Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Bluemont Citizens Association
Meeting Minutes for Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Bluemont Citizens Association Meeting Minutes March 9, 2022
Via Zoom
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In Attendance: (13)
Peter Weeks, John Constant, Henry Plaster, Kevin Hart, John Sullivan, Dave Ewald, Cynthia Morris, Judy Anderson, Janell Zurschmeide, Scott and Lisa Seeberger
Meeting called to order: 7:06 PM, Peter Weeks – presiding
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President’s Remarks: We’re small in number, but we have great strength!
Treasurer’s Report: We received and deposited $500 from the farmers market and $370 in sponsorship for the newsletter. The treasurer’s report was sent out with reconciliation statements and the 2021 tax return (filed March 2). Dave Ewald is still transitioning as the new treasurer and plans to move to a newer version of QuickBooks. He has set up specific BCA and Heritage mailboxes for treasurer inquiries.
Standing Committees:
• Bluemont Fair – The poster contest has begun and the first admission has been received! Trash services for the fair will be 30% more expensive this year. There is currently a need for a merchandise chair and an assistant for the beer garden.
• Bluemont Heritage – Members of the museum exhibit committee visited the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum and received several artifacts for the upcoming Plaster Museum exhibit: Bluemont – Our Agricultural Roots. The deadline for committee informational panels is March 16 – 20 and the exhibit will open May 1. Through the efforts of Lori Seeley, the Lake Store and Plaster Museum are now on the Loudoun Farm Tour, which is the same weekend as the Spring Fling (May 21-22).
Community Organizations/Events:
• Loudoun Historic Villages Alliance – Our sister village, Philomont, is requesting public input to the county by March 15 on protecting their horseshow grounds from a new firehouse. It would be more cost effective to renovate the current firehouse.
• Community Center Parks & Rec – The Bluemont Shamrock 5K/10K is this Saturday, March 19, starting at 9AM – rain or shine. The Easter egg hunt will be held at Boulder Crest on April 9 at 10AM. Jammin’ on the Porch will return once a month on Fridays from 6:30-8 PM. Musicians are already booked and Will Harken opens the series on May 20. There will also be a summer series for children on Tuesday mornings. Registration for summer camp has begun.
• Snickersville Turnpike Association – March 17 is the deadline for approval of the association’s application to designate the turnpike as a Virginia Historic Landmark.
Old Business:
• VDOT, Foggy Bottom Bridge – The Foggy Bottom bridge is finally finished and looks great. Thank you to Supervisor Buffington and his staff. It was a positive experience in bringing attention to Bluemont and our traffic issues. Speed is still a problem and we are working with VDOT to find solutions. Several ideas for traffic calming are on the table and will eventually be shared with the community for feedback.
• Bluemont Vineyard/Dirt Farm – The Reserve is a new tasting room opening as an extension of Bluemont Vineyard. This will be a 21 and older venue by reservation only. Bluemont neighbors can reserve a space using “Reserve Blue.” Henway is continuing bingo every Sunday at 3PM and will be serving chili through March. Biscuits and Bingo will begin in April. The Farm Market is now open with cider donuts, breads, eggs and local Red Rooster coffee. Estate meats are something new this year. The play area will open March 19. Dirt Farm is holding a supper series every Thursday from 5–7PM with a three-course meal. Reservations are on-line, and the menu changes weekly. Two new beer releases are coming up – Coconut Milk Stout this weekend and Fluster Cluck (silver medal award winner) the first weekend in April. Hours will update starting March 12.
New Business:
• BCA Meetings, in person or Zoom? – Vote was divided, so may consider a hybrid meeting at Dirt Farm next month.
• Lake Store Renovations – The county is working to make the Lake store a property that will last for generations to come. The first thing on the agenda is restoring windows on the second floor and adding storm windows. The storm windows were previously interior, but will now be placed on the exterior. All work will need the approval of Loudoun’s historic group.
• Spring Fling – Scheduled for May 22 at Hogan’s Field. Was canceled last year due to Covid, but the previous year there were 160-180 guests. It will be catered again, this time by a new caterer located in Upperville. We will have a band and hopefully a children’s area. Desserts will be pot luck. Cynthia Morris will emcee and we hope to have scholarship winners present.
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Adjournment: 7:51 PM
Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 6, 2022 @ 7:00 PM
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Notes by: Lisa Seeberger