Experience Nelson County Summer Kick-Off Newsletter
Welcome to the Summer Kick-Off Newsletter. We have a lot of activities planned in Nelson County and Wintergreen Resort for Summer 2008. The Summer season officially kicks off over Memorial Weekend in Nelson County.
3rd Annual Memorial Weekend Guide
To celebrate Memorial Weekend, Experience Nelson County has posted its 3rd Annual Guide to Memorial Weekend on the web site. This year’s holiday weekend includes winery events, a BBQ, craft shows, farmer’s markets, the opening of Monocan Lake, outdoor movies and lots of kids events. Check out our guide for full details. You can print the full guide directly from the web site.
Flag reflected in Vietnam Veteran's Memorial
Experience Nelson County BBQ
You are invited to a BBQ on May 24th from 11AM-3PM at The Seasons in Wintergreen Resort. Hickory Chips BBQ will be cooking on-site and providing pork bar-b-que sandwiches, pork plates, chicken, side dishes and homemade cookies for dessert. Look for the white party tents at the corner of Wintergreen and Blue Ridge Drives in Wintergreen Resort. Everyone who attends gets a sneak preview of the new community, The Seasons. The model homes will open over the July 4th weekend, but this is your chance for a preview. The builder, Henry Smith with Central Virginia Builders will also be on-site to provide information. This is a very unique community and the food is going to be great. Bring your camera to take pictures from the fourth floor of The Seasons model. The view is fantastic. Hope to see you at the BBQ. (for additional information about The Seasons, visit www.TheSeasonsAtWintergreen.com
Experience Nelson County Blog
The popular Experience Nelson County Blog rolls onward. Currently, we are receiving over 700 “reads” per week. Even though Nelson County real estate is mentioned, this is not a real estate blog. Popular topics include Nelson County hiking, a restaurant guide, Wintergreen Resort tips, local shops, the Blue Ridge Parkway, bike riding, fishing, camping and area attractions. A new story is posted to the blog every day. To reach the blog, visit www.ExperienceNelsonCounty.com There is also a Blog Archive that contains over 125 past stories. The Blog Archive is divided as a library into popular topics. Feel free to use the library as your complete guide to Nelson County and Wintergreen Resort.
The Sparrow Café Opens
You may have noticed the construction on the corner of Rt. 151 and Beech Grove Road, near Nellysford. The building currently under construction is going to be a 120 seat restaurant and micro-brewery. I will be keeping you posted on the opening of the restaurant later this Fall. In the same complex is the Sparrow Café which is already open. Since its opening, it has become one of my favorite morning hang-outs. They have free WiFi, so several of my blogs have been posted from the Sparrow Café.
Here is part of the blog that I posted from the Grand Opening of the Sparrow Café:
Besides a great menu, Sparrow’s Café has a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you are looking for a “table with a view”, this is the place for breakfast or lunch. The café is open 6:30AM-2PM, Monday-Saturday. Sparrow’s also has free WiFi, plenty of seating including leather sofas and chairs and a flat panel TV. Plus, there is plenty of parking.
Now onto the menu…..
Anyone visiting at 6:30AM is ready for coffee and Sparrow’s has coffee…both American and Cuban. American Coffee is .99 for a small and only $1.69 for a large. A Cuban coffee is $1.29 and is sure to keep you going all day. For those who like espresso drinks, there is espresso, cappuccino and lattes. A cappuccino or a latte is $2.29. There is hot tea, hot chocolate and many cold drinks including Red Bull.
Sparrow’s serves a hot, made-to-order breakfast. The menu includes everything from biscuits to grilled Breakfast Panini with egg, cheese, bacon or ham on a croissant. They also have pancakes and French toast. Or you can have a Country Boy Breakfast with eggs, sausages, bacon, potatoes and a biscuit or toast. Side items include a bagel with cream cheese for $2.99 or hash browns and grits for $1.29 each.
The lunch menu is full of great items. Plus, they also have a kids lunch box menu that comes with a sandwich (or hot dog) and a fruit roll-up, Capri sun or water, cookie and chips.
The soup of the day can be served as either a cup $1.99 or a bowl for $3.99. Add a ½ of a sandwich for a Soup and Sandwich Special for $5.99.
There are four specialty salads including an antipasto salad, chicken salad, chef’s salad or tuna salad served on a bed of mixed greens for $5.99 each.
“Lunch Boxes” are served with chips, pickle, soda and a dessert. Lunch Boxes include a choice of croissant panini, Roman cheese pizza, Mike’s cheese burger, tuna melt, steak & cheese, a chicken wrap, a BLT, and a Pick 5 Sandwich. The Pick 5 Sandwich allows you to build your own sandwich with up to 5 choices of meats and cheeses. Prices for Lunch Boxes run from $6.99 to $9.99. (you can also purchase the sandwich solo for prices ranging from $3.99 to $6.99)
Appetizers include fresh salsa and chips, warm artichoke dip and bread and fresh tomato slices with mozzarella, basil and olive oil. All appetizers are $3.99 each. There is a tossed salad for $2.99. French fries, seasoned fries and sweet potato fries are $2.99 with cheese fries at $3.99.
If you are still hungry, there are muffins for $1.99, cookies 3 for .99, Danish for $1.29 and homemade pies and cakes by the slice for $2.79.
Wow, that’s a great menu!
A Week-Long Nelson County Vacation
With gas prices on the rise, I have received many emails and questions about spending a Summer vacation in Nelson County. Nelson County is less than a three hour drive from Washington DC, Richmond, the Tidewater of Virginia and Raleigh. That’s less than a tank of gas to bring the whole family to Nelson County. Here are some excerpts from several blogs on the subject as well as information provided to clients:
Yes, there is plenty of activities to keep a family entertained for days or even weeks. Visiting Nelson County can also be educational, challenging with rock climbing, mountain biking or hiking or just relaxing.
If you need assistance planning a family vacation, send me an email to kim@ExperienceNelsonCounty.com and I can put you in touch with resources to plan the perfect vacation. I can also send you an Experience Nelson County Vacation Kit. The kit contains maps and brochures.
Nelson County has camping, Bed & Breakfasts, and condo or home rentals. For a week vacation, check out either www.WintergreenResort.com or www.VRBO.com. Once in VRBO.com, click on Virginia and then select Wintergreen Resort. VRBO has several homes and condos that are available for a week-long rental.
Next week, I will be posting a blog about Wintergreen Resort condos that have been recently renovated and are available for rental through the resort. These condos have all new furnishings, flooring, kitchens and baths.
Earlier this week, I wrote about a private rental of a fishing cottage on the Tye River. There are many private rentals and the Nelson County Visitor’s Center can assist with putting you in contact with the owners.
Check out my Blog Archive for many stories about activities to fill your vacation week. There are also several day camps that kids can visit during your vacation. (See the blog archive about kid’s activities) There is even a world-class spa.
Here is a sample of activities:
Tennis & Tennis Lessons from Wintergreen’s nationally-known program
Swimming in indoor and outdoor pools
45 holes of golf and golf lessons for all ability levels
Horseback riding and lessons for all ability levels
Hiking on marked trails
The Wintergreen Tree House is open year-round for crafts and adventures
The new Wintergreen Adventure Dome with many games, including Wii
Miniature golf at the Wintergreen Adventure Center
Rock climbing wall
Mountain biking on marked trails
The WinterGarden Spa
Lake Monocan with its beach and boats
Paint ball sessions
Music and fireworks
Camping at Crabtree Falls
Fishing Nelson County’s many rivers and streams
Tubing on the James River
Day trips to many interesting sites in Charlottesville, Staunton and Waynesboro
The Blue Ridge Parkway
Farmers Markets and Apple Festivals
Wineries and Micro-Brew
Antique Shopping
Local Art Galleries
Experience Nelson County Partners with Lowes
I am happy to say that I have partnered with Lowes and their Real Estate Agent Services Program. The partnership provides the opportunity to offer my clients, both buyers and sellers, programs through Lowes. The program even includes discount coupons for 10% off at Lowes. The program also includes optional newsletters about home and condo renovations, HGTV tips for selling your property, free moving guides and Home Staging guides. If you are interested in being included in this free program, just send an email to kim@ExperienceNelsonCounty.com with Lowes Program in the subject line. I will respond with a list of all the free options and coupons.
Introducing Naturally Clean
Starting on June 1st, a new cleaning company will open for business in Nelson County, including Wintergreen Resort. Check out my blog posting on June 1st for their grand opening. This company will be giving its clients a choice in cleaning products and services. Traditional cleaning products will always be provided but Naturally Clean will also offer “green” cleaning solutions as well as herbal cleaning products made in Nelson County. Naturally Clean will provide cleaning services to both residential and commercial properties. Even one-time cleanings will be available for property move-ins or real estate listings. Naturally Clean will be bonded, insured and licensed. I am excited to use this new cleaning service myself.