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Mount Pleasant, Amherst Virginia
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Area Happenings & Announcements
Updated Weekly!
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Did you know?.....
Amherst County was formed from parts of Albemarle County. In 1761, Amherst County was formed from the southern half of Albemarle County. The original county seat had been in Cabelsville, now Colleen in what would later become Nelson County. The county was named for Sir Jeffrey Amherst who commanded the British forces that successfully secured Canada from the French. In 1806 the county assumed its present proportions when Nelson County was formed from its northern half. At that point, the county seat was moved to the village of Five Oaks, later renamed Amherst. The present county courthouse was built in 1870 and has served the county ever since.
In the early days the major crop raised in Amherst County was tobacco with apple orchards becoming popular in the late 19th century. Timber, mining and milling were also important industries. The introduction of the railroad in the late 19th century greatly influenced the county's growth. The county contains many good examples of 18th, 19th and early 20th century rural and small town architecture. The downtown area of Amherst is a classic example of early 20th century commercial architecture.
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Native Americans were the first humans to populate the area. They hunted and fished mainly along the countless rivers and streams in the county. With the establishment of the Virginia Colony in 1607, English emigrants arrived in North America. By the late 1600's English explorers and traders traveled up the James River to this area. Early trading posts formed between 1710 and 1720.
By 1730, many new families moved onto the land currently known as Amherst County drawn by the desire for land and the
good tobacco-growing soil.
Source: Amherst County Museum & Historical Society
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Amherst County Visitors Center
is now officially a
REALITY
!
What began in 1995 at the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards Dinner with an announcement from community leader Marshall Mays, gifting the Depot to the Chamber of Commerce for future use as their office and a Visitors Center for the County...is now a VISION COME TRUE!
At
the September 6, 2016
Board of Supervisors meeting, the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce received a unanimous vote to occupy and manage the visitors center. We're sure Mr. Mays expelled a long-awaited sigh of joy and resolution in Heaven as the motion carried and his vision has at last become a reality.
Soon, Amherst County's first-ever Visitors Center will open its doors to travelers passing through, visitors, and local residents . We're ready to roll out the welcome mat!
Since 2002, the Amherst County Chamber has championed this project in hopes of driving visitors to Amherst destinations and businesses. A visitors center is a vital step in opening up our borders to tourism and serving as the northern gateway to Region 2000.
Thank you for your support! We couldn't have done it without you! This is YOUR Visitors Center! This is YOUR Hometown!
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Help Build a Stronger Community!
2nd Annual
Amherst County LOCAL Raffle!
Join your fellow business colleagues in promoting Amherst County
- Donated items that represent your business.
- Your Business Name included in all raffle publications (in print and online) which will be seen by hundreds of neighbors and potential customers.
- Donation commitments must be received by September 15th. Contact the Chamber office at the number/email below or Pat Dreher: (434) 546-0082 or
Raffle tickets will be sold September-November 2016.
The Amherst County Chamber of Commerce sincerely thanks you for supporting
YOUR community!
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Free and available for use by any local organization!
INSTRUCTIONS:
That's it...All done!
The Amherst County Community Calendar is managed by the
Amherst County Chamber of Commerce
. Please note, the Community Calendar is available for all area organizations; you do not have to be a member of the Chamber to list an event. If you need assistance, please contact Vanessa Angus at the Chamber office (434) 946-0990.
Certain restrictions may apply.
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Community Viewpoints....
The New Era-Progress is adding a new section called Community Viewpoints and Needs Your Help.
Each week the public will be asked to weigh in on a question pertaining to national, state or local issues.
If you live in Amherst County, please participate. We ask that you give your thoughts and state your name and area of residence in the county.
Here's this week's question
:
What does the county need most when it comes to economic development?
Note: Due to space restrictions, answers should be 150 words or less. To email the answer,
please send to [email protected]
or
[email protected]
with Community Viewpoint in the subject line.
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FRIDAY CHEERS
at Blue Mountain Barrel House!
LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT
5pm - 9pm
UNTIL THE LAST WEEK IN OCTOBER
9/16 - Tara Mills
9/23 - Rockfish Gap
9/30 - Matt Holloman
10/7 - Jon Spear
10/14 - Tara Mills
10/21 - Stillhouse All Stars
10/28 - John Tracy
Blue Mountain Barrel House - 495 Cooperative Way, Arrington, VA
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Paint the Town at Lazy Days Winery
Sunday 18th 2:00-4:00pm
Bring out your creative and artistic side at the first Lazy Days Winery Paint the Town Party
September 18th from 2:00-4:00pm.
For only $35 you will be provided with a canvas, all painting supplies, and a glass of wine is included! Please sign up in advance...click
here.
Lazy Days Winery - 1351 Amherst Hwy, Amherst VA 24521
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Amherst County Lives Through World War II
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The Monacan Nation Needs Your Support.....
Join us October 1st for the Monacan Indian Scholarship Auction
Everyone is Welcome!
The museum will be open 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Calling ALL Chili Cookers!
Prepare your favorite chili recipe and WIN!
Stop in at Loose Shoe Brewing Company to sign up
or give them a call so you can be added to the list.
BEER
CHILI
MUSIC
FUN TIMES
All for a GREAT Cause!
Where:
Loose Shoe Brewing Company
198 Ambriar Plaza, Amherst
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Clifford Sorghum Festival
October 1st & 2nd, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm each day
Clifford, Virginia's most popular event!
For more than forty years, on the first full weekend in O
ctober, the Clifford Ruritans have brought together traditional Virginia music and food, old-fashioned sorghum syrup and apple butter making, historical presentations and much, much more. We look forward to another fantastic year!
In addition to the Virginia State Jousting Championship, festival offerings include fabulous food - fresh, hot sandwiches, Brunswick Stew, beverages and desserts! Also on-hand are crafts, art, collectibles, gifts, jewelry, quilts, children's activities, old fashioned sorghum syrup and apple butter, demonstrations, community outreach, cake walks, bake sales, fresh local produce, live music and dancing entertainment!
Public admission is free with a parking fee of $5 per car and $1 for motorcycles.
Bring your lawn chairs!
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Coming October 22
The Hackensaw Boys!
Blazing a trail across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, American roots music wonders Hackensaw Boys
are coming to Amherst, with tunes from
Charismo
, their first studio release in almost ten years.
This Second Stage production will be held at Rebec Vineyards on Saturday, October 22, gates opening at 4:00. The opening band will be the Nelson-based band
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PRESENTS the 2016-2017 AMHERST MUSIC SERIES
INDIVIDUAL AND SEASON TICKETS
at (434) 989-3215, Door of Venue or
LynchburgTickets.com
10 PERFORMANCES IN 6 BEAUTIFUL AMHERST COUNTY LOCATIONS
ADMISSION DISCOUNTS FOR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
and RESTAURANT 10% DISCOUNTS on FOOD at PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
Naomi Amos and Noemi Lee
September 18, 4:00 pm
Bethany United Methodist Church732 High Peak Road, Monroe, VA
The program includes Mozart Sonata in D K 381,, Ravel's Mother Goose Suite, and Judith Lang Zaimont's Snazzy Sonata.
Richard Stone, lutenist
October 30, 4:00 pm
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
670 Patrick Henry Highway, Amherst, VA
Richard Stone is co-founder and co-director of Tempesta di Mare Baroque Orchestra of Philadelphia. He will play a solo recital built around J.S. Bach's Suite in G Minor, "Pièces de Luth pour Monsieur Schouster."
Scott Williamson, Tenor,
Anthony Harvey, Guitar
November 20, 4:00 pm
Emmanuel United Methodist Church
401 N. Main Street, Amherst, VA
Scott Williamson will sing Britten's Songs from the Chinese, selections from Britten's Complete English Folk Songs;
and Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe. He will be accompanied by Anthony Harvey.
The James String Quartet
December 11, 3:00 pm
Amherst Presbyterian Church
163 Second Street, Amherst, VA
Family Christmas Concert by the principal musicians of The James Chamber Players will include a piece by Elgar and arrangements of season favorite carols and songs.
Please note time is 3:00 pm.
Alkemie
January 8, 4:00 pm
Emmanuel United Methodist Church
401 N. Main Street, Amherst, VA
Early music vocal and instrumental ensemble Alkemie specializes in medieval music and dance. Their program will include materials from 12th night celebrations.
Peggy Howell and Cantate
February 12, 4:00 pm
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
670 Patrick Henry Highway, Amherst, VA
Peggy Haas Howell, organist, will be joined by Cantate Children's and Youth Choir of Central Virginia. Included in the program are Georg Böhm's choral Freu dich sehr. J.S. Bach's Orgelbüchlein, the Messe d'Escalquens and several movements from 24 Pièces pour orgue ou harmonium by Jean Langlais.
Modern Musick
March 5, 4:00 pm
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
670 Patrick Henry Highway, Amherst, VA
Modern Musick focuses on diverse genres and composers from the early modern era utilizing period instruments and performance practice techniques.
Elena Mullins and Friends
March 26, 4:00 pm
Sweet Briar Chapel
134 Chapel Road, Sweet Briar, VA
Singer and composer Elena Mullins will premiere AGAR-commissioned songs composed from the poetry of Christine de Pizan. Accompanying her are David McCormick on violin and Anthony Harvey on lute and theorbo.
The James String Quartet
April 7, 7:30 pm
Amherst Presbyterian Church
163 Second Street, Amherst, VA
The Forest-based quartet will play arrangements of ragtime songs by Scott Joplin, the music to Alfred Hitchcock's classic film "Psycho," Philip Glass' Mishima #3, and Mendelssohn's String Quartet Opus 44 No. 1
TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets:
- $15 adults, $2 children (K-12)
- $5 college student with ID
Season tickets, Amherst series:
- 10 concerts $100 for adults ($50 savings)
- 5 concerts for $60 ($15 savings)
- students/children $20
Get 10% Off Your Meal!
Subscribers and ticket holders (including online ticket holders) get 10% off a meal on the day of each concert (alcohol excluded as required by law). Show your ticket or reservation and get 10% off at the following restaurants:
- Market at Main, 904 Main Street, Lynchburg
- Travelers, 202 S. Main Street, Amherst
- Winton (Winton Monthly Brunch or the Tavern), 599 Patrick Henry Highway, Amherst
Two restaurants closed on Sundays offer 10% off on a meal (no alcohol) the week after AGAR concerts (Tues.-Sat.) when you show your ticket:
- Koto Grill, 1758 Amherst Highway, Madison Heights
- Lola's, 188 S. Main Street, Amherst
AGAR
P.O. Box 117
Clifford, VA 24533
434-989-3215
AGAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit , founded in 2006, which operates with support from government, foundation, corporate and individual sources. AGAR is funded in part with grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust.
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Thinking and Drinking Thursdays
Trivia in the Taproom every Thursday at 7:00 pm
Random questions for increased useful and useless knowledge.
Join the fun and strain your brain!
Win a pint on the pay it forward door and be entered to win a shirt
on the last trivia Thursday of the month until trivia season concludes.
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YOGA, TAI CHI, QI GUNG & BELLY DANCING CLASSES!
Individual yoga classes are not necessarily a restorative yoga approach. Anyone may have physical and/or emotional challenges. Group class movement and breath practice may help some of these, but focused attention to individual needs provides deeper and direct benefits.
A private yoga session is often therapeutic yoga with specific breath, physical movement, other sensory input and meditation practice to assist healing. It considers how you walk, sit, and stand-even diet-to emphasize healthy patterns and personal taking charge of your own well-being.
Our group classes on Tuesday will have their final (6th) week of their session next week. We start our new session the following week. As a reminder, 9:15am is an active class, 11:00am is a gentle class, and 6:00pm seems to be a mixed beginning/intermediate class which usually indicates some experience but suitable for beginners. Every class enjoys a meditative aspect.
Drumming starts a new session of 4 classes on 9/11, Sunday at 2:00pm. $48/session or $15/drop in class, with drummer extraordinaire, Malcolm Dendtler, African, Afro-Cuban, Latin beats. We have an acknowledgement of the healing power of drumming and its spiritual component.
Belly Dance classes continue on Wednesdays at 11:00am. Come practice and be inspired on 9/17, Saturday, when Second Stage Amherst presents the
10th Annual Kaleidoscope Bellydance Showcase.
Our very own instructor, Joia, will join the presentation.
We are planning another
Tai Chi and
Qi Gung workshop which will build on our practice in our earlier presentations, Saturday, Oct. 15, 10-12:30. Anyone interested can participate, no experience needed.
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WHEN:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28TH
6:00 PM UNTIL 8:00 PM
WHERE:
VIRGINIA SELECT AUTO
1873 SOUTH AMHERST HWY, AMHERST, VA
(434)381-0300
VIRGINIA SELECT AUTO WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE A SAFE
ALTERNATIVE TO THE TRADITIONAL DOOR-TO-DOOR
STYLE TRICK-OR-TREATING!
CHILDREN AGES 12 AND UNDER, AND THEIR PARENTS,
ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US FOR GAMES, ENTERTAINMENT,
TRUNK-OR-TREATING AND MORE!!!
ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED
BY AN ADULT AT ALL TIMES.
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Tribute to WWII Veterans
A tribute to World War II veterans, "Dawn of Infamy: America Goes to War" will be held to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and America's entry into World War II, which
was a turning point in a conflict that had been raging since September 1939. As a nation, it is important that we honor our heroes and their service, and that we work to preserve and remember their stories. Beginning this year, nations across the world are marking the 100th anniversary of World War I and the 75th anniversary of World War II.
During World War II, more than 400,000 Americans paid the ultimate price of freedom, more than 11,000 of whom were Virginians. Twenty-five years before that, more than 100,000 Virginians served in World War I, with more than 3,700 dying from disease, combat, and training accidents. We can never forget their sacrifice.
Plan now to join us on Thursday, December 8 to mark these significant anniversaries and to remember the day, 75 years before, that the country came together to fight for freedom. But even more, join us to thank the men and women who bravely stand in harm's way to secure our freedom . . . yesterday, today, and forever.
There will be an honor parade of World War II veterans, special recognition ceremony, and lunch will be provided.
This program is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required at VirginiaWorldWarII.org
For more information or to register large groups, please contact Cheryl Jackson, Executive Director, at [email protected] or 804-786-3591, ext. 276.
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Governor McAuliffe and the Commonwealth of Virginia want to know if you are online. If you are in need of internet service please take a moment to answer a few questions regarding your need. Responses will be mapped and shared with policy makers to stimulate broadband policy and funding discussions throughout the remainder of the administration.
Let's get our rural communities online!
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ATTENTION:
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Welcome to Our Newest Members!
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There is no better way to introduce your business, service, and/or expertise to the Amherst community than through membership with the Chamber. The Amherst County Chamber of Commerce is continuously working to create new ways to promote the region and the advancement of the business community.
Our goal at the Chamber is to help business owners network and grow their business. At the Chamber of Commerce we work diligently to help our members achieve their business goals each year. We measure our success by our members' success.
Your business membership with the Chamber makes programs, services, and events possible, and without your partnership we cannot accomplish our shared mission of a thriving, profitable business community.
TOP REASONS to JOIN the CHAMBER:
ADVERTISING/PROMOTION
Chamber Website:
All members are listed on our website,
www.amherstvachamber.com
, in the business directory which is where up to 4,000 people go each month searching for businesses and organizations like yours! With the membership portal you can promote "Hot Deals", job opportunities, upcoming events and more.
Social Media:
With over 1,000 subscribers on Facebook and Twitter, you can utilize the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce (ACCC) to promote your business, events, special announcements.
Weekly e-Blasts:
Our weekly communications highlight our members, Chamber events and events in the county, and important state/legislative information that matters to your business. Currently
delivered to the inbox of approximately 400 people and then cross-posted on Facebook and Twitter to reach hundreds more
.
Send us your newsworthy announcements and events and we will get the word out!
Amherst County Guidebook:
This annual magazine is distributed throughout Central Virginia and is published in conjunction with ACCC as advertisement for Amherst County. Chamber members are listed in the publication at no cost and also have the opportunity to purchase additional advertising at a discounted rate.
NETWORKING
Amherst County 3rd Thursdays:
Monthly
networking opportunities to meet potential customers, clients, and vendors to generate new business leads.
Annual Business Appreciation Awards Dinner:
A special evening set aside to honor Amherst County businesses for their commitment to serving our residents, visitors, friends and family.
INCREASED CREDIBILITY
Join Today:
As a Chamber member, you increase positive perception among consumers and business owners:
According to a research study by The Shapiro Group, Inc. and Market Street Services, when consumers know that a business is a member of their local Chamber of Commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favorably of it and 63% more likely to purchase good or services from the company in the future.
GRAND OPENINGS
Ribbon Cuttings:
The best way to quickly bring awareness to your business. This ceremony introduces you and your employees, along with your location, products, and/or services to the community.
Contact the Chamber to reserve a date and time.
ADVOCACY
The Chamber works with our members to support local and state policies that create an environment favorable to business, community growth and development.
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Our Hometown ~ Amherst County, Virginia
Video created by Kobault Films
for Amherst County Chamber of Commerce
Kobault Films is a spin-off of the Amherst County High School Tech Club
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Do you have an Upcoming EVENT,
Hot Deal
or Special ANNOUNCEMENT?
If your business or organization is a current member of the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce, send us your events and public notices, we'll be happy to share in our weekly eBlasts.
Please email notices in jpg format to:
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Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors:
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