Meeting Minutes – Village of Bluemont, Virginia

Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, April 2, 2025

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Bluemont Citizens Association

Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Bluemont Winery

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In Attendance: Bill Bogard, John Constant, Luke Edwards, Melissa Hess, Mike Jackwood, Hillary Perkins, Samantha
Smane, Lori Seeley, Tyler Steele, Peter Weeks, Rachel Wetherill, Kate Zurschmeide

Meeting called to order: Peter Weeks – presiding

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Treasurer’s Report:

The March report with specific expenditure amounts will be emailed to everyone soon.
A BCA computer has been purchased for use by the Treasurer.
For the upcoming Spring Fling, a deposit has been paid for the tables and chairs and an additional
deposit of 50 percent paid for catering costs.

Bluemont Fair 2025 News:

The next meeting of the Fair Committee will be at the end of April to select the artwork for the
fair.
For the benefit of fair volunteers, there will be a special night to show the two documentary films
about Snickersville Turnpike and Bluemont. Exact date and time TBD. (Several volunteers have
never seen the films because the documentaries are shown during the time when they are
working their shifts at the fair).

Bluemont Heritage:

Bill Bogard, John Sullivan, and Peter Weeks met to determine what renovations/restorations are
needed for the Snickersville Academy. They conducted a survey of the building and developed a
list of 13 restorations.
The budget is $50K. As a next step, they will get more specific information on prices.
We will begin a fundraising campaign to offset costs as much as possible.
Ideas to work more closely with schools and local Boy Scout troops were discussed.
There will be a community clean-up day in the near future. Date TBD.

Snickersville Turnpike Association:

A picnic is planned for some time in either August or October. This will be an invitation only
event.

Spring Museum Exhibition:

The exhibit is called Fiber Arts of the Blue Ridge.
Set up of exhibit items is underway.
The exhibit will include a variety of plant and animal fibers, antique tools, natural dyes, and quilts.
The organizers hope to tie in with local fiber mills.
The exhibit will run from May 4 through the first week of October and from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on
Sundays. There may be days when hours could be extended.

Documentary Film:

Tyler Steele is in the process of filming events for use in the film.
The subject of the documentary is a year in the life of Bluemont.
As part of the film’s content, he plans to conduct interviews of key individuals after the Bluemont
Fair.
Anyone selected to be interviewed will need to sign a waiver.
To learn more about this project, check out Tyler’s website.

Arbor Day Tree Giveaway:

On April 25, in honor of Arbor Day, 40 trees and shrubs will be given out.
Venue is at the EE Lake Store.
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. An announcement will be sent out ahead of time.
The tree giveaway is on a first come, first served basis.
Trees are saplings and should be planted as soon as possible.

Boulder Crest Tour:

The time to register for the tour is now.
Tour will take place on Wednesday, May 7 from noon to 2:00 p.m.
It will include the Memorial garden, one of the family cabins, artwork, stables, and the lodge.
Tour is free, but advance registration is required.
To register, send an email to bluemontvillage@aol.com.
So far, only one person has registered. If you would like to attend, please register now.
Please spread the word to others who may be interested.

Land Use Forum:

There will be a Land Use Forum at the BCC with date and time TBD.
It will feature a variety of discussion groups for individuals to join.
This is an informational event for the community.
Some of the discussion topics include tax benefits for farming, tax benefits for conservation
easement, planning for power transmission lines, cash grants for planning trees.
Additional information will follow.

Community Litter Pick-up Day:

We are clearing the way for a potential new trail to provide safer and easier access from Bear’s Den to
the Bluemont store and Post Office. Clearing litter will make the path cleaner and safer for everyone to
use. Trash grabbers, trash bags, and gloves will be provided. Terrain is uneven, so wear sturdy shoes.
Meet at 1:00PM at the hairpin turn on Snickersville Turnpike.

Next Meeting:

May 7, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. – Dirt Farm Brewing

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Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, March 5, 2025

BCA Meeting Minutes PDF

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Bluemont Citizens Association

Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Bluemont Community Center

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In Attendance: Bill Bogard, Glen Breining, John Constant, Melissa Hess, Cynthia Morris, Tom Rust, Rachel Steele, Tyler Steele, Peter Weeks, Rachel Wetherill

Meeting called to order: Peter Weeks – presiding

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Documentary Film of Bluemont:

Tyler Steele, a resident of Bluemont and a film maker, will be filming at various Bluemont events to put together a documentary film about a year in the life of the Bluemont community. He will be assisted by his wife, Rachel. More information will be coming in an email and in the next Bugle. Tyler was present, filming our meeting.

Treasurer’s Report:

This week, we made our annual $250 contribution to the historic Astin Grove Baptist Church—considered a part of Bluemont Heritage.
Additionally, we made contributions to the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) Association and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC).
The A.T. Festival will take place on June 7. Peter and Melissa attended a virtual meeting with the festival committee and we are providing support by researching vendors for t-shirts that will be sold at the festival. Melissa will also write a grant proposal.

Bluemont Fair 2025 News:

There will be a committee-wide meeting this week to vote on whether or not to increase the fair’s admission fee.
For greater consistency in marketing, we will be sending out a branding email to gather information and feedback.
There are two remaining volunteer roles that need to be filled: 1) The Technology Chair and 2) An A.V. support person to run videos. We need one person to commit to being at the fair both days to run the videos over a specified period of time. Talk to Cynthia for more info.

Bluemont Heritage:

This year is the 200^th anniversary of Snickersville Academy. We are looking to tidy it up and met with contractors to look it over, determine what is needed, and develop a statement of work.
We could use a community clean-up day.
Access to the Snickersville Academy is VDOT right away. We approached VDOT about us taking it over and spoke with the VDOT liaison about this. The arrangement for right away was made in 1930 and the liaison will need to do further research.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors:

The 81-year-old neighbor (that many in our community have been helping) has received assistance from the County and now has a social worker. She is also covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Over the holidays, she received a gift card from individuals and was able to purchase items she needed. She has a wish list and is hoping for a donation of a recliner—so her son will have a place to sleep.

Snickersville Turnpike Association:

Is currently working on the website.
Discussion continued from last meeting, regarding the construction of a new cell phone tower in Philomont.

Museum Exhibition:

Peter attended a meeting with representatives from Fiber Arts and the Quilters’ Guild to discuss specifics for the exhibition.
There is another meeting later this month.
The two organizations will run the exhibit and are preparing for a late April/May opening.

Farmer’s Market News:

We need to find a new vendor for the Farmer’s Market. We would like the Sunday market to continue, as this brings people to the museum. If you have suggestions, please talk to Peter.

Bear’s Den News:

Guest Glen Breining, Property Manager at Bear’s Den, reported that Bear’s Den has experienced financial challenges and is looking info possibilities for fund raising. Glen will be leading this effort.

Reminder:

On the front page of the Bugle is a call for volunteers to work on committee-based events going forward. All the 2025 events are listed there. We need volunteers and a follow up email will go out next week.

Next Meeting:

April 2, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. – at Bluemont Vineyard.

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Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Kat Kiritsis
February 5, 2025
Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes PDF

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Bluemont Citizens Association

Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Bluemont Community Center

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In Attendance: Bill Bogard, John Constant, Dave Ewald, Holly Green, Melissa Hess, Michael Jackwood, Hillary Perkins,
Peter Weeks, Rachel Wetherill, Hailey Zurschmeide

Meeting called to order: Peter Weeks – presiding

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Treasurer’s Report:

Hillary Perkins was introduced as the new BCA Treasurer. A big thank you to Dave Ewald for his
past service and for extending his service to help mentor Hillary, as she gets on board.
As of 31 January, the combined total of the Operating Account, Money Market Account and Fair
Account is $117,722.62.
A vote was taken to allocate funds to purchase a laptop for BCA to be used by the Treasurer and a second vote to preapprove funding for a sponsorship of the Shamrock Run (if sponsorships are available this year). Both passed unanimously.

Bluemont Fair 2025 News:

A meeting will take place on February 12 to decide on a theme.

Loudoun Historic Village Alliance:

Peter spoke at the public hearing before the Board of Supervisors this past week, lobbying the Board to pass the Comprehensive Plan Amendment regarding rural historic villages. Establishing Bluemont as a historic village will give Bluemont stronger representation and place at the table to have a voice in civic matters, such as proposed changes to our community.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors:

An informal community of 4-5 women in our community is helping to provide the 81-year-old neighbor the support she needs. Expenses for this are coming out-of-pocket from the volunteers.
A suggestion was made to get in touch with Kim, find out more about the dollar amount needed for support, and then go from there to see what can be done.

Snickersville Turnpike Association:

The Association’s primary mission is to keep the esthetics of driving down Snickersville Turnpike.
With talk of the new fire station to be built in Philomont, it has been brought to the Association’s attention the issue of the construction of a possible new cell phone tower that would allow an additional carrier to offer service and alleviate or lessen the dropping of cell phone calls.
Current discussions include to put the new cell phone tower where the recycle bins are (between the Philomont store and Community Center) or place it on the new fire house compound, disguised or camouflaged in some way.
How important is it to keep the look of Snickersville Turnpike? John flagged the issue for our attention and further discussion.

Bluemont Bugle Update:

The next issue of the Bugle (due out in less than two weeks) will highlight volunteers, as well as the new BCA officers.
It will also introduce a committee-based approach to organizing community events.
The theme of volunteerism is a chance to broaden our volunteer base and provide opportunities for people in our community to get involved.

BCA Website:

The BCA website is in the process of being updated.
Melissa and Kat will work on this.

Update on Easement to have a foot path to get onto Snickersville Turnpike

Peter reported a committee of 4-5 hikers walked a potential trail that would make it easier for hikers from Bears’ Den to come into the Bluemont Post Office and country store.
It is not likely lots of people will want to use such a trail.
We continue to look at obtaining an easement from Dominion Energy. We could possibly approach privately-owned areas; however, we are not at that stage.

New Business:

John MacDonald, a local photographer and one of the first people on the scene of the TWA plane crash (and a former Washington Post employee), would like to do a retrospective of his photography.
Should we consider inviting him to do a presentation for us or do something at the store or at a future event? To be discussed further.

Additional trees for Bluemont:

Luke Edwards is aware of a program that has funding available for the purchase of trees.
He will submit an invitation on our behalf.
It is likely we will be able to get additional trees.

Next Meeting: • March 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. – Bluemont Community Center

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Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Kat Kiritsis
January 8, 2025
Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes PDF

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Bluemont Citizens Association

Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Bluemont Community Center

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In Attendance: Bill Bogard, Melissa Hess, Mike Jackwood, Hillary Perkins, Jen Stone, John Sullivan, Peter Weeks, Kate Zurschmeide

Meeting called to order: Peter Weeks – presiding

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BCA Officers Election:

The following individuals were elected by unanimous vote:

President: Peter Weeks
Vice President Bill Bogard
Secretary: Melissa Hess
Treasurer: Dave Ewald (Interim), Hillary Perkins

Standing Committees:

Bluemont Fair 2025 News:

We will choose a theme for the fair on February 12
Artwork will be selected in April
There will be preparations after that
Dinner for volunteers will be September 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Bluemont Fair dates at the BCC: (exact time TBD)

February 12
April 30
June 25
August 13 at a local winery or brewery (Date to be confirmed)
September 10 at Bluemont Station

Bluemont Heritage/TWA Memorial Archives:

We continue to receive letters from families who attended the December 1 memorial event. All letters are being archived by the museum.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors:

A discussion took place regarding the living situation and current needs for an 81-year-old Bluemont neighbor who is living alone and needs help.
Discussion included considering possible interim steps during the exceptionally cold winter temperatures, finding out more about available resources, getting professional assistance, and figuring out what is best course of action in the long term.
As a next step, a Loudoun County family counselor will be contacted.

Community Center Parks and Recreation Announcements:

We will not be having the traditional Bluemont Shamrock race this year, but we will have a 5k and Kids Fun run at Great Country Farms.
Preschool Registration 2024-26 begins February 11 for new families.
Now hiring Summer Camp staff. Reach out to BCC for more information.

Registration required for the following: