From Fluvanna

Carmen Smith owns the Dunbar School, a former Rosenwald School near Fork Union. Carmen has grand plans for the building but because of its condition, she has been working on restoring the building in preparation to make it the center of her community again. While restoring the building, Carmen is collecting pieces of history to pass along to future generations.

Bertha Armstrong was born and raised in Fluvanna County. She attended the Dunbar School and SC Abrams High School. She recounts attending school through segregation and her 50 year experience as a community action worker.

This bonus track of the From Fluvanna podcast gives a biographical look at Julian Ramirez. Hear about Julian's basketball career that took him from Palmyra to Fork Union to Roanoke to Europe to New York. Hear the ingredients of Julian.

Much like Julian Ramirez's basketball game, raw potential was what he loved most about juicing. In our first episode of season two, Julian goes through why he started juicing, how Julian's Juicebox took off and what he plans going forward.

Welcome back to the From Fluvanna podcast. It has been six months since we last spoke here but we are back for season two. I’m looking forward to getting back to the basics of the podcast.

Economic Development Coordinator Bryan Rothamel chats with the Economic Development Office intern Austin Katstra. Bryan and Austin discuss initiatives and work the EDO has worked on in response to COVID-19.

Totes McGoats Body Soaps owner Jennifer Lyons gives the background about how the storefront started. Jennifer also dives into how she had a creative idea to supplement her canceled festival days. As she said, "It doesn't hurt to try."

AT&T in Palmyra is working on making cloth masks for community business and residents. Whitney Deane, store manager, explains how the store in Jefferson Centre has changed operations in light of the health crisis and their effort to make masks to give away to the community. You can contact the store at (434) 591-5092.

This month's From Fluvanna podcast focuses on Erika Mitchell, owner of Sweet Art Emporium. Erika is a local artisan and when the shop she was listing her products in announced it was closing, Erika's lifelong dream of opening an artisan store suddenly became her reality. She now has 50 artists displayed in her shop in Village Station in Palmyra.

Wahoo BBQ owner Howie Brown discusses his business from side hustle caterer to full time restaurant owner. Wahoo BBQ opened its restaurant location October 2019 to much fanfare. Learn more about the newest BBQ spot that's authentically #FromFluvanna.

I'm proud to be from Fluvanna. And I hope you will too. Follow the Economic Development Office as we start a new podcast called From Fluvanna.