Blue Ridge Leader
The 51st Annual Bluemont Fair, canceled last year due to the pandemic, is back this year – Sept. 18-19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Bluemont Fair is a family-friendly old fashioned “Green” Country Fair featuring traditional crafts (juried), local art and authors, craft and farming demonstrations. There will be colonial re-enactors with special…
By Valerie Cury The Purcellville Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 15, on a request to expand the Purcellville Historic Corridor Overlay District. The proposal would include all eligible properties within the Town that are not currently within the district. The Town of Purcellville’s Historic Corridor Overlay District, which was created in 2005,…
Just Like Nothing (else) on Earth By Tim Jon The Department of Historic Resources in 2017 set up a marker at this site – calling the facility we examine today, the ‘Ashburn Colored School.’ I’m asking your permission – today – to just call it ‘the school.’ I’m colored. You’re colored. Others are colored. It’s…
By Valerie Cury As part of the Purcellville’s July 13 Town Council meeting, a public hearing was held on the allocation of the first distribution of Federal Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The first distribution to the Town is big, over $5 million, $5, 279,922 to be exact. The total allotted…
By Valerie Cury On July 15, following the recommendation of Purcellville Town Attorney Sally Hankins, Town Manager David Mekarski, hired an outside lawyer to make a vested rights determination regarding the Vineyard Square development. This was done without first speaking and meeting with the Town Council. It had been previously understood that Hankins would meet…
Save the date – it’s that time of year again for the Purcellville Tag Sale. On Saturday, Oct. 9 join the community for a day of fun, shopping, and deals. Oh, and treasures, too. Sign-up began on Monday, Aug. 2. The Purcellville Tag sale is perfect for the hunter, collector, picker, and hoarder in us all. The event starts bright and early…
By Joe Lafiandra I read everything, which include obscure legal notices in local and national papers. Most people aren’t interested in these notices of abandoned bicycles, foster care plans or Virginia ABC license approvals. I have actually found money for other people in those lists of unclaimed funds. I just can’t help it but, I…
By Andrea Gaines Diane Painter is a member of an organization called VSTE – Virginia Society for Technology in Education, and a member of Makersmiths organization. She was recently nominated as a 2021 Outstanding Educator by Repowering Schools for her innovative approach to education. Painter helps lead an effort called KidWind, an official “Makerspace STEM…
By Tim Jon No- when I was a kid (some of my friends would say I still am, bless them), we never had a shopping mall across the street (or even within 50 miles of my home) to ‘hang out’ in; I guess my alternative to the wonders to be found in such a facility…
By Valerie Cury The Town of Purcellville’s Historic Corridor Overlay District, which was created in 2005, is made up of parts of Main Street, North 21st Street, North 23rd Street and South 32nd Street. This District is meant to protect the Town’s architectural and historical character, protect and preserve buildings, and ensure that new development…