Fluvanna County Parks and Recreation
Winter Bal l for All
At the Fluvanna Middle School Gymnasium
Join FCPR for Dancing and Door Prizes! Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 6 - 9 pm
Register online: https://fluvanna.recdesk.com
Registration ends on Sunday, February 1, Midnight! ... NO EXCEPTIONS!
Ages 5 - 12 / $30 per 1 parent & 1 child
$10 for additional siblings / $30 for additional parent
Formally known as the Daddy Daughter Dance! Dance is limited to 300 couples! Semi-Formal Attire!
SCAN this QR Code to Register Now.... Questions, call FCPR at (434) 589-2016
PUBLISHER & EDITOR HEATHER MICHON 434-207-0223 / editor@fluvannareview.com
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR HEATHER MICHON 434-207-0223 / sales@fluvannareview.com
ACCOUNTS MANAGER EDEE POVOL 434-207-0221 / edee@fluvannareview.com
ADVERTISING DESIGNER LYNN STAYTON-EURELL sales@fluvannareview.com
EDITORIAL DESIGNER AMELIA McCONNELL amelia@fluvannareview.com
DESIGNER MARILYN ELLINGER
REPORTERS PAGE GIFFORD, HEATHER MICHON, AND DUNCAN NIXON
Mailing Address P.O. Box 93 | Palmyra, VA 22963 Physical Address Crofton Plaza Building 106, Suite 1 434-591-1000
DEADLINE Advertising due by Wednesday at 5 p.m. for the issue released eight days later. Submissions, letters and calendar items due by Friday at 9 a.m. for the subsequent paper. DISPLAY AND WEB ADS For information including rates and deadlines, call Heather Michon at 434-207-0223
GENERAL
The Fluvanna Review is published weekly by Rivanna Publishing LLC. and covers Fluvanna exclusively. It is printed on Tuesday mornings. One copy is free. Additional copies are $1 each payable in advance to the publisher.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Copies will be mailed for the subscription price of $180.00 annually or $90.00 for 6 months. Mail your check to : Fluvanna Review, Subscriptions Dept. P.O. Box 93, Palmyra, VA 22963. For more information email edee@fluvannareview.com.
CLASSIFIED ADS
$10 for two weeks. Email your classifieds to edee@fluvannareview.com or drop off your narrative at the office: Crofton Plaza, Bld.106, Palmyra, VA. 40 word limit. No ONLINE payment available. Credit card payments have a 3% surcharge. Deadline is Monday at Noon. Office hours 9:30 to 1 p.m. Office (434) 207-0221.
LEGAL ADS
The Fluvanna Review is the paper of record for Fluvanna County. Call Heather Michon at 434207-0223 to place a legal ad.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters to the editor should be a maximum of 350 words and include the name, phone number and address of the author. The phone number and street address are for the paper’s records only. We reserve the right to edit letters to the editor. Submit to editor@fluvannareview.com
WEDDINGS, PROPOSALS, ANNIVERSARIES Call Heather Michon at 434-207-0223. PAID OBITUARIES
$125 for up to 300 words plus photo. Call 434591-1000 or email editor@fluvannareview.com.
PAID SUBMISSIONS
$150 for 300 words. Businesses ineligible. Call 434-591-1000 or email editor@fluvannareview.com.
NEWS HOTLINE
If you see news happening, call 434-591-1000. COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Community calendar items must be about community events, under 50 words, and will run only once a month.
Fluco boys win big at VTCA indoor meet
BY DUNCAN NIXON CORRESPONDENT
Fluco track standout Garrett Jordan turned in an impressive performance Jan. 9 at the VTCA (Virginia Track Coaches Association) indoor track meet held at the Rockingham Recreation Center in Penn Laird, Virginia. The Fluco boys team won the meet with more than double the points of the second-place school.
Jordan won four events, taking first place in the 55-meter sprint, 300-meter run, long jump and triple jump. He also anchored the Fluco 4x200 relay team, which finished second. Jordan broke both the meet record and the facility record in the triple jump.
Fluco coach Melanie Kennedy said Jordan is ranked 30th in the United States in the triple jump. He is statemeet qualified in the 55-meter, 300-
meter, and triple jump events. Jordan was also the leading running back on the Flucos football team this past fall. There were several other top per formers for the Flucos as well. For the girls team, Ruby Frazier placed first in the 1,600-meter run (the metric mile) with a state-qualifying time. Charlotte Gifford placed third in the pole vault, while Izabella Campbell placed fourth in the 300-meter run.
The boys team had strong perfor mances in addition to Jordan’s:
• Jack Jeffries placed first in the 1,600-meter run with a state-qual ifying time and finished second in the 1,000-meter run.
• Ethan McPherson placed second in the pole vault with a state-qualifying vault.
• Matt Dillon placed second in the high jump.
• Jayden Wrigley placed fifth in the shot put with a state-qualifying throw.
The boys 4x200 relay team that finished second also included Dillon, Duncan Ferrell, and Zion Cheribin.
The Fluco indoor track and field team will compete in the Fred Hardy Invitational on Jan. 24 and at Woodberry Forest on Jan. 29 before the Jefferson District meet Feb. 4.
To whomever is prepared for endless love, laughter and Joy, meet our Edgar! This sweet gentle boy is in search of someone who will give him nonstop head kisses, cuddles, and hugs. He loves to play, go for walks, and meet new friendly faces of all shapes and sizes ! He loves kids, and shows lots of interest in having a doggy friend. Unfortunately he can not be in a home with cats, but no worries, he’s basically a very large cat himself, so you’ll get the best of both worlds ! He is potty trained, crate trained, and really enjoys car rides! He is the perfect back seat rider since his long legs and paws might accidentally kick your car into neutral while driving
Garrett Jordon FCHS Track 11th Grade.
William Edward “Bill” Alderman
William Edward “Bill” Alderman, 88, of Lake Monticello, died on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at his home. He was born on December 17, 1937 in Long Beach, California, a son of the late John Clement and Natalie (Carle) Alderman.
Bill’s family moved to Virginia when he was a toddler and lived in both
Norfolk and Charlottesville. He was a 1955 graduate of Lane High School and went on to UVA – graduating in 1959 from the McIntire School of Commerce. After a couple of years in North Carolina, he moved to California and met his wife, Margaret, while working toward an MBA from USC. Most of Bill’s career was in the hightech product market in Silicon Valley before retiring to Virginia and enjoying life at Lake Monticello.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret Ann (Folk) Alderman; two sons, Ray Alderman of California, and Mike Alderman of West Virginia; and a sister, Natalie Dyer of AZ.
A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Cunningham United Methodist Church by the Rev. Amy Grant. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends following the service at the church.
Thacker Brothers Lake Monticello Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Obituary
Stephan James Juli
The Reverend Father Schemahieromonk Kyrill (Stephen James Juli) reposed peacefully on the morning of January 1, 2026 at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, VA attended by his colleagues and friends from the Skete of St. Maximos the Confessor in Palmyra, VA. He was 77 years old. Born on March 24, 1948 in Auburn, NY to William and Dorothy (nee Kany) Juli, who predeceased him, he was joined at birth by his beloved identical twin, Father Mefodii.
Raised in a large Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic family with both his parents second generation in the United States, Father Kyrill was at an early age attracted to dedicating his life to service in the church. At the age of 13, he and his twin brother, William P. Juli, entered St. Basil’s Seminary in Stamford, Connecticut where they both excelled in their
The unseen reel: Scruggs to talk with Friends of the Library about Engraved
BY PAGE GIFFORD CORRESPONDENT
Film producer Horace Scruggs will discuss his new documentary, Engraved: Finding Family at Oak Hill Cemetery, during a Friends of the Library program on Feb. 4 at 10 a.m.
theological studies.
Father Kyrill astonished his friends and family in 1967 by enlisting in the US Marine Corps where he eventually served almost a year with the First Marine Division in Vietnam. While there, he was extensively exposed to Agent Orange, which was perhaps later the cause of his long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. He contracted Parkinson’s Disease almost 14 years ago and did quite well for many years before finally failing rapidly in the last few months of his life. The Veterans Administration took great care of him for many years as he eventually became 100% disabled.
He later received undergraduate and graduate degrees both from Catholic University in Washington, DC and later at Fordham University.
In 1995, he moved to the Glen Burnie estate with friends in Palmyra, VA, where eventually he played a key role in founding the Orthodox Monastery, the Skete of St. Maximos the Confessor, with his twin brother and his friend, Paul Marvin Moss, the benefactor of the Skete. Schemahieromonk Kyrill was under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Joseph of the Bulgarian Archdiocese of the United States, Canada and Australia.
He was a highly respected Orthodox monk and priest. He never lost his cheerful disposition or his great commitment to his church, its parishioners and his many friends. Father Kyrill’s faith and his great joy in life were evident to anyone who ever met him.
Eternal memory!!
The talk will explore ongoing efforts to identify formerly enslaved and free Black people buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, as well as the development of Scruggs’ film. The documentary will be shown in its entirety following the discussion.
Oak Hill Cemetery, located in Bremo Bluff, has long been the subject of historical interest.
The mystery surrounding names engraved on a stone monument sparked a project combining genealogy and archaeology that began in 2022. The Fluvanna County Historical Society and members of the West Bottom community, many of whom are affiliated with West Bottom Baptist Church, collaborated to learn more about those buried in the cemetery.
While researchers uncovered the names of more than 100 individuals through death certificates and funeral home records, the specific locations of their graves remain unknown. Archaeologists hired to map the site identified more than 215 burials.
The documentary follows the efforts of lifelong community members to identify people buried in unmarked graves in the Reconstruction-era African American cemetery. Today, Oak Hill Cemetery is owned and main tained by West Bottom Baptist Church in a historically African American neighborhood in southern Fluvanna County.
“The cemetery had its beginnings as a community cemetery for enslaved and recently emancipated people who worked on plantations near the James River,” Scruggs said. “Engraved reveals a story of perseverance driven by love of family and community, and a desire to preserve the untold stories
of African Americans living in the rural South.”
One of the project’s researchers, Nadine Armstrong, has been tracing her family history — the Farmer/ Parmer families — since 1967. Several of her relatives are buried on the older side of Oak Hill Cemetery.
“My involvement with the Oak Hill Cemetery documentation film has been a rewarding privilege,” Armstrong said. “I was able to contribute years of previously gathered research, along with the work of the committee, to help get us where we are today.” Armstrong credited former Fluvanna County Historical Society director Trish Johnson, as well as committee members Mahalia Woodie, Melissa Hill, William Woodson and Scruggs.
“While unveiling the Oak Hill memorial stone, I felt like I was setting our ancestors free from bondage,” Armstrong said. “Their souls are finally free — but I’m not finished yet. There are still names to find and more research to be done.”
Oak Hill Cemetery
Planning Commission rejects Tenaska’s substantial accord request
Company plans appeal to supervisors
BY HEATHER MICHON CORRESPONDENT
The Planning Commission denied Tenaska’s application for a finding that the company’s plans to build the massive 1.5 gigawatt natural-gas-fired ‘Expedition Generation’ plant were substantially in accord with Fluvanna’s Comprehensive Plan.
The Jan. 13 meeting was originally expected to focus not only on substantial accord, but also on Tenaska’s special-use permit application and a waiver allowing taller towers planned for the proposed Branch Road facility.
However, following a joint meeting of the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors focused on the special use permit on Jan. 7, Tenaska requested that debate on the permit and waiver be deferred until Feb. 24. The commissioners agreed with the delay, and removed other, unrelated items from Tuesday’s agenda to focus on the substantial accord issue.
They also moved the meeting to the Carysbrook Performing Arts Center to accommodate the anticipated audience. The auditorium was almost full for much of the meeting, which lasted over three hours.
Much of the meeting–about two hours–was devoted to public comments, as citizens stepped to the podium to share persistent and growing concerns about the plant’s potential impact on the health of the county and its inhabitants.
“Many of us chose to live in Fluvanna precisely to avoid chronic exposure to industrial-scale pollution. We did not choose to live in New York or Los Angeles,” said Jennifer Kingrea Ruffner. “We chose a rural county with a reasonable expectation of cleaner air, lower cumulative exposure, and land use decisions that reflect that character.”
Judy Spellman believed that Tenaska had not adequately responded to concerns about land, water, air, and health issues that might impact county residents, “except for building taller towers and adding more trees. I'd like for the Planning Commission to adamantly require Tenaska to come up with alternatives and remediations for these issues.” She asked commissioners to delay any decisions until all issues had been addressed.
“County leaders would choose the easy path, a single large income revenue stream, rather than the true local economic development that this county needs. It would be the easy path, but not the right path in green-lighting Tenaska’s construction of a second large-scale factory here in Fluvana,” said Sara Hernandez. “In that process, county leaders chose to disregard the known health impacts of these factories have on the surrounding communities. No, worse than that – they decide that they would double down on the danger to these citizens in the imme-
diate vicinity as an acceptable tradeoff for an easy win of income that brings almost no real economic benefit to the citizens of this county.”
Substantial accord
Under Virginia law, major public projects and some major private projects must undergo a “substantial accord” review to allow governing bodies to determine whether a project aligns with the general spirit of the locality’s Comprehensive Plan, a document that lays out community preferences for development over a 20-year period.
“Substantial,” however, is one of those words that leaves room for interpreta tion. The law does not require a plan to be 100% in alignment with the Compre hensive Plan, which is itself designed to be general in nature.
revisions, and while advisory committees continue work on a full rewrite, a draft will not be complete until later in 2026.
In the end, a clear majority of commissioners felt they could not approve the motion, voting 3-1 to deny Tenaska’s application, chair Barry Bibb (Cunningham) voting to approve. Commissioner Bob Dorsey (Rivanna) was absent.
Appeal
Tenaska quickly announced that they would appeal the decision to the Board of Supervisors.
“The project would directly support the
plan’s stated goals of economic development and financial sustainability, rural area preservation and environmental resource protection,” said company representative Timberly Ross in a statement released shortly after the meeting.
“We understand the level of scrutiny and diligence the county is putting forth. But we also believe the facts demonstrate the alignment of the proposed Expedition project with Fluvanna County’s further prosperity,” she wrote.
Supervisors had ten days to respond to the request, and have up to 60 days to hear an appeal.
RUDY TALKS TAXES
Commissioners had already received a staff report finding that Tenaska’s proposal, which would preserve about 700 acres near the plant, aligned with the Comprehensive Plan’s goals for rural preservation, supported rural areas through economic development, and would expand the county’s tax base. However, the report concluded the project did not advance the plan’s goal of growing the county’s solar, wind, and geothermal energy sector.
“Accordingly, staff finds that the proposed facility is substantially in accord with the Fluvanna County Comprehensive Plan, or ‘part thereof,’” the report concluded.
Tenaska representatives argued to the commissioners that the plan met the standards set out by the Comp Plan.
Deliberations
Early in the discussion, commissioners raised concerns that signaled skepticism about approving the motion, with the vagueness of the law emerging as a central issue.
As in the commission’s October meeting, discussion again centered on concerns about how to interpret “substantial accord,” with Commissioners Kathleen Kilpatrick (Fork Union) and Lorretta Johnson-Morgan (Columbia) emerging as the most vocal critics.
Kilpatrick argued that the laws were so vague as to give them no guidence.
“'Partial accord' and 'parts thereof' and bits and pieces here cumulatively do not define 'substantial accord,'” she said.
Johnson-Morgan took things a step further: “This county needs to halt all development until the comp plan is completed and the ordinances are completed and they’re working together and stop trying to put a band-aid on this big cut that we have right now.”
The Comp Plan has been in limbo for several years. A required five-year update was due in 2020 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. In September 2024, the Board of Supervisors re-adopted the 2015 plan with minor
BY Rudy GaRcia, OwneR, Rivanna wOOds Financial /Tax seRvices
Getting Ready For Taxes
Plenty of tax changes are lining up as we move forward into 2026 and knowing what’s coming can help you stay a step ahead. Before then, there’s also several moves to make filing your 2025 tax return as easy as possible.
Preparing to file your 2025 tax return
• Gather records to support deductions for no tax on tips and no tax on overtime. Review the approved occupations for qualified tips and confirm the amount of this benefit you expect to claim in 2025. You will need proof of these claimed amounts. The same holds true for overtime pay. Employers are not required to issue W-2s or 1099s with this information in 2025, but they should provide you with the necessary confirmation of the dollar amounts. Compare these employerprovided amounts with your records to ensure they match prior to filing your tax return.
• Look for new Form 1099-DA. If you own cryptocurrency or other digital assets, you may see this new form. Starting with the 2025 tax year, exchanges and brokers must report certain cryptocurrency and digital asset transactions, so you should track cost basis, sale dates, and wallets used to avoid mismatches or questions from the IRS.
• 1099-Ks may still be issued. You shouldn’t see a Form 1099-K from a payment processor such as PayPal or Venmo unless you have 200 or more transactions amounting in more than $20,000 in payments from the processor. But because of the many tax law changes in this area you may still receive a Form 1099-K in error. If you receive one, don’t throw it away! Include it with your other tax documents for proper reporting on your 2025 tax return.
What’s new in 2026
• Above-the-line charitable contributions. You can deduct $1,000 of charitable contributions if single or $2,000 if filing jointly. This is available to you whether you use the standard deduction or itemize your deductions. There’s also the introduction of a 0.5% floor for itemizing charitable contributions.
• Itemized deduction phaseout is back. If you’re in the top 37% tax bracket, your itemized deductions could be reduced. This phaseout of deductions is being reintroduced beginning in 2026.
• Gamblers take a loss. Losses from wagering transactions are now limited to 90% of such losses. Under the previous law you could claim deductions up to the amount of your winnings. For example, if you won $10,000 and incurred $15,000 in losses over the course of a tax year, you could deduct $10,000 using the previous law. Under the new law you can only deduct 90% of your losses, or $9,000 in this example.
• Mortgage insurance premiums can be reported as an itemized deduction.
• Elimination of many energy credits. This includes the credit for purchasing electric vehicles after September 30, 2025 and the elimination of many residential energy efficient purchase credits at the end of 2025. So plan accordingly.
This year’s tax law changes are complex and can be daunting. If you are in need of professional assistance, we would love to have a conversation with you. Time is of the essence. Don’t wait to contact us for an appointment by calling 434-442-4044 or emailing info@rwftaxservices.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
• Review IRA and HSA accounts. If you have an IRA or HSA account, you can make 2025 contributions up until either April 15, 2026 or the date you file your return, whichever is earlier.
–10% Off - COUPON 5 FIRST RESPONDER–
265 Turkeysag Trail#101, Palmyra, VA 22963
Office Phone: 434-442-4044/ Fax: 804-767-1844
Emai: info@rwftaxservices.com • Website: https://rwftaxservices.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RivannaWoodsFinancial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rwftaxservices/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/RWFTaxServices PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Our Community First Responders work hard to make sure our citizens are taken care of in the worst of situations. Here in Fluvanna County, most of them are volunteers serving because they feel strongly about what they are doing. To recognize their hard work and sacrifice, I am offering a 10% discount to all current First Responders and their Immediate families who either live or work in Fluvanna County. This discount applies to new clients in 2026. This discount cannot be combined with any other discounts or incentives offered by Rivanna Woods Financial Tax Services. Simply reference this discount code when you set up your appointment. #5 FIRST RESPONDERS PAID ADVERTISEMENT
New Members Welcome!
Fluvanna Community Singers are starting rehearsals for our Spring Concert No Auditions!!
Rehearsals will begin Jan. 22, 2026, at Bethel Baptist Church, Palmyra 227 Bethel Church Road, Palmyra VA Registrations starts at 6:30 pm followed by rehearsal at 7pm for the 1st 3 weeks. Last day to sign up: Feb. 5. - Dues are $20/season - Rehearsals every Thursday @ 7 pm Concert will be May 1 & 2, 2026 at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church Parish Hall For more information call Adele: 434-962-1928
We are the newspaper of record for Fluvanna County. Published 52 weeks a year, every Thursday with a week-long shelf life that increases ad readership. We are the winner of 103 Virginia Press Association awards for advertising excellence and news coverage since 2010. The Fluvanna Review has won awards in print and web advertising design, news layout, cover illustration, infographics, photography, and multiple news writing categories.
A total from 5,000 copies of the Fluvanna Review are delivered to over 90 boxes and racks at key spots such as grocery stores, banks, restaurants and offices in Fluvanna, Louisa and Albemarle counties and the city of Charlottesville.
&
sales@fluvannareview.com
P.O. Box 93 Palmyra, Va. 22963 advertising deadline: every wednesday by noon one week prior to the issue date Office: 106 Crofton Pl., Ste 1, Palmyra, Va 22963
DAIRY
Fluvanna RE VIEW
NEWSPAPER PICKUP LOCATIONS
CLASSIFIEDS $10 for 2 weeks
Contact – Edee@fluvannareview.com, office at 106 Crofton Plaza, Ste 1, Palmyra, VA. Office (434) 207-0221. 40 word limit. Mail Payment to P.O. Box 93, Palmyra, VA 22963. Visa, Mastercard, Discover accepted – 3% surcharge added. No online payment available. Deadline for print ads is MONDAY by NOON.
EVENTS
CALENDAR FUNDRAISER: Fluvanna Co Ruritan Club is selling 2026 calendars for $10.00, a great holiday gift! The sales are going to fund our scholarships and community service projects. Please support our students and young athletes with your purchase(s). Contact Sandy Turner (571) 208-2895 or email FluvannaRuritanClub@ gmail.com for more information.
FLUVANNA FLUTTERWHEELS SQUARE
DANCE CLUB: Open House Dates> Mondays, from 7 to 9 p.m. on January 19th. and January 26th., 2026. Casual Dress. Great Exercise – Great Fun – Nice Friendly People ! Location: Fluvanna County High School , 1918 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy., Palmyra, VA . Questions? Call Janice @ (434) 286-2585 or Warren @ (434) 9811747. We are on Facebook.
CENTRAL VIRGINIA VERTERANS
BREAKFAST: C.V.V., Inc. will be holding their monthly “G.I. style” breakfast on January 31, 2026. Time: 8:15 a.m. at Wahoo BBQ & Grill, Slice Road Gate, Lake Monticello. Cost $12 per person (cash only please). Veterans & spouses / friends are welcome. Questions? Contact Paul Bethke (703) 965-8363.
BINGO IS BACK! at Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire & Rescue Squad, 10 Slice Road, every Friday night. Doors open at 5 p.m. First game at 6:30 p.m. Progressives, pull tabs, and a $1000 jackpot every week! Cash only. No one under 16 allowed. All others welcome!! Join us for a fun & Friendly night out.
REAL ESTATE
LORI CLICK “YOUR MIRACLE AGENT”Ask me what a Miracle Agent is and how you can be involved. Contact me for a free Neighborhood Market Analysis of your home’s value. I proudly service Charlottesville, Va, & Lake Monticello areas. Lori at (434) 326-7593, or loriclick@remax.
net, www.loriclick.com, www.facebook. com/LoriClickYourFavoriteRealEstatePro.
GENEVIEVE REILLY, REALTOR: Long & Foster Gold Team, Lake Monticello Office – Thinking about selling or buying a new home? Let’s work together to make that dream happen. “Energetic. Passionate. Knowledgeable. Devoted. All about the client.” Call/ Text or e-mail me (434) 4144453, genevievearlinereilly@gmail.com
RENTALS
MAPLE ROOM AT LAKE MONTICELLO FIRE HOUSE: The Maple Room is located at the LM Volunteer Fire House, 10 Slice Road, Palmyra, Va. It is the perfect location to host meetings, birthday parties, wedding receptions, anniversaries and other events in a comfortable setting. The facility can accommodate parties of 100 or more. Call Eileen Monahan at (434) 962-4656. Email: mapleroomrentals@lmvfr.org.
FIRST VIRGINIA HOMES: We provide Property Management services in Central Virginia Region. Also House Watch services. Call us at 434-589-3958. Look us up: www. firstvirginahomes.com
MONTICELLO PROPERTIES
MANAGEMENT: Long and Foster office at 3661 Lake Monticello Road, Palmyra, VA. For current home rentals: contact Genevieve at (434) 589-7653 or email: MonticelloPropertiesMgt@gmail.com SERVICES
HANDYMAN: 20 years of experience in carpentry, siding, trim work, painting, landscaping and leaf removal. New flooring and repairs. Roof repairs and gutter cleaning. Reasonable rates. Call Todd at (434) 996-2254.
HELP WITH YOUR TRASH BINS: Serving Lake Monticello and Charlottesville. Our service takes your tote to the curb for local garbage pickup and brings it back to your home. We offer payment plans/ options – including discounts for senior & disabled persons.* We also provide JUNK REMOVAL. Contact us @(540) 556-8890, tyler@trashMasterServices.com, online > TrashMasterServices.com
REASONABLE TREE SERVICE: Professional tree removal, trimming, and MORE! Flexible service options. Quotes may be negotiated to fit your budget. We are insured and
local! Call Wilber Tree Service for fast, safe results> (434) 308-TREE
SEW WHAT? Alterations for Wedding gowns, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen attire, etc. and other Bridal Party attendees. Alterations for Prom dresses. Regular clothing alterations: dresses, pants, jackets, etc. Pillows. Call Ms. Wallace for appointment at (434) 842-2860.
YOUR LAKE MONTICELLO REALTOR:
Offering 20 + years experience, with over 650 homes sold. Providing free market analysis and expert advice on listing your home. Call your local Realtor: IRIS HELFRICH, 434-981-9956.
SERENITY COMPUTERS: Onsite computer repair for your home or business. Wireless setup, networking, troubleshooting. Phone and Tablet help, Tutoring, data backup & more. Reasonable rates. Over 15 years’ experience. Call (434) 825-2743
CARPENTER: Over 40 years’ experience! Furniture Repair work. Table legs wobbly? Chair back/seats need reinforcement? Dresser drawers not closing? Call me for FREE estimates. Tom Maschi (434) 981-3707.
PEGGY SHANKLIN REALTOR: Your lady at the Lake. Proudly serving Lake Monticello and surrounding areas. Contact for a FREE Comparative Market Analysis of your home’s value! Local, Dedicated, Knowledgeable, Dependable. (434) 962-2762 or email: peggy.shanklin@longandfoster.com, or https://www.facebook.com/PeggyShanklin-Realtor.
CLIMATE CONTROLLED SELF STORAGE: at Lake Monticello across from Food Lion Grocery Store. Jefferson Centre Self Storage features 24/7 Access, On-Site Kiosk, Security Cameras and Month-toMonth Availability. Call (434) 906-4030, email: Jeffersoncentre@cbsrentals.com, or visit: jeffersoncentreselfstorage.com today!
SPECIAL NOTICES
MACAA FOOD PANTRY NEW HOURS: Monday: 1 to 6 pm., Tuesday: NO food pick-up, Wednesday: 10 am to 2 pm., Thursday: 1 to 6 pm., Friday: 10 am to 2 pm., Saturday: Every 3rd. Saturday of the Month from 10 am to 2 pm. Location: 8878 James Madison Hwy., Fork Union, VA. Phone (434) 842-2521.
VIRGINIA DEPT. OF VETERANS SERVICES: Need Help? Attention Veterans
and Dependents! Visit us at the Fluvanna Community Center, 5725 James Madison Highway > by appointment only. Call Jeannette Flint at (434) 529-6431 to schedule your appointment. www.dvs. virginia.gov
WANTED
2026 FSPCA SPONSORS: If you would like to sponsor a Pet of the Week photo, email edee@fluvannareview.com or call (434) 207-0221 no texts accepted. The pet photos are sent to us from the Fluvanna shelter each week. The photos help find forever homes for our four legged furry friends. You may place your business, special occasion, memorial narrative , etc. at the bottom of each pet picture.
VOLUNTEERS FOR MACAA FOOD
PANTRY: We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help support MACAA’s work in the Fluvanna community. Tasks: food pickups, sorting donations, stocking, packing boxes, checking in visitors, and other minor tasks. Volunteer hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. , M-F. No prior experience needed – training will be provided. Call (434) 8422521 or email foodpantry@macaa.org.
MEALS ON WHEELS: Drivers needed, regular and substitute positions available – Kidds Store & Fork Union. Apply online www.mealsonwheelsfluvanna.org. or phone our volunteer, coordinator at 434.589.1685. FOR
SALE
ODDS & ENDS: Medium size Frigidaire refrigerator (14.8 Cu.Ft.) $50., Corona Kerosine Heater (6 Gal. container filled) $30.00, Solid Oak Executive-size desk w/ locking drawer $300.00, Antique Golf MT Target computer tracks the distance of your golf ball $200.00. Location: 907 Bybees Church Road. Phone (434) 589-8302.
School Board reorganizes, celebrates educators
BY HEATHER MICHON CORRESPONDENT
The Fluvanna County School Board met on Wednesday (Jan. 14) to elect new leadership, set the stage for the busy budget season ahead, and then moved on to the main event of the evening: recognizing the recipients of the 2025-26 Teacher and Staff of the Year awards.
Superintendent Peter Gretz explained that teachers and staff were nominated by their peers “to recognize those who make exceptional contributions to our schools.”
Fluvanna County High School:
Sherry Esch & Margie Brown
Principal Margo Bruce introduced Office Manager Margie Brown and FCHS English teacher Sherry Esch.
“The school does not operate if Margie is not there,” Bruce said of Brown. “She is my everything.”
If she were still in school, “I would want to be in Ms. Esch’s classroom,” Bruce said. “She just brings joy to the classroom.”
Fluvanna County Middle School:
Alicia Patterson & Stacy Manuel
Principal Lara Dugolinsky said that Alicia Patterson was a star in the language arts department, “dedicated to her craft, fully invested in her students’ growth and progress, and consistently inspires those around her with creativity and commitment.”
Stacy Manuel, the school's IT support technician, has tackled the many issues that go along with increasingly tech-dependent classrooms and “has dedicated countless hours to ensuring these successful rollouts” as each new tool is introduced.
Manuel is so dedicated, in fact, that she stopped during her own award ceremony to help the School Board staff with a faulty piece of recording equipment.
Carysbrook Elementary School:
Jennifer Gross & Robert Palmer
Principal Scott Lucas said that Teacher of the Year Jennifer Gross “doesn’t realize how good she truly is,” adding that “she creates a learning environment where students feel valued, challenged, and encouraged to grow.”
Custodian Robert Palmer “just never stops,” said Lucas, “no matter what is needed, he’s there to take care of it. He takes so much pride in our school, in our staff, and in our students.”
Central Elementary School: Cynthia Peck & Troy Bates
“I could stand here and talk forever about Ms. Peck,” said principal Amy Barnabei of Cynthia Peck, “because I have the highest respect and love for this lady.”
Peck was recognized for her willingness to help staff, students, and fellow teachers. “But most importantly, she thinks outside the box.”
Custodian Troy Bates was not able to attend the ceremony, but Barnabei said he was “truly a role model and mentor for our students – he really is such an asset for us. He takes great pride in ensuring that our school environment is safe, clean, and welcoming for students, staff, and visitors.”
Peck and Bates were also named as Division Teacher & Staff Member of the Year.
Jennifer Gross and Robert Palmer
Alicia Patterson and Stacy Manuel
Margie
Brown and Sherry Esch
New Year, New Leadership
Wednesday marked the first meeting for Sean Brennan (Columbia) and R. Anthony Edmonds (Fork Union), who were both elected in November.
Andre Key (Rivanna) was elected as chair, and Charles Rittenhouse (Cunningham) as vice chair.
Key guided members through a long list of committee assignments and policy approvals. Board members briefly debated the budget calendar before agreeing to hold a budget seminar on Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Meetings will continue to be held on the second Wednesday of the month, with public sessions starting around 6:30 pm.
The School Board will present its FY27 Budget to the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 25.
Gain Momentum!
IF
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- Keep letters under 350 words.
- Refrain from personal attacks.
- No letters that have been sent to other newspapers.
- Include your name, address & phone # for verification.
- We reserve the right to edit letters. Submit via email to: editor@fluvannareview.com or mail to: Fluvanna Review, P.O. Box 93, Palmyra, VA 22963
You will get an email confirmation that your letter has been received. If you don’t, contact the editor directly.
Cynthia Peck and Amy Barnabei
7th Grade - Principal's List
Aljiji, Duena Arndt, Russell Barcelona, Ionica Obliosca Bass, Leah Rochelle Beirne, Calvin Alexander Butler, Ella Louise Carter, Emma Carter, Kayden Royce Cary, Cameron Rose Curtner, Hayden Drumheller, Aubrey Raine Dwiggins, Anna Elliott, Maci Delaine Esch, Joshua Wesley Ford, Madelyn Rhea Geffken, Matthew Thomas Jasper, Andrew William Ketola, David Michael Koerper, Isabella Eliis LaRochelle, Erin Lewis, Aaliyah Mackenzie Morgan, Olivia Morris, Peyton Ann Mundy, Julian Maximilian Napier, Jae'Sean Edward-Lee Payne, Harper Pomare, Damian Roy Seiden, Eliana Lee Woolstenhulme, Jason Michael
7th Grade - All A's & B's
Amon, Andrew Sullins Anderson, Jazmyne Ann Bartley, Shania Lynn Beichner, Declan Alexander Black, Kyleigh Ann Bobbio, Jason Lee Boucher, Ava London Bradley, Landon Shane Bralley, Ty Walker Brinkley, Aalimah Hadassah Medehin Bustillo, Michael Ethan Christiansen, Kinsley Elyse Claytor, Connor Dane, Kayleigh Morgan Davis, Carly Rose Djunga, Toussaint Elembo Drayer, Elijah Alexander Dugan, Lily Michelle Gardiner, Grant Birk Glass, Grady Brent Gunther, Claire Hall, Scout Taylor Henderson, Miles Xavier Hoff, William Vincent Houchens, Amiyah Grace Houchens, Delilah Rose
Jernigan, David-Ray Henry Kidd, Riley Marie Lambert, Owen Michael LaPerle, Isabelle Marie Leconte, Shaddia Elisia Mauck, Logan Davidson McCall, Abby Rose
McComb, Keslie Belle McLain, McKenzie Kristin
McLaughlin, Josslyn
Mehalic, Aiden
Menta, Averianne Miller, Oliver Monroe
Fluvanna Middle School | Second Quarter
Nelson, Elijah Alexander Porter, Annabelle
Portman, Silas Cole
Powell, Charles Benjamin
Rabinovitch, Reverie Belle
Rhea, Chloe Vivianna
Sadler, Stewart Matthew
Scopelliti, Owen
Scott, Jah'Vier Jaquice Sherman, Semsati
Sidwell, Mason
Simonin, Rhiley Jayde
Snowden, Elijah James
Sweeting, Cameron Jeffrey
Thomas, Kenneth Brenden
Tyson, Dillon James Villa-Sarceno, Evalyn-Marie Whitley, Kendra-Lin Willow
Wortman, Wyatt Wyland, Cori Zlock, Deacon
6th Grade - Principal's List
Aiello, Lily Anna Allen, Bennett Robinson
Ayers, Angeline Grace Barr, Zara Marie Bean, Julian Quinn
Butler, Charles Patrick
Caylor, Addison Marie Chidester, Clara Cowger, Ethan Cole Davis, Peyton Bella Edwards, Georgia Ann Elliott, Daniel Briggs Fitz, Hadley Rebecca Fornecker, Lily
Garfield, Cole Richard Gehling, Cole Alexander
Gifford, David Douglas
Gitz, Carter Wayne Goodwin, Avery Alexis Green, Judith Marie Hall, Cayden Bennett Henderson, Abigail Clara
Howell, Emisyn Rylee
Howell, Laney Taylor
Johnson, Kamari Jalil
Livasy, Devon O'Malley Lute, Parker Mann, Jacob Matthew Martens, Willa Louise McKinley, Lily Elizabeth Mosley, Ava
O'Brien, Miles River Payne, Kendall Brooke
Pharr, Olivia Ruby Kjaer
Puccinelli, Matthew Joseph
Rohleder, Jaxon James
Ruddock, Joseph Matthew
Rusk, Evelyn Cadence
Stancil, Graham Caswell
Stone, Teagan
Torkornoo, Ethan Selasie
Williams, Jamierah Nicole Wilson, Carter Blake
Worley, Grayson Walker
Yowell, Dawson Ronald
6th Grade - All A's & B's
Alessi, Cole
Aziz, Nasira Marie
Barlow, Luke Everett
Bland, Ashton Christian
Boothby, Miles
Brewster, Desmond Lewis
Burton, Logan Joseph
Combs, Henry
Cortez, Bryan
Covington, Easton Beckett
Denton, Alice
Diaz Nunez, Jesus Arturo
Donohue, Grace Elizabeth
Douglas, Ronzell Rohaan
Eichler, Anson DeWolfe
Evans, Colin William
Fauber, Zane Valor
Finch, Cassius James
Forbes, Giselle
Fusilier, Naomi Ray
Garcia, Natasha Xonixho
Gayda, Kaylee Inara
Gibson, Alaina Nicole
Good, Lilah
Gravitt, Natalie Jayne
Gross, Porter Quinn
Harris, Jasiah Price
Hawkins, Ethan Thomas
Hernandez, Isabella Angel
Herring, Kaiden Glenn
Hill, Jayce Alexander
Holdgreiwe, Nathan Thomas
Huff, Gideon
Johnson, Alan Christopher Johnson, Madoc Davin
Jones, Quinn
Jordan, Aryanna Alexandra
Jordan, Jonathan Avery
Kalinosky, Brandon Michael
Kareem, Malak Myasar
Keller, Dallas Jayde
Lam, Jaxon Tyler Lee
Larrick, Ava
Lein, Alexander Ethan
Long, William Pierce
Lucas, Serenity Chanel
Luniewski, Chase Matthew
Mahanes, Elley Ann
Mason, Alina
Mawyer, Leeanna Gracie
McCall, Barrett Reid
Meador, Leo Michael
Mendoza, Dominic Michael Robert
Mendoza, Liliana Elena
Menjivar, Sophia Valentina
Miller, Lukas Michael
Myer, Liam Lochlan
O'Brien, Murphy Conor
Ozoria-Hostos, Bryan
Payne, Meric Emerson
Placencia, Dylan Armando
Powell, Addalyn Grace
Reiff, Elijah Rhea, Madelyn Grace
Ruhlman, Jordana Nicole
Samuels, Ezekiel Thomas
Sapp, Samantha
Scott, Sienna Grace
Scotto Di Vetta, Arianna
Serrano Hernandez, Tiffany Alexandra
Sharpe, Eli Brooks
Simmons, Adalynn Rose
Snoddy, Brianna Leigh
Sprouse, Arrington Marie
Stephens, Oliver Joe Streaty, Sahara Valeska Strickland, Levi Jerome Strickland, Paxton Kolbe Thompson, Caedan Wayne Thompson, Elijah Townsend, Braxton Wade Trapp, Raylan David Trent, Sydney Joelle Vandevander, William Randolph Waksmunski, Alexis Ann Watson, Forrest Michael White, Isla Clara
5th Grade - Principal's List Adkins, Cariann Ruth Aljiji, Duart Arencibia, Brayden Cole Bamford, Samuel Thomas Brown, Charlotte Virginia Carr, Myla Jo Denby, Sadie Rea Drayer, Jonah Fornecker, John Gentry, Elijah Phoenix Godlewski, Violet Mavis Harkrader, Joan Elizabeth Francis Hartsock, Lucy Florence Hughes, Benjamin Miller Jones, Collin Pierce Kirby, Brooke McKenzi Lipscomb, Carly Ann Lute, Hayden McComb, Kashton Xander Jaxon Messer, Juliana Hope Moeller-Madere, Eris Violet Persaud, Liliana Camille Placencia Diaz, Angeline Monserrat Rethemeyer, Dylan Jackson Singleton, Stephon Ezra Smith, Emry Leonard Stargell, Liam Ashton Stover, Cohen Alexander White, Theo Michael Wilder, Ryker Emery Young, Clare Marie
5th Grade - All A's & B's Albrecht, Ella Allen, William Jace Armstrong, Jessem Laron Ashworth, Grayson Boyd Bates, Isabel Yvette Beck, Aubry Lynn Billings, Khye Birckhead, Keighton Brewster, Barrett Martin Cambria-Jackson, Amiraca Faith Campagna, Reece Stephen Carrico, Geneva June Childers, Liam Childers, Taydem Marie Christianson, Ada Hasher Collier, Lincoln Otis Colwell, Lucas Alexander Cosner, Laurel Elizabeth Curtis, William Todd Davis, Laycee Breanne Desper, Brody Caleb Diggs, Noah Wyatt-Antonio Doyle, Sebastian Doyle, Za'Niyah
Drumheller, Jaila Earman, Matthew Paul Edwards, Serenity Robert Etheridge, Kyrie Jamir Geffken, Katherine Gianakos, Nicholas Dalton Gray, Beckett Patrick Grout, Emily Taylor Grubb, Eleanor Harrington, Henley Virginia Hawkins, Mary Elizabeth Henderson, Kennedy Lynn Hernandez, Génesis Davette Hourihan, Makenzie Leeann Jernigan, Charlie Hope Johnson, Charleigh Jones, Penelope Jordan, Lillian Rae Jordan, Savien Jymere Karnolt, Hannah Olivia Kesner, Stella Dean Kim, Alexandra Elise Kinane, Bradley Kirby, Everett Gage Koontz, Lia Marie Koontz, Skyler Brooke Lambach, William Carl LeBlanc, Sage Annabelle Lewis, Chandler Jason Louk, Colton Martin, Mia Jane Mason, Eli Edward McClain, Garrett McClanahan, Harrison George McClanahan, James Austin Morris, Noah Edward Morris, Paisley Marie Mozingo, Evan Phillip Noble, Maddox Cole Oliver, Holden Rea Perkins, Alyza Brogan Pinero, Amilia Maria Price, Jacob Proudfoot, Carlin Reed, Macon Daniel Levi Rivera, Amina Rose Robbins, Cameron Dare Robbins, Quinn Caroline Scopelliti, Oliver Luke Sheridan, Sadie Lee Spencer, Olivia Brooke Stewart, Katherine Nancy Strickland, Stella Marie Swope, Letty Estelle Thompson, Chloe Grace Timberlake, Amayah Renee Trent, Mya Yvonne Valdovinos, Sadie Villa-Sarceno, Olivia Rose Wagner, Avery Nicole Wagner, Gunner Frank Walding, Savannah Taylor Wallace, Braelyn Nicole Wear, Amelia Sunshine Whitworth, Harper Michelle Williams, Jeremiah Justice Zarella, Luna Sophia
7th Grade Anderson, Ja'zel
Bobbio, Jason Brown, Tmyia Claytor, Connor Clements, Riley Dringo, Stella Dwiggins, Anna Elliott, Maci Esch, Joshua Fisher, Isabelle Gardiner, Grant Gomez, Layla Gunther, Claire Jackson, Nariah LeBlanc, Liam Maldonado Castillo, Camila McLaughlin, Josslyn Rhea, Chloe Schaarsmith, Leigha Silverman, Harper Sweeting, Cameron Tallini, Mason
Waltz, Kole Washington, Taevyon
6th Grade Ayers, Angeline Bonilla Villa, Jasmin Booker, Lilyahna Boothby, Miles Burton, Logan Chidester, Clara Cowger, Ethan Douglas, Ronzell Evans, Flynn Gehling, Cole Good, Lilah Goodwin, Avery Henderson, Abigail Howell, Emisyn Howell, Laney Jordan, Aryanna Livasy, Liberty Mann, Jacob McKinley, Lily
McLaughlin, Sophiah
Meador, Leo Rhea, Madelyn Stone, Teagan Torkornoo, Ethan Trent, Sydney Watson, Forrest Waksmunski, Alexis Wilson, Carter Worley, Grayson
5th Grade
Aljiji, Duart Arencibia, Brayden Bailey, Ryan Bell, Lilly Carrico, Geneva Gianakos, Emma Hemedi, Imani Hernandez-Durantes, Kathy Jensen, Scarlett Johnson, Charleigh Kenward, Aiden
Kinane, Bradley Kingrea, Jack Koontz, Skyler LeBlanc, Sage McClanahan, James Morris, Paisley
Nolan, Thomas Price, Jacob Ragland, Easton Ramos, Tynia Reed, Macon Rethemeyer, Dylan
Schaarsmith, Colby Sisk, Wyatt Trent, Mya Turner, Layla Wagner, Avery
• Home Services Directory
ATTN. AUCTIONEERS: Promote your upcoming auctions statewide! Affordable Print and Digital Solutions reaching your target audience. Call this paper or Landon Clark at Virginia Press Services 804-521-7576, landonc@vpa.net
HOME IMPROVEMENT
JANUARY KICKOFF EVENT! WINDOWS
• SIDING • ROOFING — Premier Remodelers LLC. Early Season Savings — 100% Financing. Professional Installation. Licensed & Insured. 540497-8567 | www.premierremodelers. com Limited Time Offer!
SUNSETTER. America’s Number One Awning! Instant shade at the touch of a button. Transform your deck or patio into an outdoor oasis. Up to 10-year
limited warranty. Call now and SAVE $350 today! 1-844-746-2332
NO MORE CLEANING OUT GUTTERS. GUARANTEED! LeafFilter is the most advanced gutter protection for your home, backed by a no-clog guarantee and lifetime transferable warranty. Call today 1-877-614-6667 to schedule a FREE inspection and no obligation estimate. Plus get 20% off! Seniors and military save an additional 10%. Restrictions apply, see representative for warranty and offer details.
PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES
TODAY WITH A GENERAC HOME STANDBY GENERATOR. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-844-9471479 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
SAFE STEP. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited
time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-877-591-9950
REPLACE YOUR ROOF WITH THE BEST LOOKING AND LONGEST LASTING MATERIAL STEEL FROM ERIE METAL ROOFS! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer – up to 50% off installation + Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-844-902-4611
THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS IN AS LITTLE AS 1 DAY. Limited Time Offer - $1000 off or No Payments and No Interest for 18 months for customers who qualify. BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Call Today! 1-844-945-1631
SERVICES
DIVORCE Uncontested, $475+$86 court cost. WILLS-$295.00. No court
appearance. Estimated completion time twenty-one days. Hilton Oliver, Attorney (Facebook). 757-490-0126. Se Habla Espanol. BBB Member. https:// hiltonoliverattorneyva.com.
PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR MAY BE COVERED BY MEDICARE! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and longlasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 888-608-4974
WE BUY HOUSES FOR CASH AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-844216-5028
SWITCH AND SAVE UP TO $250/YEAR ON YOUR TALK, TEXT AND DATA. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. For more information, call 1-855-262-5564
FLUVANNA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Fluvanna County School Board will hold a budget work session on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. for the Superintendent’s presentation of the FY27 budget.
A budget public hearing will follow at 6:30 p.m.
Both meetings will take place in the auditorium of the Fluvanna School Board Office, located at 14455 James Madison Highway, Palmyra, VA
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
FLUVANNA COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
P.O. Box 550, Palmyra, VA, 22963
Case No. 26CL43
Michelle L. Palmer v. Wesley D. Walker
The object of this suit is to:
Obtain a No-Fault divorce
It is ORDERED that Wesley D. Walker appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before March 26, 2026 at 9:00 AM.
1/14/2026
DATED David M. Barredo, Judge
Community Calendar
Fluvanna Flutterwheels Open House
Fluvanna Flutterwheels Square Dance Club’s open house at the Fluvanna County High School will be held on Mondays, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Jan. 19 and Jan. 26. Casual dress. Great exercise. Great Fun. Questions? Call Janice @(434) 286-2585 or Warren @ (434) 981-1747. We are on Facebook.
Cash, food accepted
Fluvanna Leaders for Race & Diversity (FLRD) is located at 14455 James Madison Highway in Palmyra. It is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It accepts cash and food donations. (434) 987-1938.
Food Pantry
Fluvanna MACAA / FCSS Food Pantry is located at the old Carysbrook High School. To receive food from the food pantry bring a photo ID for proof of residency in Fluvanna. WINTER hours> open Monday : 1 pm to 6 pm, Tuesday: No food pick-up, Wednesday: 10 am to 2 pm, Thursday: 1 pm to 6 pm, Friday: 10 am to 2 pm, Saturday: Every 3rd. Saturday of the Month from 10 am to 2 pm. Questions? Phone (434) 842-2521.
Storm could bring 12+ inches of snow to county
Forecasters are tracking a major winter storm that could bring a foot or more of snow to the region from Saturday afternoon into Sunday evening.
While exact snowfall totals may change as the system develops, officials say residents should begin storm preparations now.
Road conditions are expected to deteriorate by Saturday evening, with heavy snow and reduced visibility
making travel increasingly hazardous through the weekend.
The snow is expected to be followed by several days of cold weather, with daytime highs struggling to reach the mid-30s and nighttime temperatures dropping into the teens.
A little preparation now could prevent serious problems later
WINTER STORM PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST
HOME PREP
☐ Put shovels, snow brushes, ice melt and other equipment in an accessible spot
☐ Set faucets to drip only during prolonged cold or outages
☐ Know how to shut off water if pipes burst
☐ Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
☐ Charge phones, laptops, and power banks
☐ Bring extra blankets into living areas
☐ Set thermostat to a consistent temperature
POWER OUTAGE READY
☐ Flashlights (not candles)
☐ Extra batteries
☐ Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
☐ Safe backup heat source ready
☐ Carbon monoxide detector working
FOOD & WATER (AT LEAST 3 DAYS)
☐ Drinking water (1 gallon per person per day)
☐ Non-perishable food
☐ Manual can opener
☐ Baby food or special dietary needs
☐ Paper plates and utensils
MEDICAL & PERSONAL
☐ Prescription medications refilled
☐ First-aid kit
☐ Hygiene supplies
☐ Glasses, contacts, hearing aid batteries
VEHICLE PREP (IF TRAVEL IS NECESSARY)
Reminder: Stay off the roads unless travel is essential. Snowplows and emergency crews need room to work.
☐ Gas tank at least half full
☐ Ice scraper and snow brush
☐ Jumper cables
☐ Sand, salt, or cat litter for traction
☐ Blanket, hat, gloves
☐ Snacks and water
☐ Phone charger or power bank
PEOPLE & PETS
☐ Check on elderly or disabled neighbors
☐ Bring pets indoors
☐ Extra pet food and unfrozen water
☐ Warm, dry shelter for animals
STAY INFORMED
☐ Weather and emergency alerts enabled on phone
☐ NOAA Weather Radio or trusted local news
☐ Road conditions checked via 511Virginia.org
WHEN SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT FROZEN PIPES?
Frozen pipes are most likely when air temperatures stay at or below 20°F for several hours, especially overnight. Brief dips below freezing generally do not pose a serious risk.
Homes are at higher risk if pipes run along exterior walls, are located in crawl spaces or garages, or are affected by power outages that prevent heating.
During prolonged cold:
• Keep indoor temperatures above 55°F if possible
• Open cabinet doors under sinks
• Let faucets drip during extended sub-20° cold or outages
Avoid unnecessary dripping during mild cold—it wastes water without adding protection.
January Reminders for Lake Monticello Homeowners
With billing season officially underway, LMOA's Member Services is happy to answer any questions you may have about your statement. Annual Billing Statements have been sent out and a payment (monthly, semi-annually or full) is due by January 31, 2026. Annual barcode renewals were not included with these statements and will be billed separately next month. Also, the first LMOA Board Meeting of the year will be held on January 22, 7 PM at the Fairway Clubhouse. Agenda items include updates on Golf and Food & Beverage, the 2025 Year in Review, and preparations for the 54th Annual Meeting of LMOA Members. To review the Board Meeting Agenda and Packet, log in to lmoa.org and select Board Meeting Details under the GOVERNANCE tab.
DMV at Ashlawn Clubhouse
Skip the trip to the DMV and take care of your business here at Lake Monticello's Ashlawn Clubhouse at 41 Ashlawn Blvd. on January 27. Appointments are available from 9 AM - 4 PM and can be scheduled at dmv.virginia.gov/appointments. In addition to standard DMV services, hunting and fishing licenses are also available.
Watercraft Registration Open at the Marina
For LMOA Members, 2026 registration stickers are now available for purchase at the Marina. As a friendly reminder, all motorized
and non-motorized watercraft must be registered in order to use them on The Lake. Payments for 2026 boat slips and kayak/canoe racks are also being accepted and are due by March 31, 2026. Please make your payment on time so you don’t risk losing your spot to the next person on the waiting list. The Marina is open ThursdayMonday from 10 AM to 4 PM, and our friendly staff is happy to help with registration needs. Important note: In accordance with LMOA policy, current proof of insurance is required when registering a boat. Documentation must include declarations of property and casualty insurance with a minimum of $500,000 per incident in liability coverage, including fuel spill liability of at least $500,000, either embedded in the policy or as a separate rider.
Water Workgroup Postponed to February
Due to scheduling conflicts, the January workgroup meeting was canceled. The next workgroup meeting will take place on February 11 at 10 AM at the Ashlawn Clubhouse, Terrace Room A.
LMOA
Gifts LMVFR
Annual Donation
This weekend, the Lake Monticello Owners' Association (LMOA) had the honor of presenting our 2025 annual donation to Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire and Rescue during its end-of-year celebration. The annual
donation, which totaled $35,000, is consistently supported by LMOA Members. The community is so grateful to have such an outstanding team giving their time to protect and save lives so close to home.
Independence Day Volunteers Needed
The LMOA 4th of July Planning Workgroup is hard at work on preparations for celebrating our Nation’s 250th Birthday with Lake Monticello residents. We are excited to add some new events while also making sure we keep the old favorites. To make this happen we are looking for coordinators for Volleyball, Sandcastles, and the Car Parade. If you live at Lake Monticello and are interested in being the lead coordinator for any of these events, please contact Communications Assistant, Melissa Kalinosky at mkalinosky@lmoa.org.
Run for the LMOA Board
The LMOA Election Committee and Staff are actively planning for the 2026 Annual Meeting and Election. With four board seats opening in June, now is the perfect time to consider serving your community. Members in Good Standing may request candidate packets at the end of January. Potential candidates will gather 150 signatures of support, either electronically or on paper. Once signatures are verified, certified candidates will be announced by the Board in April. Candidates may then begin campaigning for the election
scheduled to open in May 2026. We welcome any questions you may have and encourage you to contact the Executive Assistant, Megan Fitzgerald at mfitzgerald@lmoa.org.
News From Bunker Bistro
During the month of January, Tuesdays are "Two-Fer-Tuesdays"! From 4-8 PM, order any 2 burgers and/or sandwiches off the dinner menu for just $25. Kids also eat free from the kids' menu with an adult purchase on Tuesdays, so it's a win-win for everyone! Keep an eye out for the February opening of "Lakeside Virginia Fried Chicken" take-out dinners, coming soon! Visit www.bunkerbistro.com or call 434-591-0106 for more information and the start date for the BEST fried chicken! Finally, save the date - February 17 is Mardi Gras! Enjoy Cajun food specials, Hurricanes, and Zydeco music by Jolie Fille!
Tip to Manage Stormwater
Did you know Lake Monticello, Tufton Pond, and surrounding streams, springs, and drainage areas make up our vital watershed? Rainstorms and melting snow or ice create runoff that can carry gravel, trash, leaves, animal waste, pesticides, and other pollutants into our Lake. How can you help? Keeping ditches, culverts, and the roadside rights-of-way on your property clear of leaves and debris will help to make sure that runoff can flow and drain properly. Taking care of your property plays an important role in protecting the health and beauty of our Lake!
