News Briefs for Dec. 9

HISTORIC TRIANGLE — Catch up on news and notes in brief from in and around the Historic Triangle.

Home Grown Habitat Fundraiser Raises More than $30,000

Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg received a donation of $31,525.69, which is 100% of the proceeds from a community dinner, Home Grown, presented by Williamsburg’s Amber Ox Public House.

Owners Chris Cook and Andrew Voss brought their kitchen to Reckon Acres, their Charles City County working farm, on Oct. 11 for a unique dinner-in-the-pasture experience that was earmarked to support the House That Small Business Built. The charity dinner was the largest fundraiser on behalf of the project that, upon completion in spring 2024, will be sold with a zero-interest mortgage to a widowed father of six who lost his wife to cancer in 2020.

The $125,000 price tag to build the house has been funded incrementally through donations by local small businesses. Habitat’s marketing firm, Consociate Media, donated the initial $10,000 in December 2021, and has spearheaded the fundraising for the project.

WYDaily Reporter Recognized by Williamsburg Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution

The Williamsburg Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution presented a Media Award to WYDaily’s Megan Roche.

The award was presented “in recognition of her outstanding coverage of several Wreaths Across America events. In July of 2023, Ms. Roche wrote an excellent feature story about the Wreaths Across America program and the Mobile Education Exhibit that our chapter hosted in Merchants Square.”

“Ms. Roche’s second story about the need for more wreath sponsorships appeared in WYDaily on Thanksgiving Day. Within 24 hours of her article, our chapter received more than 50 wreath sponsorships which allowed us to meet our goal. On Dec. 16, 2023 the Williamsburg Chapter will host the second annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Cedar Grove Cemetery and, thanks to Ms. Roche, we will be able to honor all 525 veterans interred at Cedar Grove. The Williamsburg Chapter, NSDAR was honored to recognize Megan Roche for her commitment to our veterans and for using high journalistic standards to promote patriotism.”

Wyatt Scholarship Offers Help To Non-Traditional Student 

John Wyatt described his son Mark, who died in an auto accident in 1997 at the age of 28, as tall, good-looking and a hard worker. “He liked people. He had a good personality. He just sometimes didn’t use all his assets to his full advantage.”

To help others not fall into the same traps, John and his late wife, Alma, established the Mark Daniel Wyatt Memorial Scholarship. The $1,500 annual scholarship first was awarded in 2014. It’s targeted for a graduate of Tabb High School, Mark’s alma mater. The recipient does not have to be on track for a four-year degree, can be taking classes toward an industry certificate, and can be a full-time or part-time student.

Mark attended VPCC, known then as Thomas Nelson Community College, but never
earned a degree or certificate. John was a tradesman himself, so he knows the value of those programs, which is why the scholarship winner doesn’t have to take the traditional academic route.

For more information on scholarship opportunities at VPCC, visit vpcc.edu.

VPCC Presents United for Impact: Bridging Higher Education, Communities & Business

Virginia Peninsula Community College will present  United for Impact: Bridging Higher Education, Communities & Business on Friday, Dec. 15, bringing together educators, government officials and employers to explore the link between higher education, workforce development and the economic needs of the Virginia Peninsula and greater Hampton Roads.

The 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. event will take place on the Hampton Campus at the Peninsula Workforce Development Center located at 600 Butler Farm Road.

The community is invited to join the event, which will feature special guests Congressman Bobby Scott, Congressman Rob Wittman, and others. The day’s program will include presentations on VPCC and Virginia’s Community College (VCCS), a panel of regional partners, engaging roundtable discussions, campus tours and more.

Visit vpcc.edu/impact to register, or email robinsona@vpcc.edu for more information.

Rotary District 7600 Volunteers at Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast Camp Property

Rotary District 7600 of Newport News gave their support to Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast by volunteering at Camp Skimino, a day and overnight camp for Girl Scouts located in Williamsburg on ​Nov. 10.

Volunteers spent a day at the camp helping to winterize the property, protecting it from the elements during the off-season, according to Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast. The group assisted with several projects, including painting the pool’s security fence, “downing” platform tents for the winter, loading new mattresses into protective covers, and more.

2024 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition is Live

The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is welcoming artists to create and submit an original piece of art (not photography) for the 2024 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition.

Artwork for Restore the Wild should reflect Restore the Wild’s mission to restore and create natural habitats vital to the survival of Virginia’s wildlife, it said. The subject focus of 2024’s artwork is the Eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius putorius) and young forest habitat.

A panel of the DWR and other conservation organizations or artists deemed appropriate will judge all submitted art. Judges will evaluate entries according to the criteria outlined in these rules and guidelines including, but not limited to:

1. Accuracy of the subject species and its habitat
2. Composition and esthetic merit
3. Inclusion of any mandatory elements or theme
4. Overall impression

For more information, visit the contest Rules and Guidelines.

Wild Virginia and Conservation Fisheries Offer Free Workshop on Fish Conservation

Keepers Cup Tournament and Silent Auction

The Fourth Annual Futsal Tournament and Silent Auction is taking place Dec. 9-10. The event, benefiting the Gweedo Memorial Foundation and Luke Messick Futbol Charities, hosts local soccer players as teams compete for the Keepers Cup Trophy. Divisions U10-Adults come together at the HR SportspleX in Newport News for a weekend of soccer for both charities.

A Silent Auction with over 100 donations from local businesses allows participants to shop and support local, while not needing to be present to participate or win. Auction items range from Florida hotel stays, soccer camps, and NFL tickets to home décor, food and family fun with price ranges to meet any budget.  Visit 32auctions.com/2023FutsalTourney to show your support.

More information can be found at ConnerGweedo.com and IfYouSeeSomethingSaySomething.org

‘Share the Health’ this Holiday Season at Earth Fare

Earth Fares is once again partnering with local food banks to provide non-perishable food items to families in need from Dec. 1 – 31.

Customers are encouraged to purchase a $10 bag filled with non-perishable food items at check out at any of Earth Fare’s 18 locations and place it in a designated donation area at the front of the store. All donations will go directly to a food bank in close proximity to each of Earth Fare’s stores, ensuring that shoppers’ generosity is felt in the local community.

Last year’s campaign raised enough to supply over 6,000 bags to families in need around the Southeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Learn more at earthfare.com.

James City County Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report Available