Welcome to the James River Exchange. I am your host, Nancy Gill. I have been toying with the logo since I started this podcast in 2021. In fact, on June 30th—the first published—is the James River Exchange’s fifth year celebration. What better way to start the sixth year with a new logo designed by Sean Rubin.

In this episode, I met Sean in his studio. He is in the middle of a major project so I couldn’t video our conversation. Website

Before We Begin:

It is Wednesday, June 24th—otherwise known in Scottsville as the Batteau Day!

See you at the river!

Welcome to the James River Exchange, I am your host, Nancy Gill. It is Wednesday, June 10. Today you will hear from Linda Staiger and follow her journey from attending a segregated high school to her solo show at SCAN’s Gallery on Valley, 460 Valley St.“Looking Back<>Seeing Now.”

We started right in with our recording without a proper welcome extended to Linda. Yet, it didn’t seem to matter as over the next twenty minutes our conversation weaved in and out of between Linda’s exhibit, the portrait project, her philosophy on being an artist and her journey in forming lasting friendships.

Greetings all! It is Sunday, May 24th. The time it does fly…hopefully it is not passing us by! I am Nancy Gill your host. In this episode, the 258th, I met Zach Bullock on the banks of the James here in Scottsville. We talked about Valley Link’s proposed transmission lines and how the project would affect us. The view shed and scenic rivers took up most of our time.

A BUNCH OF AMATEURS....Plot: Jefferson Steel is a fading Hollywood action star who is trying to revitalize his career by playing King Lear in Stratford. The problem is that this is Stratford on Suffolk, not Stratford on Avon, and this isn't the Royal Shakespeare Company, but a small community theatre troupe. Hilarity ensues! Thank you Tom Green!

Welcome to the James River Exchange. I am Nancy Gill, your host. Today is April 6 and this segment is with Will Smith who is co-owner of the James River Batteau Company with Will Cash.

We discussed the Chesapeake Gateways Network which James River Batteau Company is a partner. Will is excited about the prospects this may have for more tourism activities in Scottsville. In fact, since the recording we have met with Laura Mellusi with the Scottsville Museum on potential tours and activites that can be identified and promoted—more on this at a later date.

Having the James River Batteau Company affiliated with the Chesapeake Gateways is described in a recent press release:

“This designation places the upper James River and the people who built and navigated its batteaux firmly within the larger Chesapeake story,” said Will Smith, co-founder of James River Batteau Company. “Small towns like Scottsville hold essential chapters of that history — stories of labor, commerce, and river life that shaped the watershed. Inclusion in this network allows us to bring those stories to a wider audience and position them within the broader Chesapeake narrative.”

These are exciting times for the James River and the Town of Scottsville!

Scottsville Planning Commission Meets at 7:00 pm

This evening the Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on the draft version of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The document has been three + years in the making. Under the leadership of the Planning Commission members and the work of Planning Fellow, Lincoln Lewis, the document is ready for review. Elements of the plan include a transportation plan and a capital improvement plan—both required by Virginia Code. Should the Commission vote this evening to recommend the plan to Town Council a second public hearing will be scheduled.

Valley Link Transmission Line

Valley Link has been holding several public sessions regarding a 115 mile transmission line from Campbell County to Culpeper County. There is information on their website.Valley Link is a joint venture between Dominion Energy, First Energy Transmission, and Transource Energy

I will have more on this Wednesday.

This is it for today. And, as always, if you have a story, a song, an event or an issue you would like to discuss, perhaps it is time for a conversation.

Welcome to the James River Exchange, I am Nancy Gill, your host. In today’s episode, enjoy a casual conversation with Dr. Casey Kerrigan.

We are carrying on the conversation from 2023. I cannot believe this was that long ago. Anyway, Casey is the owner and creator of Oesh Shoes. She manufactures shoes for women in her factory that she has right here in our fair “Ville.”

Welcome to the James River Exchange. I am your host Nancy Gill. It is Saturday, February 14. I had the pleasure of visiting and having a meaningful conversation with Eddie Payne. (Our conversation was recorded on Friday, February 13). Folks it is Valentine’s Day and he has a message for all of us. You can have roses, chocolate, wonderful meals, but Eddie wants us to have a pharmacy.

Finally, someone came to the James River Exchange with an ISSUE! Thank you Eddie for bringing this to our attention.

And, as always if you have a story, a song, an event or an issue (like this one), perhaps it is time for a conversation.

Next up, Dr. Casey Kerrigan—she makes shoes!

Welcome to the James Exchange, I am Nancy Gill your host and I had the pleasure to have a conversation with Jimmy Christian and Connie Haislip. Both Jimmy and Connie have volunteered for years—perhaps a decade or two or three—at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8169 located just out of Scottsville in Fluvanna County on Route Six.

Welcome to the James Exchange, I am your host, Nancy Gill. It has been awhile since I put out anything, and the time is now.

I had a fantastic conversation with Terri Long. She is a local artist who has been part of the art scene for quite awhile. She has shown her work up and down Valley Street…and to lands beyond!

I took this opportunity to play around with some new equipment. There are a few glitches but all in all, things worked out well.

And, as always, if you have a song, a story, an event or an issue you would like to discuss, we are always there for a conversation!