One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is to attend the annual Blessing of the Hounds at Grace Episcopal Church in Keswick, Virginia.  This outdoor service is held at the beautiful stone Grace Church which was constructed in 1896.  The origional church on the site was built in 1745 and burned in 1785. The members of the Keswick Hunt attired in their full livery and mounted on their horses are surrounded by the pack of foxhounds.  The service includes prayers for blessing and protection of the hounds and hunters as well as thanks for the harvest.  After the service spectators can walk across the road and witness the start of the hunt. The first annual Blessing of The Hounds at Grace Episcopal Church was held on Thanksgiving Day in 1929.  This ceremony goes back to Saint Herbert who w... 11/26/2008

Keswick, Virginia located just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia has once again been acclaimed as a very special place in which to live.  Today the New York Times published an article titled Pastoral Landscapes and Upscale Retreats by Stephen Wells touting the advantages of enjoying the keswick lifestyle.  According to the article Keswick is popular as a second home location as well as for a premanent residence. Mr Wells describes Keswick as an area of "green pastures of horse, cattle and sheep farms.  It's this image of upscale rural America that best defines Keswick and its surrounding communities."  In addition to farms and estates, Keswick boasts two gated communities Glenmore and Keswick Estates.  Both of these communities posess lovely homes and country clubs with golf courses.... 10/24/2008

It has just been released that the 104th Annual Keswick Horse Show raised almot $50,000 for Habitat For Humanity.  The show which was held on May 14-18 at the Keswick Hunt Club donated the profits from the show and the five accompaning gala social events to Habitat this year.  Each year the Keswick Community Foundation which sponsors the horseshow picks a charity as a recipient for the profits.  To learn more about this premier sporting event click here to read my previous post. Considering buying or selling that perfect Keswick horse farm or country home?  As a former professional in the horse business with extensive local knowledge of properties in this area, I am the perfect choice to help you.  Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES, NHDReal Estate IIICharlottesville, VA 434 960-0161 Charlottesville... 10/02/2008

As usual the Glenmore Country Club is offering several special activities this week in addition to the regular slate of golf, tennis, and fitness classes.  The Glenmore Country Club is located in the gated Glenmore community which is in Keswick just east of Charlottesville, Virginia. Wednesday Night Yoga Night returns to the fitness center.  Classes begin September 24 and run from 6:00-7:00. In tennis The Senior and Super Senior Singles Club Championships are going on all weekSeptember 22 - 27. Friday September 26 is the tennis Couples Social - 6:00-8:00.Don't miss the a special guest appearance by the University of Virginia Ladies tennis team. Shenandoah River Canoe Trip - Saturday, September 27.  Ages 8 and up are welcome.  the bus leaves at 8:30 am and reservations are required. Glen... 09/24/2008

Dont't Miss Viewing This Exceptional Glenmore Home! 1961 Piper Way, Glenmore, Keswick, Virginia 22947Open House, Sunday, September 21, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. 5 bedrooms. 4.5 baths, 3,389 finished sq.ft., 1,314 unfinished sq. ft.,  $759,000 Two story colonial with a first floor master, three car garage with guest quarters above, level lot with mature landscaping, located just a short walk to the club. Glenmore is a gated community with the amenities of a country club with golf course, tennis, pool, fitness center and gourmet dining, plus walking and riding trails and adjoining equestrian center.  This is an area with natural beauty, and elegant homes ranging in price from the mid 400s to over 2 million.  If you would enjoy a tour of this unique community to experience first hand the Glemore li... 09/19/2008

Don't miss this Glenmore Open House, Sunday September 14 1:00-4:00 p.m. 1251 Thistle Down, Keswick Virginia   4 bedroom, 4.5 bath, 4,352 finished sq. ft. and 964 unfinished.  $825,000 Stop by and view this exceptional home sited in the gated Glenmore Community, located in Keswick just east of Charlottesville, Virginia.  Glenmore is nestled in the rolling hills of Albemarle County.  This unique community includes the amenities of the Glenmore Country Club with golf course, tennis, pool, fitness center, gourmet dining, walking and riding trails and an adjoining equestrian center. Search all of the Glenmore homes currently on the market. Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES, NHDReal Estate IIICharlottesville, VA 434 960-0161 Charlottesville homesCharlottesville Horse Farms 09/12/2008

The community of Glenmore located in Keswick, Virginia just a few miles outside of Charlottesville has a full schedule of events planned for this week.  The Glenmore Country Club offers golf, tennis, swimming and a fitness center as well as a clubhouse with an excellent dining room. The Glenmore Country Club has several member events planned this week. Don't miss the G.C.C. Member Cocktail Hour on Thursday, September 11 from 5:30-6:30.This is the last night at the adult pool. Saturday, September 13 is Date Night in the View Room from 6-8:30.  Childcare is offered and reservations are required. As you know for the past two months the geens on the golf course have been being regrassed.  Starting on Tuesday, September 9, temporary greens will be available on the back 9 holes.  The front 9 ... 09/09/2008

The Glenmore Country Club has a full weekend of fun events planned for Labor Day weekend.  The club is located in the Glenmore community in Keswick just east of Charlottesville, Virginia. If you are a club member and looking for someting to do this weekend don't miss: The Wahoo Tennis Social with Special Guests - Friday, August 29 6:00-8:00 p.m. Rivanna Room Saturday Night - Saturday, August 30, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Parent-child golf clinic - Sunday, August 31 4:30-5:30.  Labor Day Cookout at the Tent Pad - Monday, September 1                                                      2:00-7:00 p.m. A La Carte Cookout                                                      2:30-6:30 p.m. Music by DJ Tobler Glenmore is a gated community of exceptional homes with the amenities of a Country Club, golf, t... 08/29/2008

What's so unusual about a green golf course?  Grass is supposed to be green.  In the latest issue of  Piper Magazine, the publication of the Glenmore Country Club, Tim Thomas, the golf course superintendent, talks about the proceedures that the Glenmore Country Club has implemented to make its golf maintenance as environmentally friendly as possible. When the course was first constructed a fertilization system was installed that injects fertilizer directly into the irrigation water thus minimizing fertilizer runoff, since the fertilizer is absorbed directly into the soil. The course also embraces the concept of integrated pest management which has the goal of controlling pests with the least environmental impact.  Pesticides are only used in the event that the problem is at a level that... 08/23/2008

Sometimes we need to just look around us to find something to smile about! My sister emailed me this and I just thought I would share it today! It is a great message and I certainly hope that you do have a nice day. Feel free to forward this to anyone you think needs a positive message! Your Agent in Charlottesville Virginia!   08/21/2008

We have all been marveling at the feats of the Olympic Athletes.  Now its time for the Glenmore Olympics!  Unlike the real Olympians, all you need to be a competitor at the Glenmore Olympics is enthusiasm and a sense of humor.  Teams will consist of 6 peopleand can be any combination of ages from 6 to adults.  A minimun of 4 teams is needed.  So form your teams and sign up.  The competition will take place on Saturday August 23 starting at 9:00 am. Schedule of events:9:00 am    Running of the torch.  Starting in the front of the Clubhouse9:30 am    Field events - potato sack race, obstacle course, tug of war                Tennis events - Quad match, ball machine challenge, pass the racquet                F&B events - Pizza toss, dash & dine12:00 pm  Lunch buffet in the ballroom        ... 08/19/2008

The Glenmore Country Club has a full schedule of member activities planned for this week.  Wednesday evening the drive in movie at the tent pad will feature The Wizard of OZ.  Drive up in your golf cart or bring a blanket and enjoy this film classic under the stars. Thursday August 14 don't forget the G.C.C. Member Cocktail Hour from 5:30-6:30 pm. August 11-15 from 9:00am-3:00pm juniors can hone their tennis skills at the Junior Tennis Camp. Also on Friday, August 15 tennis members will enjoy the Hurricane Social from 6:00-8:00pm. Sunday Sugust 17 join the guided Rivanna River Club Canoe Trip from 9:00am-3:30pm. The weekly Parent-Child Golf Clinic will take place on Sunday from 4:30-5:30pm.  This is the perfect opportunity to learn about golf while spending time with your children. Don'... 08/13/2008

Glenmore is a beautiful gated community located in Keswick, on the eastern side of Charlottesville, Virginia.  The homes are nestled among the rolling hills of 500 acres of common area, golf course and ponds.  The community boasts the amenities of a country club with fine dining, golf, tennis, swimming, a fitness center, walking paths and riding trails and an adjoining equestrian center. One of the popular sections of the development is the Scottish Homes.  These medium sized homes also include yard maintenence.                                                        A small park set in the middle of the Scottish Homes.       If you would like more information on Glenmore or the Charlottesville real estate market, I would be   happy to chat with you.  To search all of the homes for sale ... 07/30/2008

The Glenmore Country Club has a lot of events lined up for active members to take part in. Although the golf course is currently closed, while the greens are being reworked, there is still alot planned for the Glenmore golfers.  July 28-July 30 is the men's golf trip to Pinehurst, N.C.  Not to be left out, the ladies have a golf trip to Poplar Grove G.C. If you would like to expose your child to golf the summer golf camps provide the perfect venue.  July 29-Aug 1 sees week two of Summer Junior Canp III This weeks drive-in movie at the tent pad is The Wizard of Oz.  Drive your golf cart or bring a blanket or chairs and enjoy the movie under the stars.  Wear a costume and get in free. Of course plenty is happening at the tennis courts.  The ladies have single and doubles workouts weekly. ... 07/27/2008

Open House in Glenmore, July 27, 1:00-4:00, Keswick, Virginia just outside of Charlottesville 3256 Heathcote Lane, Glenmore, Keswick, Virginia   Don't miss the chance to see this amazing new home by European Homes of Charlottesville located on a special lot in Glenmore possessing exceptional mountain and golf course views. 5 bedrooms, 4.5 Bath, 4,800 finished sq ft/ 3,864 unfinished, $1,500,000. The quality construction in this beautiful home is evident throughout.  The main floor boasts large living and dining rooms, a gourmet kitchen with cherry cabinets and granite counters, large family room, a first floor master suite with fireplace and an additional bedroon and full bath.  There are three more bedrooms and two full baths upstairs.  "The living and family rooms have fireplaces as w... 07/24/2008

The Glenmore Country Club located in the Glenmore community in Keswick Virginia has a full schedule of summertime activities for young and old alike. This week is Summer Junior Golf Camp III.  The camp is held Tuesday - Friday from 3:00 - 5:00 pm.  Each session offers 2 hours of golf instruction daily with a late afternoon putting contest at the end of the camp followed by pizza. Wednesday night, July 23 don't miss the drive in movie at the tent pad.  This week's movie is Bee Movie.  Either drive your golf cart or bring a blanket and enjoy the movie under the stary sky. If tennis is your game, don't miss the Singles Club Championships on July 21-25. Friday night, July 25 is the Junior Putting Contest and Movie Night beginning at 7:00pm at the driving range. Finishing the week out  on  S... 07/21/2008

The Glenmore Country Club has a large menu of special events planned for golfing members to enjoy this summer.  One of these is the Big Break Competition.  This is a skills competition to be held weekly starting on July 18 patterened after the tv series on the Golf Channel.  Players will be grouped in flights based on their handicap index.  They will compete for both weekely and overall prizes, and points will be given for their finish each week.  On the final week there will be a skills competition for all of the flight winners to determnine the Overall Winner of the Big Break Competition. Dates: July 18, 25;  August 1, 8, 15.  Beginning at 6:00 pm. The Glenmore Country Club is in the beautiful gated community of Glenmore located in Keswick just east of Charlottesville, Virginia. If yo... 07/20/2008

Open House Sunday July 20 1:00-4:00pm3194 Darby Rd., Glenmore, Keswick, VA 22947     View this lovely 4 bedroom, 4 full and 2 half bath, 5,000 sq ft home in the Glenmore community, just east of Charlottesville, Virginia.  The breathtaking floor plan and innovative design will not disappoint.  Priced at $1,225,000. For more information on this home or on others in Glenmore or the Charlottesville, Virginia area contact Pam Dent, e-PRO, SRES, NHDReal Estate IIICharlottesville, Virginia434 960-0161www.JumpintoGreenerPastures.com www.CharlottesvilleHorseFarmsAndCountryHomes.com   07/19/2008

I am very pleased to see our school board using technology to keep in touch with families and students. Some may not think they are doing enough or the right things, but I for one am impressed that they are trying. This is how anyone determines if something works or not. try it and get feedback and then adjust. I for one applaud our local school board!    2008-2009 Draft School Calendar: The draft of the 2008-2009 school calendar is now available to view online along with frequently asked questions about the calendar.   If you would like to provide feedback on the online form provided, you can do so until Monday, January 28. http://www.k12albemarle.org/supsvs/0809calendar ________________________ If you are looking at homes, land or an estate in the Charlottesville area your first step ... 01/24/2008