October 21, 2022

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

Main Library Renovations to Begin in the New Year

The Gloucester County Board of Supervisors recently allocated approximately $450,000 of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding for renovations to be conducted inside the Gloucester Main Library. This funding, along with an additional $200,000 from the Main Street Preservation Trust (MSPT) for renovation, will allow for much-needed updates throughout the library, which is located in Main Street Center. Renovations are expected to begin in early 2023. 

To learn more, click here. 

Local Leaders Prepare for Emergencies

This week, Gloucester County Virginia Government leaders attended an intense FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency ICS-400 training course. This course better prepared officials to keep residents safe and provide immediate assistance in the event a large-scale disaster were to occur in this area.

Gloucester County Emergency Management has launched a new emergency notification service for citizens called the “BEE Alert.” All citizens must manually register to receive emergency notifications even if they are already registered with the old system, CodeRED. Data from CodeRED was not automatically transferred over to the new system, which uses Everbridge technology. While registration for BEE Alert will be ongoing, citizens are asked to register as soon as possible to avoid missing any emergency notifications.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW

Improvements are underway in the colonial court circle. During the course of these improvements, access will be restricted to some areas/buildings. Signs have been posted directing the public on how to navigate to the Visitor's Center and colonial courthouse.

This is part of an ongoing improvement project aiming to protect the County’s historic assets.

EBT/P-EBT SCAM ALERT

The Virginia Department of Social Services has received a report that P-EBT and EBT cardholders are receiving calls or texts advising them to call a phony 1-866 number ending in 0486 to activate their EBT account. This number is NOT our client customer service helpdesk. This is a Phishing attack.

Do Not Respond to the text or answer a call from 866-XXX-0486 or from “VA EBT”.

Delete the text and/or Decline the call. Do not dial or text the phone number. It is PHISHING. Please be aware that our Client Customer Service Helpdesk will never call the cardholders and ask for their card number and PIN.

If a user calls the phishing number, the recording says “VA EBT” and asks the cardholder to enter their card number and PIN; then, asks the cardholder to verify their PIN by putting in their PIN number again. Upon entering the PIN for a second time, the call will disconnect. Please be aware that our Client Customer Service Helpdesk will never call the cardholders and ask them to activate their cards, nor will they ask for their PIN.

Ruritans to Host Masquerade Wine Festival Oct. 29

The Abingdon Ruritan Club, Bena, will host a Masquerade Wine Festival on October 29 from 1-6 pm on Festival Grounds. Good Shot Judy will perform. Free parking will be available onsite and there will be free wine glasses. Come dressed for Halloween if you desire. There will be prizes awarded for the best costume. 

Buy tickets online at abingdonruritanclub.com. Tickets can also be purchased at Dutton's Grocery, Lyn's Market, Whitley's Peanuts, Weatherwax Insurance, and Hogge Realty. There  will be seven wineries, food trucks, and a variety vendors onsite.

Interested in Conserving Insects at Home? One Easy First Step is to #leavetheleaves!

This fall, Gloucester County and other @beecityusa and @beecampususa affiliates are encouraging the keeping of leaf litter in gardens and yards. 

Leaves are often viewed as a nuisance to be removed from yards, but they are an important part of the ecosystem, providing food and shelter for many creatures. Leaving them in your yard provides habitat for overwintering beneficial insects like butterflies, lacewings, and lady beetles. These insects will help control pests and pollinate your garden the following spring.

Keeping leaf litter in your yard doesn’t have to be messy – you can rake leaves into thin piles around trees or into garden beds. Be sure not to shred the leaves, as this will kill any insect eggs or larvae present.

You can further protect beneficial insects in your yard by eliminating pesticide use. These species tend to be highly sensitive to insecticides, and herbicides eliminate flowers and plants used as habitat and can even harm insects directly. In turn, protecting predators and parasitoids in your yard will help control pests!

So, in addition to leaving the leaves, consider foregoing pesticides and embracing wildlife in your yard. If needed, the @xercessociety website has resources on habitat creation and alternative pest control!

Be sure to visit, Gloucester’s Bee City USA webpage at www.gloucesterva.info/1389/Bee-City-USA.

LIBRARY NEWS

PARKS & RECREATION NEWS

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Best Years Trip to see the Christmas Spectacular featuring all your favorite Holiday Music at Riverside Center for Performing Arts on Wednesday, December 7. We leave at 9:30 am and return at 6:30 pm. The fee is $110 and the deadline to register is November 30.

YOUTH BASKETBALL

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Basketball Leagues for ages 6-7 coed, 8-9 coed, 8-9 girls, 10-11 coed, 10-12 girls from November 12 through February 18. Teams practice twice a week on week nights and play games on Saturdays. The fee is $47 and the deadline to register is October 30. 

ZUMBA

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring ZUMBA for ages 16 and older on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:45-7:45 p.m. at Abingdon. November session is $56 for the whole month (skip 11/7. 11/23) or $9 per day for individual classes. The deadline is October 31.

CHAIR YOGA

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Chair Yoga on Mondays and Fridays from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Stewart Building. Classes are monthly for $32 each or daily for $9. Registration deadlines are November 3 for Mondays and November 1 for Fridays.

SPECIALTY INSTRUCTORS

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is seeking individuals that are interested in teaching classes for youth or adults - dance, gymnastics, yoga, exercise, crafts, arts, games, knitting, carving, and just about anything else you are interested in sharing. Visit the county’s webpage and look for job opportunities, all applications must be online.

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.

Replayed Post on Money, Health, and Other Things!

Over the next few weeks, the Virginia Cooperative Extension will revisit its series on retirement planning. This week, they'll discuss estimating how much you need to save for retirement. To learn more, click here.

Lab Night at the CAPE Scheduled for Nov. 1

Literacy Volunteers of Gloucester will sponsor a community educational event, "Lab Night at the CAPE" Nov. 1 from 6-9 p.m. at 6783 Main Street, Gloucester. Participants will learn about archaeology, help wash artifacts, and more. To sign up, e-mail [email protected]. Space may be limited.