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05/11/2024

Festival of Trees Kicks Off Dec. 6 at Lake Monticello

Lake Monticello’s fifth annual Festival of Trees will be Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6 and 7, at the Ashlawn Clubhouse. The event, in addition to launching the Lake’s holiday season, is one of the larger fundraisers for the Lake Monticello Community Foundation.

The Festival begins Friday evening with a 6 p.m. dinner dance at Ashlawn. Attendees get a chance to preview the two dozen holiday trees, each decorated by a local business or group, most with valuable gifts and prizes. They will also enjoy a gourmet dinner and dance to Sh’boom.

The free Festival Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. gives visitors the opportunity to tour the trees, talk with Santa, and listen to holiday stories read by Mrs. Claus.

At both events, visitors will be able to buy raffle tickets which they can use to try to win the decorated tree of their choice, along with all the decorations and prizes and gifts.

All proceeds from the Festival of Trees and the raffle go to benefit the charities and projects of the Lake Monticello Community Foundation. In addition to giving public service scholarships to local high school students and grants to many local public service organizations, the Foundation, a 501©3, donated the All-Inclusive Playground, new kayak launch ramps and other benefits to the community, and is now raising money for a proposed family pavilion.

03/11/2024

Great crowd, including quite a few Lakers, at the event Sunday commemorating the arrival of Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette in Fluvanna 200 years ago. The event included the unveiling of a historical marker about the 1824 event, and is the beginning of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War.

01/11/2024

Draft LMOA Budget Projects Operating and Overall 2025 Surpluses

The draft LMOA budget for 2025 projects a $200,000 improvement from the expected near-breakeven 2024 budget, and from deficits in 2023 and 2024, according to LMOA slides prepared for the budget workshop next Thursday. It also projects a $500,000 overall surplus for the year.

Key factors in the improvement, in addition to the expected 3% dues increase and the $150 increase approved by residents, are a projected small golf surplus “for the first time ever,” and the cap on food & beverage losses due to the new contract for the Bunker Bistro.

The $150 per household dues increase will provide an additional $730,000 annually for reserves, to a total of $1.86 Million for 2025, the slides say. Of the reserves increase, it assumes $100 of the dues increase will go to general reserves, $25 to roads reserves, and $25 to lake health reserves.

The budget is based on several 2025 budget goals:
 Increasing the starting pay of police officers and filling the open police officer position, plus hiring a part-time police offer for the Lake.
 Using the maintenance department to reduce reserve costs.
 Upgrading the marina manager position to become the Marina & Lake Manager in order to provide more staff focus on Lake health, at a cost of about an additional $30,000 per year,
 Reinstating the ECC field officer position fulltime.
 Hiring a half-time communications officer “to continue to enhance overall member information.”

Assumptions for the 2025 budget include inflation of 3.2% for the year, that the $150 dues increase will be allocated to Reserves and the 3% dues increase will be allocated to operations, that most amenities fees will increase by about 3% but pool revenue will decrease by about $46,000 due to giving pool passes to each household in 2025.

It also assumes interest rates will decrease, golf contract rates will increase 3% and public golf revenue will grow 7% due to dynamic pricing and increased marketing, that LMOA will fill three more fulltime positions for operations, a 10% employee health insurance increase, a continued subsidy of $100,000 for F&B, a liability insurance increase of 8%, and a 7% increase in payments to Allied Security.

Significant budget changes in spending include overtime going down to $20,800 from $117,911, the 3% salary increase, health insurance costs increasing to $275,943 from $216,578, spending on equipment leases dropping to $25,488 from $58,383 but vehicle repairs and maintenance going up to $46,592 from $19,354; transportation growing to $118,548 from $77,467, and total operating spending growing to $6,552,630 from $5,927,653.

Total budgeted revenue is $10,155,259, including operational revenue growing $196,708 to $6.7 million, higher interest rates generating $100,000, vs. the projected $39,529 this year, and the 3% dues growing dues revenue to $4,168,126 from $4,017,939.

The budget projects property transfer fee income will grow to about $207,000 as home sales pick up, in addition to the current PTF balance of $769,662. Though no decisions on PTF use have been made, the slides mention two large potential uses -- $110,000 for additional boat slips, which would be recovered through 15 years of rental fees, and possibly $500,000 for physical access and gate security measures, including cameras for common areas with monitoring and improved parking for events.

The Thursday budget hearing and work session is to begin at 6 p.m. at the Bistro, with the possibility of continuing at the same time Friday. Public comment will be allowed. The final budget is expected to be adopted at the Nov. 21 board meeting.

By Mike Feazel

31/10/2024

Home Solar Decisions Not Simple; Here’s Some Help

Making decisions on whether to install home solar, and then who to pay to do it, isn’t simple, speakers said Thursday at a solar seminar at Fluvanna Library organized by the Fluvanna Leadership Alumni Group, but the long-term result could be good financially and for the environment.

Not everyone can benefit from home solar, said Keoni Rison, an energy advisor for Dominion Energy Solutions, a sister company of Dominion Energy. Homes can be too shaded by trees or have roof orientations that make solar less effective, he said.

Solar also is a long-term, not necessarily short-term, economic benefit, said Andrew Cotter, the energy expert for Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC). He said home solar systems typically break even after 12-13 years, with the energy provided after that essentially free for the 25-30 year lifetime of the system.

Even then, electric power isn’t free. Unless they invest in very expensive batteries, homes must be connected to the electric company so they have power when the sun isn’t shining. There’s a fee (about $38 a month for CVEC) for the connection to the power grid, and homeowners must pay standard rates for utility electricity they use in excess of what their solar systems provide to the grid.

But the benefits can be significant, financially and to the environment. Lake Monticello resident Steve Smith, who installed solar five years ago and has kept extensive records, said he saves $873 a year on his electric bill with a system designed to replace half of the electricity he had been paying CVEC for his all-electric home.

Another big benefit financially is in resale value for the home. Rison said real estate studies have shown that installed solar increases a home’s value by at least 4.1%, and some suggested 6-7%. Another major benefit is that the solar array protects you from almost-certain utility cost increases over its 25-30 year lifetime.

Smith also noted he has saved 36 tons of CO2 from entering the environment over the five years of his system. Speakers said a somewhat typical 16-panel solar array would benefit the environment by an amount equivalent to 200 mature, full-sized trees.

But solar is a big investment. Smith said his solar cost “as much as a brand new car.” Others estimated enough solar to fully power a house would cost in the $40,000-$50,000 range. Many solar companies provide 25-year financing for the solar systems, or homeowners can use other credit such as home equity loans.

The cost is mitigated by the 30% tax credit from the federal government, lowering the effective cost of the solar arrays by that much. Homeowners also can benefit from selling Solar Renewable Energy Credits through a broker. “This is not a scam,” Cotter said. “It’s the real thing.”

Once a decision is made on home solar, the difficult choice is who to hire to install it. Speakers made several urgent suggestions:
 Get at least three quotes from qualified, established installers. Established installers are important because warranties are often for 25 years, and buyers need confidence that the companies will still be around to fulfill the warranties.
 Carefully read customer reviews of the companies you’re considering.
 Remember, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.”
 Get everything, including guarantees, in writing.
 Make sure the guarantees include a specific power output, and that the company will solve the problem if the solar array doesn’t provide that much power.
 Solar systems currently should cost between $3 and $4 per watt produced.
 Make sure the company doesn’t sell you more solar arrays than are useful. The installer has financial incentives to sell you as many arrays as possible, but some in shaded areas or on roof areas facing the wrong way won’t produce enough power to be justified.
 Make sure the system uses microconverters, not string converters. One microconverter is connected to each solar panel, assuring if it fails only that panel stops producing. A string converter is connected to multiple panels, so if it fails several panels may stop.
 Buyers must keep in mind that they may still face high electric bills in months such as February when the sun provides 50% less energy, and that the total solar cost, including financing costs, is often higher in the early years, with the big payoff coming in later years.
Both CVEC and Dominion Energy provide unbiased advice and feedback on solar projects, they said. Rison noted neither his nor Cotter’s pay is based on selling solar systems. Contact Rison at [email protected], and Cotter at [email protected].

By Mike Feazel

27/10/2024

2024 Fluvanna voting locations

COLUMBIA PRECINCT
Kents Store Agricultural Recreation Center (A.R.C.) Building
111 Kents Store Way
Kents Store, VA 23084

CUNNINGHAM PRECINCT
Antioch Church
4422 Antioch Road
Scottsville, VA 24590

FORK UNION PRECINCT
Fluvanna County Community Center
5725 James Madison Highway
Fork Union, VA 23055

PALMYRA PRECINCT
Beaver Dam Baptist Church
1794 Richmond Rd
Troy, VA 22974

RIVANNA PRECINCT
Lake Monticello Fire House, Maple Room
10 Slice Road
Palmyra, VA 22963

25/10/2024

Aqua Said Reneging on Colonial Circle Pump Promise

Aqua didn’t follow through on its promise to install a new sewer pump near the Monish gate before it starts serving customers at the new Colonial Circle development, LMOA President Larry Henson said during the LMOA board meeting Thursday.

The first residents will begin moving into the Colonial Circle development Nov. 1, LMOA officials said, but the new pump won’t be installed for at least three months. They said the issue is important to the Lake because Colonial Circle sewage will pass through Lake pipes on the way to the Aqua treatment facility.

Aqua committed to installing a bigger pump near Monish, both to handle increased volume and to allow a backup pump, Henson said. He said LMOA sent a letter to Aqua Oct. 15 expressing concerns about the new pump but hasn’t received a reply.

Henson noted there were no reported sewage spills into the Lake this summer and attributed that partially to the efforts of a joint Lake-Aqua working group and Aqua’s efforts to improve the sewage system.

If residents experience water pressure losses or sewage issues they should notify LMOA and file a formal complaint with the State Corporation Commission (www.aquawater.com/contactus.php), said Henson and Lake resident Steve Smith. Notifying LMOA will help assure that Aqua responds directly to each complaint, as the SCC requires, they said.

Responding to Lake residents expressing concerns about the location of a proposed new pavilion at the Lake, Henson said LMOA will set up a working group comprised of representatives of LMOA, the Lake Monticello Community Foundation, which would pay for the pavilion, and residents to vet the process. Despite a unanimous LMOA board vote last month to approve building the pavilion near the Ashlawn Clubhouse, Henson indicated that isn’t necessarily final. He said LMOA’s “language was wrong” in the proposal voted upon and “nothing is final until we hear from the residents and answer all questions.” He apologized for the “lack of communication.”

Residents including Kent Buckley raised concerns at the board meeting about noise, lights, crowds, parking and other issues if the pavilion is built near homes at Ashlawn. He said the residents don’t necessarily oppose the pavilion, “but it needs more thought.” He said it could be a “good project,” but there are questions about the location.

In other actions at the Thursday meeting:

 Facilities Director Tracy Chandler, filling in for the general manager, said LMOA expects to end the year with a $500,000 surplus, mainly due to savings in food and beverage.
 Resident Rick Roth said LMOA needs to start looking at upgrades for its security and gate systems, which are out-of-date. He said LMOA needs to “get serious” about looking at options for the system, and determining what type of security residents want.
 Resident Ann Walker said LMOA needs a working group on re-launching fireworks in 2026, and Henson agreed.

By Mike Feazel

24/10/2024

After all the contributions were counted, including online and by the vendors, the Help for Helene concert Friday at Cunningham Creek Winery netted $6020 for the victims of Hurricane Helene and the United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County, organizers said..

23/10/2024

Fluvanna Arts Tour Called Big Success

Last weekend’s Fluvanna Studio Arts Tour was probably the biggest ever, with an estimated 250-300 visitors coming from as far away as Staunton, Richmon and Fredericksburg, said Diane Wilkin, one of the organizers.

Some artist studios had more than 150 visitors on Saturday alone, with about half that number on Sunday. Visitors lingered and had a chance to have “really nice conversations” with artists, Wilkin said.

Comments by visitors included: "Such a fun way to showcase local talent." "Loved it! Fluvanna Rocks!" and "So enjoyed talking to artists. I Learned so much!”

“It exceeded our expectations,” said Kim Critzer, a new artist on the tour this year. About half of the artists on the tour are members of the Fluvanna Art Association.

22/10/2024

LMOA Board to Consider Algae Issues, Non-Residents at Meetings

The LMOA board will decide Thursday whether to begin the process of finding a consultant to investigate increasing levels of algae in the Lake and Tufton Pond, according to the packet released in advance of the meeting.

The materials in the packet say lab results showed growing levels of “bad” algae in 2021, 2022 and 2023, including “a dramatic spike in September 2023.” Tests in 2024 showed “a concerning ratio of bad to good algae” in August and September, it said.

The Facilities and Lake Operations Committee said there is evidence that the harmful algae blooms are affected by low oxygen levels in Lake water below depths of 12-16 feet, where oxygen levels near zero.

“Existing data now shows an increasing potential for [harmful algae] in the main lake as has already been the case in … Tufton Pond,” the packet says. The committee recommended hiring a consultant that can “give LMOA options for actions and their associated costs, to reduce the likelihood of [harmful algae blooms] on Lake Monticello.”

The recommended motion is to authorize LMOA to seek bids for a consultant.

The board also is scheduled to act on a proposal to require non-residents, including media, to get LMOA approval before attending any LMOA committee meetings. The packet says non-residents “could potentially give misleading information or spark conflicts of interest with the position of the LMOA. These attendees also have no accountability to LMOA or its residents.”

By Mike Feazel

22/10/2024

You can't miss Jeff Spinello's Halloween display on Lewis Ct.

21/10/2024

The witches and warlocks were out in force on Lake Monticello Saturday, under the careful oversight of the Water Safety Team.
(Photos by Diane Kerr)

19/10/2024

Last night's Help for Helene concert at Cunningham Creek Winery was a huge success -- attracting about 300 people and collecting more than $2.400 in cash, plus the portion of wine and food sales being donated and the money donated directly to Asheville United Way through the QR code and website.

16/10/2024

“Lakeside To Go” Up and Running, Ordering Called ‘Easy’

The new Lake way to order dinner, “Lakeside to Go,” is fully functional, said Bunker Bistro Manager Jacie Dunkle. The service, which operates out of the Ashlawn Clubhouse, offers its own menu – everything from lasagna to wings, plus a variety of side dishes.

The service is only available online –- click on the QR code, or go to https://bunkerbistro.com and click on the tab “Lakeside Dinner to Go Ordering.” The last available order time is 5:59pm weekdays and Saturday, and 3:59pm on Sunday. Dunkle says these times will adjust when winter hours go into effect.

There are two options --hot meal fully prepared to eat right away, or pre-cooked frozen meals you heat up at home. Pick up is at the Ashlawn (aka the Main) Clubhouse, 41 Ashlawn Blvd.

Laker Doris Ward told Lake Monticello News, “We enjoyed our meal very much… My husband and I are going to order something different each week to see what we like best.” The Wards ordered the Chicken Cordon Bleu first and said it was delicious and they loved the Rice Pilaf and Caesar Salad, too.

Lakers Kirk, Heather and Colin Evans also had a positive experience. Kirk said, on a recent busy Saturday, “I knew dinner was coming up and I had nothing planned … Three minutes to order online, and by 4:30pm we picked up and had a great meal that lasted into [the next day.] In terms of the quality of the food, Evans said “the sliders were tasty and plump, the lasagna was spicy and rich, and the polenta was amazing. The veggies were cooked perfectly. I found the whole process seamless, quick, and efficient.”

Ward concluded: “I am so happy we have the option to ‘Order To Go’ here at the Lake. Jacie and the rest of the food and beverage employees are doing a wonderful job.” Evans concurred: “[Lakeside To Go], by Bunker Bistro, was excellent in all aspects.”

By Tricia Callahan

10/10/2024

Full house at Bunker Bistro tonight for the first open mic night. Multiple musicians,, some part of well-known local bands playing solo, and some not, played 15-minute sets each to the appreciative crowd.
Photos by Rich Russell

07/10/2024

Fluvanna Arts Studio Tour Adds Artists and Touring Day

The third annual ARTS of Fluvanna Studio Tour will feature five new artists this year and an extra day of touring throughout the county to see them, organizers said. The free, self-guided tour will be Saturday, Oct. 19, and Sunday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The tour is an opportunity to see 26 artists in their studios, getting a behind the scenes look at their creative processes just as the fall foliage emerges. “Visitors will meet artists working with wood, hot lamp glass, metals, stained glass, oil, mosaic, printmaking, mixed media, plus pottery, jewelry and fibers, with an opportunity to buy directly from artists,” said ARTS of Fluvanna Board Chair Diane Wilkin.

The artists will be in fifteen locations throughout Fluvanna, including a new location at Hardware Hills Winery. A printable brochure describing the artists and providing a map to their studios, along with other information, is available at www.Artsfluvannacounty.com, or in local shops.

The ARTS of Fluvanna Studio Tour added a second day this year because visitors had trouble visiting all the artists they wanted to see in just one day, Wilkin said. She said the artists also like that it will give them more time to interact with visitors.

Nearly 300 people participated in the free passport program last year, which gives them a chance at a $50 credit toward art purchases if they visit multiple locations. Organizers said an unknown number more visited artists without turning in a passport.

Five of the tour sites that are inside Lake Monticello are easily accessible by outsiders, who can enter through the Main or Turkeysag gates by just telling the guards they’re taking the tour. Two other sites are near the Lake, and the rest scattered throughout the rest of Fluvanna County.

The free ARTS of Fluvanna Studio Tour is sponsored by Lori Click of Re/Max, Staiger Studio, T&N Printing, Find Fluvanna, Virginia Tourism Corp., the Lake Monticello Community Foundation, Women in Business, Jen Sample of Long & Foster and Sweet Art Emporium, plus local restaurants Gia Italian, Blue 53, Wahoo BBQ and El Vaquero West.

By Mike Feazel

06/10/2024

Fluvanna Musicians to Provide Help for Helene Victims

The Help for Helene concert to benefit the victims of last month’s hurricane will feature five Fluvanna musical acts, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Cunningham Creek Winery. All donations plus a percentage of Cunningham Creek sales will go to support the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County.

The benefit concert will feature two stages of live music, performances by five popular Fluvanna artists, food trucks, beer and wine. The event is accepting donations in lieu of a cover charge, with a suggested minimum donation of $5 per person.

Performers will include Wrong Way Johnny, Cake Fight, Jefferson Speedboat, Gary Hawthorne of Tobe Fare, and Eliza Mose.

The idea for the concert originated from Wrong Way Johnny’s Scott McIntyre and his wife Karen Tolley McIntyre, who have a good friend and fellow musician in Yancey County, N.C.. who hasn’t been able to get to her home because a road and bridge are gone.

"I think we've all been pretty stunned by the devastation that Helene wrought,” said organizer Trey Mitchell. “I lived in Nelson County for 15 years. They were hit hard by Hurricane Camille in the 60's and I know how long the trauma can last in the people, in the land. When Scott suggested a concert, I was 110% in."

Residents also can donate now to Hurricane Helene Relief Fund Buncombe County at https://givebutter.com/nnU5fa.

04/10/2024

FLAG to Offer Home Solar Information Oct. 30

Fluvanna residents can learn about whether home solar is right for them, and how to choose a supplier if it is, at a free session Wednesday, Oct. 30, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Fluvanna Library. The seminar is being organized by the Fluvanna Leadership Alumni Group (FLAG), which is made up of alumni of the Fluvanna Leadership Development Program.

The solar seminar will feature solar experts from Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) and Dominion Power, as well as Fluvanna resident Steve Smith, who installed solar on his home five years ago and has carefully documented its performance and cost savings.

“The goal of this session is not to convince residents to install solar,” said Cathy Tatro, chair of the FLAG Speakers Committee. “It’s to help them decide if it would work for them, and to give them the information they need to get the solar system they want and can afford.” She said the seminar will have plenty of time for audience questions.

02/10/2024

Water Rescue Team Uses ‘Wedge’ to Rescue Trapped Woman

The Lake Monticello Water Rescue Team helped rescue a trapped driver in Buckingham County late Monday evening, said team Chief John Lye. The driver was trapped atop her vehicle which was stuck in swift water in the Slate Hill Road area of Buckingham County.

The water was too shallow to deploy a boat, and too swift for an easy rescue, Lye said, but the vehicle was starting to float and becoming unstable, so a quick rescue was needed.

The team used a “wedge” technique to do the rescue. The technique involves the rescue team forming a pyramid shape facing upstream, supporting each other, then sidestepping to get to the scene of the rescue safely. The driver of the vehicle was successfully recovered from her car and brought back to dry ground. She was turned over to Buckingham emergency medical service for treatment of possible hypothermia.

LMWRT members Stephen Cropp, Pete Davidson, Bryan Morris, Jeffrey Potter, Assistant Chief Ernie Vitolo, and Chief John Lye responded to the Buckingham County call, along with EMTs from the Lake Monticello Volunteer Rescue Squad, Amani Akkoub and Grace Parlee.

In addition, the Fork Union Volunteer Fire Dept. and Scottsville Volunteer Fire Dept., were dispatched to the incident.

After the rescue, LMWRT remained at the Arvonia Volunteer Fire Dept in case they were needed to help with the other various simultaneous events that were going in the area during the storm.

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Videos

Fire Department Organizes Parade for Graduates

Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire & Rescue organized a special parade Sunday to honor this year's Fluvanna High School graduating seniors. Video by Steve Smith

Happening now at Cunningham Creek! Cake Fight performing for the Lake Monticello Community Foundation's Fundraiser. Playing so we can all play!

Good Morning, Lake Monticello! Hope your day includes taking in the views around you!! Video by Judy Fish

Good Morning, Lake Monticello!

One minute of morning bliss. #lakelife By Judy Fish

AMO Palooza

LIVE music now at AMO Gelato Café. Carl DeTroia performs until 9 PM tonight! <3 By Judy Fish

2022 Fireworks

What a great Independence Day Celebration!! Thank you, LMOA & sponsors! By Judy Fish

Playing So We Can All Play!!

Sound checks happening now for tonight's show!! Sts Peter & Paul at 7 PM. $25 for the Lake Monticello Community Foundation!!

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