December 11, 2020
A publication by Gloucester's Department of Community Engagement and Public Information
Visitors judge their favorite mini-floats during Sunday's Main Street Business Open House (photo courtesy Jennifer Haggerty)
Gloucester’s First Virtual Parade a Major Success

The Gloucester County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department couldn’t let 2020 go by without providing the community with its beloved tradition, the Christmas and Holiday Parade. This year, the pandemic forced the parade to go virtual, spawning the first Mini Virtual Edition of the Parade, with the theme “Hometown Holiday,” which wound up drawing community support and enthusiasm that exceeded even the organizers’ expectations. The event also raised close to $400 for the local Bread for Life community food pantry. 

For more information and a list of winners, visit: https://www.gloucesterva.info/DocumentCenter/View/9979/First-Virtual-Parade-a-Major-Success-PDF
Have you been Following the Gloucester Elf?

Each day on the calendar leading up to the Christmas holiday, Gloucester's Elf is visiting as many County departments as he can to see what they are up to and what their missions are. You can follow the Gloucester Elf's journey on the Gloucester County, Virginia Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/gloucesterva.

In the photo above, the Gloucester Elf is visiting the County's Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Department. Though often working behind the scenes, the staff members in this department provide County Administration, County Departments and Planners with graphic and data analysis tools for decision making and presentations.

The Elf is checking out the most recent project GIS staff member Candice Smith has been hard at work on over the recent weeks. For more information on GIS, visit: https://www.gloucesterva.info/643/Geographic-Information-Systems-GIS


Gloucester's 22nd Edition Collectible Ornament has Arrived

The 22nd Edition Collectible Ornament has arrived! This year’s ornament, Fairfield, is available for sale at the Gloucester Visitor Center. Ornaments are $18.00 and are also available for sale at the Gloucester Library and the Point Branch and the Gloucester Treasurer's office and the Museum of History.
Celebrate the Season Simply with
Eco-friendly Holiday Solutions
  
By keeping a safe, lower profile this year, we have already cleaned out our closets, streamlined our activities and made do with less. With the holidays approaching, we can take this concept a step further by adopting simple ways to celebrate the season that will be easy for you—and easy on the environment. 

Getting creative with your holiday celebrations is an important way you can help the environment. Each year between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, household waste increases by more than 25 percent. Being a conscious consumer during these peak waste generating months could be the single greatest gift you give to the environment. Consider these creative ways to get in the holiday spirit without too much unnecessary waste.  

Check the following askHRgreen.org Naughty or Nice list to see which materials are recyclable, or not. It’s also available on the website at https://askhrgreen.org/holiday-recycling-naughty-nice-list/

Economic Development Seeking Businesses to be Featured

Gloucester's Economic Development Department is seeking businesses to be featured in its "In the Spotlight" feature in its monthly newsletter. If you would like for your business to be considered, please send photos and a short article to Elizabeth Ripley at [email protected] or call 804-693-1415.
Need Assistance Paying Utilities Bills?
Gloucester County's Community Engagement and Public Information Department recently mailed out information to all residents in the County regarding Utilities Assistance Programs Serving Gloucester County. The Department will continue to update residents on new programs that may prove to be helpful to residents struggling during COVID-19.
Buy Local Month Continues This Weekend


Buy Local Month is a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of supporting local businesses who are the backbone of the local economy. The sense of place that we have here in Hampton Roads, all that makes us unique, is largely thanks to our small businesses. Where we meet to dine with friends, where we take our out of town guests to visit, where we buy gifts, where we enjoy local cuisine are all what build our culture.

Each dollar you spend at an independent business returns three times more money to our local economy than one spent at a chain. From November 15th through December 15th look for the 17 localities of Hampton Roads to celebrate the impact small businesses have on the region’s culture, economy and character.
Have a community event coming up? Consider listing it in The Bee Line Events Calendar!

Celebrate the Holiday with a New Job!

We are recruiting for the following positions:
• Deputy County Administrator
• Accounting Technician
• Mechanical Technician III
• Park Maintenance Supervisor
• Purchasing Buyer
• Deputy Registrar
• Custodian (Part Time)

Check out these great opportunities at: https://www.gloucesterva.info/347/Job-Opportunities
New Post on Health, Money and Other Things

This week, the Virginia Cooperative Extension will return to their discussion on predatory lending and discuss payday loans.
County Continues to Offer COVID-Related Assistance
Mental Health Training Offered

The Middle Peninsula Community Services Board is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid free online training Jan. 27-28, 2021 from noon to 4 p.m. each day.

For more health-related information on COVID-19, visit the Virginia Department of Health's website at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/
Town Crier | 804-693-5730 | Contact Us |
6382 Main Street
Gloucester, Virginia 23061