Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, June 7, 2022
Bluemont Citizens Association
Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, June 7, 2022
Bluemont Citizens Association Meeting Minutes June 7 , 2022
Hybrid Zoom/The Reserve (BV)
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In Attendance: (13)
Peter Weeks, Dave Ewald, John Sullivan, Tom and Marilyn Rust, Gail Kelly, Kate and Janell Zurschmeide, Linda Brown, Skip and Patti Pettit, Lisa Seeberger – Sheri Conrad via Zoom
Meeting called to order: 7:15 PM, Peter Weeks – presiding
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President’s Remarks:
Welcome to Skip and Patti Pettit, who have been absent for some time. Thank you, also, to everyone else who made the challenging drive up to The Reserve tonight.
Treasurer’s Report:
This month we had a few big expenditures. The Spring Fling was $3.3K, Management Liability Insurance was ~ $1.3K and the fair is up ~ $2k in vendor fees. We did earn a little on investment accounts this month. Five scholarships were given totaling ~ $8K. Two were presented at the Spring Fling and the others were given at local high schools. Partial scholarships are now being awarded to those without community service.
Standing Committees:
• Bluemont Heritage
Two weekends ago we took part in the Loudoun Farm Tour. Great Country Farms noted attendance was down this year, but likely due to weather (extremely hot). The museum benefited from the tour as it had over 50 guests. Maria Nicklin has put in native plantings (paid for by BH) along the stream by Snickersville Academy and is also cutting the grass (with a push mower!). John Sullivan is looking into patch work that needs to be completed on the Academy and a decision needs to be made on whether to run a dehumidifier inside 24/7. Kevin Hart has officially archived and posted over 400 historical items on our website. More items will be coming as we have received boxes from the Plaster family and Richard Falknor’s estate. Boulder Crest has purchased the Falknor home and will be using it as a place for VIPs to stay.
Community Organizations/Events:
- Loudoun Historic Villages Alliance – PEC has offered $600k for the Aldie Assemblage. This will likely be the winning bid and they will take over restoration of the property.
- Community Center/Parks & Rec – A natural play area for children is being constructed between the garden shed and caboose. The area will feature pea gravel, mulch, stump areas, a mud kitchen, fairy garden, etc. The summer series Jammin’ on the Porch held its first event last month with a smaller crowd than hoped for. They are seeking more ways to market the series and will be offering free pizza at the next session on June 24. The featured artist will be Julia Kasdorf. This is a free, family friendly series held once a month on Fridays from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM. A free summer entertainment series for children will also be held once a month on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM. Summer camp begins June 20 and camp enrollment is full.
- Snickersville Turnpike Association – John Constant was elected president at the last meeting, Peter Weeks is vice president. Now that the Turnpike is on the National Register of Historic Places, there will be a celebratory party for those living on the Tnpk. and the assoc. will be creating a sign announcing the new designation.
Old Business:
- Spring Fling Revisited – There have been positive remarks from those who attended. The music was great from the Short Hill Mountain Boys and they have agreed to return next year. This was the first public event in Bluemont since 2019, so attendance was in question. In 2019, 170 people attended – this year we had 165. It was a huge success and many thanks to Loudoun County for their help.
New Business:
- Bluemont Vineyard/Dirt Farm – Dirt Farm has a new home-grown beer called Peachy Mother Pucker. Every other Sunday is a Market on the Mountain with artisan vendors from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Approaching Father’s Day, there will be a prime rib dinner on Thursday, 6/16. The Thursday supper series continues for the summer, but will feature only burgers and fries on the menu. Ax throwing is coming on both Sat. and Sun. for Father’s Day weekend and a pig roast will be held on Father’s Day, 6/19. Fourth of July tickets are now available for purchase. Bluemont Vineyard will feature Ribs & Rosé for Father’s Day. Father’s Day at Henway will include their annual fishing tournament from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. They are also debuting a new soft-serve frozen hard cider.
- VDOT Update – Traffic counting was completed for a week-long period. VDOT is committed to improving the situation, along with Tony Buffington and his office. Sometime over the next month or so we will obtain the results and find out what recommendations are being made to mediate the situation.
- Appalachian Trail Festival – Saturday, 6/11, at B Chord from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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Adjournment: 8:07 PM
Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 6, 2022 @ 7:00 PM
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Notes by: Lisa Seeberger
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