January 7, 2022 Issue of the Gloucester County Town Crier

January 7, 2022

A publication by Gloucester's Department of Community Engagement and Public Information

Gloucester Library Participating in Antigen Test Distribution Program

** Please note: As of 30 minutes of announcing the tests being available, Friday's shipment was spoken for. More are on the way, so please keep checking back! **

The Gloucester County Public Library is partnering with the Virginia Department of Health to distribute free rapid at-home COVID test kits (while supplies last). Tests can be requested via curbside pickup only at the Main Library from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, beginning today. The library is located at 6920 Main Street.

There will be no walk-ins permitted to pick up a testing kit. To reserve an at-home test for curbside pickup, call 804-693-2998.

To Learn More, Click Here

County Podcast Explores Homelessness in the Community

This month, our Current Conversations podcast begins the first of our two-part series on "Housing the Unhoused," where we explore the issue of homelessness in Gloucester County. In Part 1 of the series, we speak with Rev. Kristie Askew, executive director of the GUEST (Gloucester United Emergency Shelter Team) program. We also speak with Rev. John Seltzer, executive director of Myrenu. Both of these organizations work first-hand with the homeless and underserved in our community.

In this episode, we not only learn about what these organizations contribute to the overall health of the community, but also get a glimpse into how large of an issue homelessness is in our community.

Take a listen: https://www.gloucesterva.info/1299/Current-Conversations-Podcast

More Good News on the Unemployment Front!

According to the most current unemployment figures from the Virginia Employment Commission, Gloucester's Economic Development Director Sherry Spring is pleased to see yet another drop in Gloucester’s unemployment rate from 2.6% in October to 2.4% in November. The number of unemployed residents decreased from 490 in October to 440 in November.

Gloucester's unemployment rate prior to Covid-19 was 2.5%, so the County is now below this number after 20 months. Gloucester continues to have a lower unemployment rate than both the State of Virginia and Hampton Roads.

History Day Camp Wraps Up After Having a Week of Fun

Check out all the fun campers had last week during the Gloucester Museum of History's History Day Camp! Campers visited Jamestown Settlement and learned about the Powhatan Indians, the English Colonists, and the arrival of First Africans in 1619; learned about Powhatan Indian history and culture at Machicomoco; helped clean and identify artifacts at the Fairfield Foundation’s Center for Archaeology, Preservation, and Education, and more!

CERT Training Offered in the New Year

Gloucester's Emergency Management Department is planning for the new year starting with a new CERT Members Class. The CERT program (short for Community Emergency Response Team) trains volunteers in the community how to help their family and neighbors when disaster strikes close to home.

During natural and man-made disasters, First Responders are often stretched thin and unable to respond quickly. Would you know what to do? Would you know how to do it safely? CERT training can prepare you for these situations.

This link is a simple way to sign up for the next CERT Class.

The class is February 3, 10 and 17 from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. and Feb.19 from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Kick Your Good Green Habits up a Notch in 2022

Take the askHRgreen.org “Challenge to Level Up!”

You’re already recycling, and you scoop your pup’s poop. You drink water from a cool reusable container, and you scrape greasy food leftovers in the trash, not the sink. What’s next? In celebration of its 10th anniversary year, askHRgreen.org invites Hampton Roads residents to adopt some new “green” practices in 2022 by accepting their “Challenge to Level Up.”

“There’s always room to up your green game a notch or two, and now’s a great time to add new tasks to your home and garden to-do’s that will have big impacts on the environment,” said Katie Cullipher, an askHRgreen.org team leader.

Participants who sign up and complete the online form by Jan. 31, 2022 will receive a free askHRgreen.org reusable tote bag. Those who report on their new activities by April 1 will be in the running to win a Hampton Roads “staycation” grand prize (with the winner to be announced on Earth Day).

“We have a huge list of practices to try that are easy and effective,” Cullipher said. “We also want participants to let us know of any interesting ways they are being good environmental stewards here in Hampton Roads. There’s always room for improvement; that goes for us too.”

Challenge issued; game on! Take the pledge at www.askHRgreen.org/campaign/level-up-2022.

YOUR LIBRARY NEWS

Replayed Post on Money, Health, and Other Things!

For those with health/wellness New Years Resolutions, the Virginia Cooperative Extension will revisit some of its past posts on nutrition, health, and exercise. This week, they will discuss the when, the how, and the what for eating healthy! To tune in, visit here.