May 19th, Cruzin Downtown Bedford

From 4 till 8 pm Bedford will go back in time to the 1950′s with old time cars, music, vendors, and people in costumes.

This is the first year Bedford Main Street has put on this event. We expect great weather and a big turn out. In the 1950′s Motown was big, Rock and Roll was getting started and cars had fins. Come see tons of historic 1950′s autos and travel back to post war Bedford when a feeling and music was taking over the nation. This is a family friendly event, where the streets will be closed to traffic (except the 50′s cars which will be parked to you can see them). Girls in bobby socks and poodle skirts, maybe even some greaser guys….

Not enough fun yet.. how about a hula hoop contest? Or a bubble blowing contest..

Have you ever seen Elvis perform? If not come to the Cruzin as a great Elvis (impersonator) will be there.

Dress in your best 50′s costume and enter our contest!

All of this and more in Downtown Bedford!

Gran Tee Investments has purchased the buildings formally owned by Rubatex and plans to start operations this year. Initially they will hire ten to twelves people in Bedford to get the building and machinery ready for production. Once production has resumed they expect to employ 200 people in Bedford.

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Bedford Main Street is pleased to announce Sue Montgomery as their new Executive Director.

Mrs. Montgomery is the former economic development director for Bedford County where she had worked since 1993 before retiring. Under her guidance Bedford County prospered and added several new industrial parks. She brought new education opportunities such as Central Virginia Community College Bedford Campus and an education program for Bedford County High School students. Bedford’s Main Street is lucky to have her.

Bedford Main Street is one of the oldest Virginia Main Street Communities. Virginia Main Street is state wide organization designed to bring together local citizens and governments to revitalize Virginia’s downtown areas. The mission is to bring people and business into downtown areas.

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Appomattox Museum of the Confederacy Opens

Across the country, people are celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. Many of the battles and famous events happened here in Virgnia including the final surrender of Robert E Lees Army of Virginia at Appomattox.

The Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond opened a new location in Appomattox to help educate the thousands of people who visit Appomattox each year.But for opening day there are many special events.

March 31, 2012

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

A full day of programming and events begins with a special ceremony in the morning. The grounds to the Museum will open at 9:00am. Then at 10:00am, a procession including color guards, re-enactment units, and Generals Lee and Grant will lead to the Museum. Next, Museum officials and keynote speaker James I. Robertson will address visitors. Flags will be raised on the Museum’s reunification promenade and the ribbon to the front doors will be cut.

For the rest of the day, the Museum will be free and open to the public with demonstrations, living historians, and food vendors located throughout the grounds.

Visit the MOC web

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Lynchburg VA MayorJoan Foster announced a new, year long initiative called

Live Healthy Lynchburg

The city created a website to help support this initiative, the site has lots of great information such as what to eat, where to go, and things to do outside.

Did you know that 30 minutes of exercise dramatically improves the health of an adult?

Or that children need 60 minutes of exercise per day to help be healthy?

Where to start? Take a look at the website, there is so much great information. Such as what are healthy proportions, where to buy fresh food, places to go for fun and exercise. Did you know that Lynchburg is rated as one of the best places to love for outdoor life. There are so many things to such as the blackwater creek trails for walking/bike riding, we have mountains, swimming… all sorts of activities.

Furthermore, Mayor Foster challenged the people of Lynchburg to lose 12 tons!

Register on the site and track their weight loss and distance traveled during exercise. This will help everyone know how much weight Lynchburg is losing!

Developers have proposed a new community of 55 homes and 181 townhomes on 65 acres of land in Bedford County with 16 of those acres being inside Bedford City. If its approved, this will be the largest development in Bedford in recent years.

In addition to residential units, there would be commercial development in a part of town that has not done well the last couple of years. Close to the proposed development area, a couple of restaurants have closed, local businesses have changed hands and are struggling. This development would help the city, the county, area residences, and local business. It would take 10-15 years to complete the development, but it would create jobs, revenue for the county and city, and could bring new business to the area.

One of the great reasons to live in Bedford is the Bedford Country Club.  The Annual Board Meeting was held February 22, 2012 and the turnout was great and positive.

Do you live in Bedford, Virginia and love to play golf?  You need to give the Bedford Country Club a look.  It was amazing the number of golfers who showed up this year to praise the greens keeper, Charles.  They talked about how they know other golf courses have spent 7 figures plus over the last few years and they don’t look as good as the greens at the Bedford Country Club.  And Charles is great at price shopping and recycling and implementing any cost savings available.  His vast knowledge of grass and bugs and any blights or diseases that may come along with maintaining the fairways and greens helps in his ability to resolve issues on a dime.  The Senior Men’s Golfers also turned out and offered their assistance in golf course improvement, particularly with upgrading more cart paths.

The local Bedford membership turned out to applaud the financial wellness of the BCC.  It was noted that the Bedford Country Club was probably in the top 10% of the most financially sound clubs in state.  Many clubs are having problems because it is a luxury item that most people don’t need.  But, here in Bedford, VA, the value is found and the members have stayed.  The past three years have been headed up by treasurer Scott Carter of the Bedford branch of American National Bank.  Will Cayton has been working diligently to help with members who have fallen behind in their payments.  The key has been consistency in reprimand and communication.

As Chair of the House Committee, Wendy Witt Realtor with The Witt Fogleman Team of Keller Williams reported that the kitchen has gone through remodeling.  New electrical has been run, a new stove and hood, new hot water heater.  We have also completed new landscaping and gutters.  Over the last two years, the amenities have gotten great facelifts.  The tennis courts were resurfaced last year and the Olympic sized pool was painted.  A sturdy, permanent shelter was put in place as well.  It is a great place for Bedford’s children, too, with a kiddie pool.

New board members were voted in last night.  These include Amy Carter of Keller Williams Realty, Reagan Flaherty of Shentel, Sam Hodges and Doug Bays.

There is a no initiation membership drive through the end of March.  This is a $600 savings.  The board also revised the bylaws to allow children of members up to the age of 23 to utilize the club facilities whether or not they are enrolled as full time students.  For more information, contact Richard Creasy at 540-586-8407. Tell them you heard about it here on Discover Bedford!

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Its official! The Blue Angels will be performing at the Lynchburg VA Air Show on May 21st and 22nd.

Known for their Blue Jets that perform stunts in very close formation, Lynchburg is very proud to have them perform at the air show. The Blue Angels are not the only ones performing, but they are the highest profile performers. Also performing will be the Flying Circus, the Black Daggers, and their will be a vintage car and fashion show.

This will be a two day event in perfect  for the families of Lynchburg and Bedford VA.  Cost of admission is $15 for adults  and $5 for children 3-11 in advance, $20 at the door.

This weekend brings the return of the Spring Home Show to the Salem Civic Center! This is the 41st year of the show and its expected to be bigger and better than ever!

This years show has 180 vendors showing their amazing products from around the area. If you looking to make an upgrade to your home, this is the place you want to visit to see the latest products! There will be live demo’s and presentations.

The event is sponsored by the Roanoke Regional Home Builder Association.

Hours:

Friday, March 25 / 3 pm – 8 pm

Saturday, March 26 / 10 am – 8 pm

Sunday, March 27 / 12 noon – 5 pm

Hope to see you at this years Black Tie and Blue jean Ball! Each year this event gets bigger and the money goes for a great cause!