of Supervisors meeting. Reasons for the increased funding request included a reduction in Covid relief funding along with an upward trend in ridership demand, increased fuels costs and raising base wages for bus operators.
Linda Harrington and Kate Pietrowich, “Here to Stay” Wintergreen representatives, provided public comments to the Board of Supervisors in support of JAUNT service expansion on Route 151. Expansion of service would include the Wintergreen and Afton/Greenfield area and an increase in service from three to five days a week. Supervisors will need to know if citizens support JAUNT services to vote in favor of the increased budget.
Rides are booked by phone 434-296-3184 or online at ridejaunt.org.
Culture and History Panel Planned
A public program on the culture and history of the Rockfish Valley is planned for Sunday, February 26, at 2 p.m. at Tuckahoe Clubhouse in Stoney Creek (37 Stone Orchard Dr, Nellysford). Peter Agelasto III of the Rockfish Valley Foundation describes the event as a program to “unveil the entire work of Tommy and Yvette Stafford from Nelson County Life and Blue Ridge Life, including more than 1000 digitized stories of Nelson County now available for reading in a searchable comprehensive online index and database.” Nathan Parrish, an intern with Rockfish Valley Foundation, undertook the project along with the Staffords, Susan Huffman, Nelson Library branch manager, and Agelasto.
A panel including the Staffords, Woody Greenberg, Gene Hughes, Mary Cunningham, Lynn Coffey, and others will be present to discuss resources including historic properties, and local districts such as South Rockfish Valley Rural Historic District.
Attendance is free with seating is limited to 60. To attend in person or obtain the link for Zoom, please email a request to [email protected].
Pharmacy Service Returns
The Nellysford community has been missing a vital service since Stoney Creek Pharmacy closed its doors. The Valley Green Shopping Center changed hands in 2006 and Joe Lee McClellan, Inc. is the current owner. A new opportunity has been secured with University of Virginia for the 4,143-square-foot pharmacy at 2831 Rockfish Valley Hwy. Dr. Tim Rucker, Family Medicine Stoney Creek and Here to Stay Board member said, “UVA Health will renovate about 1,000 square feet for a pharmacy and hold the remaining space for further use. The pharmacy should open in mid-2023.”
CORRECTION: The Gazette erroneously reported in its February issue that the Valley Green Shopping Center in Nellysford was sold. It has not sold or changed hands. The Gazette regrets the mistake and any inconvenience it may have caused.
Rockfish Valley Community Center
A line dancing class with Melinda Tremblay has been so popular this year that it now fills the auditorium. This is a drop-in class, and all are invited to join the fun and movement on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. for $5 a class. No experience necessary. Some dances may be familiar, like the Electric Slide and The Wobble, and new dances will be added. This is a great opportunity to learn many of the dances that you see at weddings and group events. Just learning basic line dance steps allows for joining in the fun on the dance floor no matter what dance is being danced. Wear soft-soled shoes. Contact [email protected] for questions and registration.
