HISTORIC TRIANGLE — News and notes in brief from in and around the Historic Triangle.
Artists to Paint Yorktown with Talent During the 11th Annual Art at the River Juried Art Show
A wide array of artists will add a touch of creative flair to the Historic Yorktown waterfront on Sunday, May 5, when
The Art at the River Juried Art Show returns for its 11th annual event at the Historic Yorktown waterfront on Sunday, May 5.
According to York County Public Affairs, guests can stroll down the Riverwalk from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to see work by over 30 artists were selected for this exhibition from Richmond and the Greater Tidewater area.
Juried Art Show prizes valued at more than $3,000 will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in 2-D, 3-D, jewelry, and photography, as well as Honorable Mentions, the highly coveted Susan H. Powell Best in Show Award, and attendees can also vote for their favorite to receive the People’s Choice Award, earning the recipient a $100 prize. This year’s judges are John E. Ovington and Carol Anne McErlean.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the day from Coastal Thirst and all Historic Yorktown restaurants will be open. Free parking is available at the Riverwalk Landing parking terrace, York Hall, York-Poquoson Courthouse, County Administration Building, and other designated public parking lots. The complimentary, ADA-accessible Yorktown Trolley runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with several stops throughout town. The event will be held rain or shine. For more information visit artattheriver.com.
WJCC Schools Music Program Receives National Recognition
Williamsburg-James City County (WJCC) Schools is among a select group of school divisions in Virginia and the nation celebrated for music education, it announced.
WJCC Schools was honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation for its demonstrated outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students. WJCC Schools is among only 24 other school divisions in Virginia to receive this recognition from approximately 131 total school districts within the Commonwealth, it noted.
To qualify, WJCC Schools met or exceeded criteria related to funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula Launches Future Forward Summer Campaign
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula announced the launch of its Future Forward Summer Campaign, an initiative designed to empower the youth of the Virginia Peninsula through dynamic and holistic programming.
The campaign, which kicked off on April 23 with Give Local 757 and will run through Aug. 17, aims to cover the increase in operational and personnel expenses during this time and provide essential financial aid to those facing special needs through program scholarships, the organization said.
The goal of the campaign is to raise $200,000 and will include peer-to-peer fundraising where supporters can essentially become their own fundraiser to help the cause.
Colonial Downs to Host ‘Virginia’s Largest Kentucky Derby Party’ This Saturday
Colonial Downs will host what it calls Virginia’s largest Kentucky Derby party this Saturday, May 4, as race fans celebrate the 150th edition of the iconic “Run For the Roses.”
Guests can enjoy “the fastest two minutes in sports” for free from the Woodford Reserve Whiskey Bar overlooking Colonial Downs’ Secretariat Turf Course, or enjoy a more memorable experience by purchasing a table in the Jockey Club, according to Colonial Downs.
The year’s festivities will again include entertainment, festivities, and contests including awards for Best Hat and Best Dressed. Strolling entertainment will be provided by the River City Riffers — a band of jazz students from the VCU School of Music — and Colonial Downs’ partners at Dreamcatchers Equine Therapy will be bringing two retired thoroughbreds — Lark and Tater — to visit guests.
Wagering on Saturday’s Kentucky Derby and Friday’s Kentucky Oaks is now available. Wagering on the entire slate of Saturday races will begin on Friday, and in addition to the festivities at Colonial Downs, each Rosie’s Gaming Emporium will broadcast and offer live betting on the Kentucky Derby and Saturday’s full slate of races. Learn more on the Colonial Downs website.
Family Fun Fest at Chickahominy Riverfront Park on May 18
James City County Parks & Recreation is welcoming people of all ages to its Family Fun Fest on Saturday, May 18, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
Guets can enjoy hands-on activities, family entertainment, costumed characters, amusements, music and more. Parking at Family Fun Fest is $5/car (cash or check only); however, most activities are free.
For more information, please call 757-259-5353. In the event of inclement weather, call the Activities Hotline at 757-259-3232 for any changes in schedules.
Teen Volunteers Needed for York County Public Library Summer Reading Program
Rising 7th through 12th graders are invited to give back to their community by volunteering during the York County Public Library’s 2024 Summer Reading Program at Tabb and Yorktown Libraries.
Applications are due before 5 p.m. on June 3. Those interested can apply online. Anyone with questions should call Tabb Youth Services at 757-890-5110.
YCPL Challenges Students to Read 100 Books Before Graduating High School
Students in grades 6-12 are invited to join York County Public Library’s 100 Books Before Graduation reading challenge.
Students earn prizes for every 25 books read. Registration and all logging will be done through Beanstack. Participants should create or log in to their Beanstack account and the option to enroll in the challenge will be available to all teens. Prizes are available at both the Tabb Library and Yorktown Library.
A list of frequently asked questions and more can be found online.
Celebrate National Pet Month with York County Public Library
York County Public Library is celebrating National Pet Month with a pair of activities in May
Pet Photo Contest
York County Public Library is inviting the public to show their best furry, scaly, clawed, or slithery friend some love by entering them in our Pet Photo Contest this May.
One pet submission per individual, with a maximum of two pets per family. Ths submitting should include their pet’s name, relevant breed/species information, and a fun fact about their pet with their photo. Photos must be at least 800×800 pixels.
Email entries to the Reference Department with the subject line “Pet Photo Contest” between May 1–15. Public voting on Facebook is from May 16–31. The top vote-getter will win a fun pet-themed prize pack.
First-Time Pet Ownership Program
Those thinking about getting a pet can join Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter (PRAS) on Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m. in the Tabb Meeting Room for an informative presentation on first-time pet ownership.
Attendees will learn more about important questions to ask before bringing a pet into the home and how to decide what type of pet is right. Resource information will be available and questions are encouraged. The program is suitable for all ages. Registration is recommended but not required.
Vita Health Collaborates with William & Mary to Improve Student Mental Health
Vita Health, a provider specializing in proven suicide care and associated mental health co-morbidities, has collaborated with William & Mary to provide crucial mental health intervention for students and promote resilience, it announced.
The pilot program, which began in the Spring of 2023 and is supported by the William & Mary Parents Fund, aims to offer students in-time mental health resources and help them develop skills to manage their thoughts of suicide, to reduce attempts and deaths among at-risk students. By tracking student progress and associated reduction in risk scores through clinical scales, Vita can measure the impact of their intervention and the number of lives saved to offer the services to colleges throughout the U.S., it said.
Vita said its program with William & Mary has so far proved successful in helping to reduce suicidal tendencies in enrolled students; evidenced by their clinical scores moving from a ‘high-risk’ to a ‘low-risk’ status.
As a result of the impact the program is having, William & Mary has extended the program for the 2024-25 school year, according to Vita Health.
League of Women Voters of Virginia Poster Contest for Middle and High School Students
The League of Women Voters of Virginia is inviting students who are Virginia residents to create posters to tell students and adults about the importance of voting in our democracy, the need to cast an informed vote, the security of their vote and the accuracy of vote counting.
A poster must cover some part of one of the four contest themes:
- Voting is Important in Our Democracy
- Voting Requires Following Specific Laws
- Voting and a Vote Should Depend on True Not False Information
- Every Vote will be Handled Legally, Carefully and Counted Correctly
The poster must support one or more parts of just one contest theme, make no mention of political candidates’ names or political parties, be OK for anyone to see (no bad/offensive words or pictures) and have no copyrighted words or images. Wording on a poster must be easy to read from at least three feet away when the digital file is blown up to poster size (22 x 28 inches).
There is a limit of one poster for each contest theme. Do not put your name on the poster. The submission deadline, including completion of the online submission from and attachment of two digital poster files must be received by June 30. See how to submit your poster and find the submission form online.
A first, second and third place prize will be given at both the middle and high school levels:
First Place: $750; Second Place: $350; Third Place: $250. Winners will be selected and contacted by Sept. 1. View Details online. 2024 Poster Contest FAQs are available online.
