March 24, 2023

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

Be a Part of the Budget Process!

For those of you who were unable to attend Wednesday night's public hearings, we hope to see you Tuesday evening at the Budget Town Hall!

The County's FY24 Proposed Budget provides for:

• COLA and increased career path steps

• Selective staff additions

• A proposed special tax rate for qualifying Fire and Rescue Volunteers

• Maintaining support of existing external agencies and partners.

The FY24 Proposed Budget incorporates:

• Use of the $0.583 equalized rate for real estate tax

• A return of the $2.95 rate for all personal property

• Use of State funds where applicable for the COLA

• An 8% increase in Health Insurance costs (County & GCPS)

• $1.9M additional funds in Fire and Rescue for a total of approximately $5.5M

• $1.6M additional funds in the School Transfer.

To view the County Administrator's proposed budget, click here.

This is your chance to speak directly with your board of supervisors members and be heard before the board adopts the budget next month!

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) invites public comment between March 27 and April 6, 2023, on a proposed project to build a Restricted Crossing U-Turn intersection at the Route 17 and Route 610 (Woods Cross Road/Davenport Road) intersection in Gloucester County.

A Public Information Meeting on the project is scheduled for Monday, March 27 from 5- 7 p.m. at Petsworth Elementary School 

More information and a community survey on the project can be found here.

Clean Gloucester Day Event Taking Place Today and Saturday

Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism and Community Engagement & Public Information staff members volunteered during lunchtime Thursday to help clean up a section of Business Route 17 ahead of the main Clean Gloucester Day event today and Saturday.

We hope you join us in helping to clean up our community! More info @ cleangloucesterday.com.

Important Parking Information for Next Weekend's Daffodil Festival

Parking on Main Street is very limited so we encourage those attending the Daffodil Festival to utilize the shuttle service that leaves from Gloucester High School! Shuttle will also stop at Newington Church for the Daffodil Show. Only Service Animals are permitted on shuttles.

Service will start & end at the following times:

Saturday 8:00AM-6:00PM

Sunday 11:30AM-6:00PM

For more parking information:

https://www.daffodilfestivalva.org/parking

The Gloucester Museum of History is all ducked out!

Experience a beautiful collection of duck decoys hand carved by a local Gloucester legend - William McKinley Smith. Learn how decoys are made and how they work, and see the numerous species of ducks that call Gloucester home. Featuring decoys that are well over 60-years old, this exhibit showcases local history, art, and the beauty of Gloucester’s waterways.

Check out the new exhibit today! Museum hours are Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Closed Sundays and Holidays.

Historical Scavenger Hunt Scheduled for March 21-April 13

Looking for something fun to do? How about an option for a staycation over Spring Break? 

GCPS is proud to partner with the Pocahontas Project, the Gloucester Collaboration, and the Fairfield Foundation to offer the Historic Gloucester Scavenger Hunt from March 21-April 13. 

Hunters will visit 18 different historic locations around Gloucester County, with each location having a specific piece of information to share on their completed Scavenger Hunt Google Form. Every hunter who submits a completed form by the end of the day on April 13th will be entered into a random prize drawing with prizes donated by Gloucester County businesses and organizations. Students will get an additional award from their school too!

What a great way to connect to the history that is right in your own backyard! Follow the QR code in the image to start your hunt on March 21.

Rappahannock Community College Enrolling for Summer and Fall

Rappahannock Community College is now enrolling for the summer and fall 2023 semesters.

RCC offers a rolling admissions process allowing students to begin and continue their educational journey when the timing is right for them. From workforce credentialing to college credits toward an associate degree or transfer degree; skills training to high school dual enrollment; RCC is a stepping stone to a brighter future.

New programs this year include a 10-week Patient Care Technician course, Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with a specialization in Echocardiography, more diesel and HVAC classes at the Glenns campus, expanded welding labs at New Kent.

Summer is a great time for students enrolled in Virginia colleges and universities to take classes at RCC for transfer credit. Taking credit courses during the summer sessions, saves time and money.

In addition to the traditional sources of financial aid and tuition assistance available, students can take advantage of state funding sources like G3 and FastForward. Virginia’s G3—Get a Skill, Get a Job, Get Ahead—provides tuition help for those studying certain programs in IT, public safety, healthcare, skilled trades, and early childhood education. FastForward helps students pursuing short-term workforce training for the most in-demand jobs across the Commonwealth.

RCC’s College Navigators are available to help anyone take the next step, whether they are working toward a degree, earning workforce credentials, making a career change, or exploring options.

Visit www.rappahannock.edu, call 804-333-6730, or email [email protected] for assistance. 

Arts at Abingdon Event Scheduled for Sunday

Abingdon Episcopal Church, White Marsh, will be hosting Damin Spritzer, above, in the 4th concert in the Arts at Abingdon Concert Series. The concert will be held Sunday, March 26 beginning at 5 p.m. at the church. Admission is free and no reservations are required.

Replayed Post on Money, Health and Other Things

Over the next few weeks, the Virginia Cooperative Extension will revisit its multi-part series on risk management and the basics of different insurance plans! This week, they will begin the discussion on common insurance terms. To tune in, click here.

LIBRARY NEWS

PARKS & RECREATION NEWS

Register Today for our Boating Safety Education Course!

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is offering a Boating Safety Education Course sponsored by Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism on May 6th at the Whitcomb Lodge-Beaverdam Park.

This course is recommended for motivated students 12 years of age and older who want to learn more about the fundamentals of safe and responsible boating.

Registration for this free community event is required. Click the link below.

https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/192030

Parks, Recreation and Tourism Events for the Week Ahead

SPRING GYMNASTICS REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Gymnastics for ages 3 to 18 on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from April 18 thru May 25, at Botetourt or Abingdon. Please visit our registration page for the full 12 class schedule.

SPRING BREAK ADVENTURE CAMP AT BEAVERDAM

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Spring Break Adventure Camp at Beaverdam for ages 9-12 on April 3-6 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Hiking, kayaking, crafts, games and more. Dress to get dirty and for the weather with sturdy shoes (no slide on or open toes). The fee is $45 and the deadline is March 27.

FREE FLOW YOGA

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Free Flow Yoga on Tuesdays in April from 5:30-6:45 pm at the Whitcomb Lodge. The fee is $32 for the whole month or $9 per day and the deadline is March 28.

3^RD ANNUAL DOG EASTER EGG HUNT & CONTESTS

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring the 3^rd Annual Dog Easter Egg Hunt & Contests on Saturday, April 8 from 12:00-3:00 pm at Beaverdam Park. Treats, eggs, photo op, training session, and a trick or costume contest. Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old and vaccinated. Dogs must remain on leash with an adult guardian. Fee is $12 for one dog or $20 for two and the deadline is April 2 or when full.

ZUMBA

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Zumba on Mondays and Wednesdays in April (10-26) from 6:45-7:45 pm at Abingdon. The fee is $48 for the full month or $9 per day for individual days. The deadline to register is April 6.

THE FULL HIKE

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring The Full Hike (9.5 miles) on Saturday, April 8 at 10:00 am. The registration fee is $5 and the deadline to register is April 1.

SCENTWORK

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Scentwork for Dogs on Sunday, April 16 from 2:00-3:00 pm at Beaverdam. The fee is $46 and the deadline is April 9.

PACK WALK

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Pack Walk for Dogs on Sunday, April 16 from 3:30-4:30 pm at Beaverdam. The fee is $46 and the deadline is April 9.

METRO RICHMOND ZOO

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Best Years Trip to Richmond to visit the Metro Richmond Zoo on April 19 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Lunch is on your own. The fee is $60 and the deadline to register is April 12.

For more information on these and other activities call PRT at 804-693-2355, email [email protected] or stop by our office 6382 Main Street. For online registration visit https://gloucesterva.info/civicrec