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Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill Memorial Ceremony marks 15 years
DINWIDDIE —For 15 years, actor Patrick Falci, who portrayed Confederate Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill in the 1993 movie “Gettysburg,” has been coming to a small stand of woods in Dinwiddie County to pay tribute. Falci portrays Hill every year during the Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill Memorial Ceremony on the anniversary of Hill’s death. Hill was killed April 2, 1865, the day Union forces broke through Confederate lines around Petersburg.Tuesday was the 149th anniversary of Ambrose Powell Hill’s death and marks the beginning of the Tri-City area’s sesquicentennial. The ceremony was hosted by A.P. Hill Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp No. 167. The ceremony featured a song, “The Vacant Chair,” preformed by Susan Carraway, chairman on the 6th District Virginia Division United Daughters of the Confederacy and Falci. Falci is a New York native who has been a Civil War re-enactor since 1979. Falci resembles A.P. Hill, with long brown hair and a beard. Progress-Index Photo Falci’s long history portraying Hill dates back to the early 1990s. At Tuesday’s ceremony, Falci used his acting skills to tell the story The Color Guard listens during prayer during the 15th Annual Gen. A.P. Hill Memorial Ceremony Wednesday in Dinwiddie County. The event, sponsored by the A.P. Hill Camp 167 of Hill’s last orders, which were given at 6:30 the morning of his death. Sons of Confederate Veterans, marked 149 years since the general was shot and killed. Shortly after giving the orders, Hill was fatally wounded from a pistol shot by a Union soldier only a few yards away. With the area’s sesquicentennial commemoration of the Civil War, many events and memorials are scheduled to happen in the next few months. Falci will be the keynote speaker at a memorial event for Confederate President Jefferson Davis at 9 a.m. June 3, at Davis’ grave in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. Among the many events Falci is participating in during the area’s 2344 Wells Road Petersburg, VA 23805 sesquicentennial — and one he will not miss — is next year’s Lt. General A.P. Hill Memorial Ceremony. “Next year at noon, I will be there,” Falci said.
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Patrick Falci, portraying Confederate Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill
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What is Sesquicentennial? It’s 150 years since the end of the Civil War. Betty Bowen, Dinwiddie County Coordinator of the Sesquicentennial.
Dinwiddie County Sesquicentennial meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at the Historic Courthouse. The committee consists of County professionals’ active and retired, active and retired law enforcement, local residents. A total of 26 people. Busy, busy from 2011 until 2015. Let’s see if you remember some of them. • The History Mobile from the Library of Virginia. Over 1300 visitorsenjoyed the tour. • Battlefield tours for students and teachers. Organized a Social Studies Club at the High School. • Participated in County Fairs and County Community Health Fairs. Had a float in the Christmas parade and won first place in our division, receiving a tall beautiful trophy. • Published a County tour book. Featuring 12 of the 43 battles and skirmishesfought in this County. Placed a beautiful royal blue post with the logo of the sesquicentennialat each site. • Library of Virginia visited the Historic Courthouse twice for the digitalization of historic documents including one from Thomas Jefferson. • As fundraiser we enjoyed several plays at the Historical Courthouse. Most of the main characters were local attorneys and judges. The playwright was also an attorney. • Created a Sesquicentennial room within the Historic Courthouse, including pictures and artifacts. • Hanging in the hallway of the Historic Courthouse is the Sesquicentennial Banner with the logo that was designed by a local resident. Also, the sesquicentennialmeetings have been held at historic sites promoting the sites and tourism.
the Historic Courthouse several timesplus in the County schools. • Our speakers have spoken to local and surrounding counties/cities on “What is the Sesquicentennial All about.” • Created and published an event calendar; also a website: www.DiscoverDinwiddie.com; along with cooperation with P.A.R.T. What does the remaining months hold for the Sesquicentennial – LOTS OF HARD WORK!!! Such as Linear and pocket parks, more historic road markers, development of tourism, plays, guest speakers. Each 3rdThursday at the Historic Courthouse at 7 p.m. – we have a different speaker. May 15th – Jeff Dean will speak on “Soldiers’ Life Demonstration.” LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!
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• Working with the CWPT, Civil War Preservation Trust. • Evelyn Franklin has portrayed Elizabeth Keckley, who was born a slave in Dinwiddie County. She paid for her and her son’s freedom. She worked for Mary Todd Lincoln as her seamstress. Evelyn has appeared at
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Annual event commemorates Civil War Battle of Sutherland Station DINWIDDIE — For most people, the tour through historic Fork Inn National Park Service. transports them back to 1800s America. But for Janie Olgers and her two At one point during the war, the home was a Union army hospital, daughters, walking through the 1803 plantation home helped them re-live Michelle Olgers said. And after the war, the Olgerses believe that the some of their own history as well. home was never able to go back to its original function as a tavern, It has been decades since N.C. Olgers, Janie’s husband, or his where brawls were common. But relics from those tavern days still exist in two daughters slept in the rope bed at Fork Inn, which is also known the house. as Sutherland’s Tavern. But nights under piles of quilts with hot water A .39-caliber bullet hole in the entryway must have a good story bebottles tucked in the sheets are hard to forget. Because the house was hind it, Darrell Olgers said. once heated with an oil stove, placIn 1903, the Olgers family puring hot water bottles in the bed was chased the home. a common practice. Like many of the stories that surOn March 30th, N.C.’s daughround it, the home is frozen in time ters showed their own daughters a and filled with antique furnishings piece of their past and their grandthat come with stories of their own. father’s past. Michelle Olgers explained that “It feels like we have celebrities the rope bed was responsible for in the house,” said Michelle Olgers, the phrase, “Don’t let the bed bugs who now shares the home with her bite,” since the pegs that held the husband, Darrell Olgers, and their ropes would occasionally “bite” 11-year-old daughter, Emma. someone who was trying to tighten Janie Olgers and her daughthe ropes. ters joined a tour during the 18th On Saturday, N.C. Olgers’ daughAnnual Southside Virginia Heritage ters looked at a tintype of F. David Days. Each year, the Olgerses open Davis, an ancestor of the Olgers the plantation home for free to comfamily, which sits on a dresser in the memorate the anniversary of the master bedroom. Civil War Battle of Sutherland StaJust down the hall, parts of a Progress-Index Photo tion that occurred at the site on April clock in the guest bedroom helped A re’enactor portrays life in the 1860’s during the 18th Annual Southside Virginia Heritage Days in 2, 1865. The event also includes explain the origin of the nursery Dinwiddie County. mid-19th-century military and civilrhyme, “Hickory Dickory Dock.” ian living demonstrations, a moonMice would often be attracted to the shine exhibit, open-hearth cooking demonstrations, children’s story telling wooden cogs of clocks of the time, which were greased with bacon fat. by Jimmy Olgers, and vendors selling antiques, produce and food. And in the parlor, Darrell Olgers lifted the lid of an ornamental egg “I’m so glad that they do this. The main reason we came was to show to reveal flasks. The egg concealed the flasks for ladies who may have my granddaughters. It is important for them to see the heritage,” Janie wished to drink while not in the company of men. Olgers said. “It gives me a lot of pleasure to see the younger generation coming The Battle of Sutherland Station delivered a decisive victory for Union here and enjoying history,” Darrell Olgers said. “It is different than going troops because their capture of the South Side Railroad cut off Confederto a museum. Here, you are living history.” ate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s last supply line to Petersburg, according to the
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Dinwiddie to host Teen Expo DINWIDDIE — Dinwiddie County government, in partnership with the public schools, announces the first-ever Teen Expo will be held May 31 at the Eastside Community Enhancement Center. This free event is open to youth between the ages of 12 and 18, and will focus on summer employment opportunities, college opportunities, military recruiting, teen resources and much more. Tammie Collins, division chief of Planning and Community Development, explained, “The Teen Expo will expose participants to the opportunities and resources needed to be more competitive in the workforce.” During this one -day event, participants will attend interactive workshops on social networking, business and professional etiquette, and living above the negative influences of today’s society. Youth will have opportunities to engage in dialogue with local employers, representatives from several colleges as well as military personnel, in an effort to stimulate and support planning for their future. The day will not be without fun. Participants will enjoy a variety of youth-oriented activities, including a gaming station, mechanical bull, inflatable joust and computerized surf-simulator. District 5 Supervisor Brenda Ebron-Bonner is an advocate for youth and this project was born of her desire to provide additional opportunities geared toward that segment of our citizenry. District 2 Supervisor Dr. Mark Moore is also a member of the Teen Expo planning committee and stated, “I am proud to see Dinwiddie County stepping up and thinking outside of the box to let our youth know that they are a valuable part of the community.” Registration is required for this event. Forms, as well as additional information, can be found online atwww.playdinwiddie.com. Space is limited.
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Sometimes the biggest decisions in life are the easiest to make.
Just ask Bobby Perkins. obby Perkins is your typical proud family man. There is simply nothing more important than his son, Taylor, and daughter, Sydney. While Sydney was growing up, she spent her time cultivating a love for horses, while Taylor was practically born with a baseball in his hand. America’s pastime was Taylor’s passion from a young age, and when he started playing Dixie Youth Baseball and quickly emerged as a standout player. There was just one problem. As a farmer, the demands of Bobby’s farm often prevented him from being there to see his son play the game he loved.
At the Crossroads
A family man at heart, nothing is more important to Bobby than his wife, Jennie, and his kids, Taylor and Sydney. One of his favorite things to do is ride his black mule, Becky Sue, along the many surrounding trails with Sydney. Those fatherdaughter moments are some of his most treasured times in life.
“Home is the center of a family, and being able to impact such an important aspect of people’s lives inspires me each and every day.” – Bobby Perkins
e You Matt Because
Most
When you genuinely care about what you do, it shows. Bobby Perkins is living proof. As a leading Dinwiddie County real estate expert, Bobby’s care and devotion have ranked him among the area’s most productive professionals since 2003. But sales numbers aren’t how Bobby truly measures his success. To him, it’s about making sure his clients are completely satisfied with his service and that they plan to return to him again in the future. Because with something as important as your home, you can’t settle for anything less than the best. Call Bobby today to make the most of your next move. Because You Matter Most.
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Bobby’s in-depth local knowledge, strong business savvy and genuine desire to help people make him the best choice for all your real estate needs.
Because You Matter Most
INS PERK
Because You Matter
Bobby’s decision to entirely change the course of his professional life was, without a doubt, monumental. But it wasn’t as difficult of a decision as you might think. “I was confident that the skills required to successfully run the farm all those years would serve me well in any business,” Bobby says. “And when it gave me an opportunity to be more involved with my family, it was a no brainer.” Professionally, Bobby combined his strong work ethic, his business sense built over decades of running the farm and his lifetime of local knowledge to establish himself as one of Dinwiddie County’s leading real estate professionals. The lessons about hard work and determination that Bobby learned from his grandfather still echo in his head today, resulting in an uncommon devotion to helping his clients achieve their real estate goals.
To understand the enormity of the decision Bobby was about to make, you must first understand that farming was the only thing he’d ever known. He grew up right here in Dinwiddie County and worked side-by-side with his grandfather on the family farm from the time he was a very young boy. Rising before dawn and working well into nightfall was the norm for Bobby. But when Taylor earned a spot on that traveling team, Bobby knew he had to make a drastic change in order to be more involved in Taylor’s life. It was then that Bobby decided to give up farming. Everyone who knew him was shocked by his decision, but when Bobby found himself sitting in the bleachers at Taylor’s next game, he knew he’d made the right choice. He ended up traveling with the team frequently and was able to watch Taylor play in 11 different states, all before he went on to play college ball at VCU.
What Matters Most
On the farm, whenever challenges arose, Bobby always found a way to “make it work.” He does much the same in real estate. He’s a man who will keep your transaction moving forward despite the inevitable minor bumps in the road along the way. When he has a goal in mind, Bobby simply won’t quit giving everything he’s got until he accomplishes it. It’s a nice feeling to have on your side when your most important investment is at stake. If you’re considering the sale or purchase of a home or land in Dinwiddie County or the surrounding areas, make sure you work with a real estate professional who will put your needs ahead of his own and who will never give up in pursuit of helping make the most of your transaction. That’s exactly Bobby Perkins’ approach, Because You Matter Most. Call him today to schedule a private consultation.
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“Home is the center of a family, and being able to impact such an important aspect of people’s lives inspires me each and every day.” – Bobby Perkins
Education is key to a strong local economy By Tanya S. Hale, Dinwiddie County Chamber of Commerce Founder
We are beginning to see the rays of the economy glimmer through the darkness. As one of the fastest growing counties in the Commonwealth, recent growth and economic development announcements have presented us with new opportunities as a county on a multitude of levels. Our citizens are seeing job opportunities closer to home, hence our tax dollars are more likely to stay in the county and save our citizens valuable fuel and commuting expenses. We are seeing businesses who have experienced a lull begin to have more traffic and higher sales numbers. Businesses who have been home based businesses are beginning to seek commercial buildings and grow their business. These growth and development trends are also apparent in our schools. Both with the increases that are and will begin adding to the classroom sizes, the teaching staffs, right on down to the bus garage and maintenance employees. We are also seeing a turn in our schools for career planning at an earlier age. State mandates are being put into place which will drive our youth to begin career education in the middle school years. This will place a higher importance on career day in the elementary schools. Students are being given specific educational courses that will lead them on to their goals and interests. A member of the Career and Technical Education Board, as well as many other education, career and job related boards, we are finding it is more and more important to skill base our youth early to give them solid roots to their success filled future. For most, the expectation is that the school system should lead and provide for the youth and their future. This is not entirely true and will be more and more a matter of community involvement. We hear regularly how children should grow up and aspire to attend college. At a recent PEER Consortium at John Tyler Community College, Hale’s Electrical Service, Inc. teamed up with many other trade related and manufacturing related businesses and corporations in the area to set up at Godwin Hall where the trades and manufacturing are taught. We shared with high school guidance and educators the need for more skilled workforce. Stressing that each child is not destined for the business, medical or technical world, some are hands on, get dirty, leaders in their own right and that their passion for this hands on, get dirty style of work will become increasing important. Currently enrollment in the trades at Rowanty Technical and other Technical trade schools and community colleges in the area are down. When groups are asked to give reasoning for this, the resounding response is the push for higher education with a huge price tag. We must realize, just like in many areas of our lives, not everyone is the same and not every cookie is cut using the same mold. Our children and future adult population is the same. Each cookie has it’s own mold and we need to work harder to guide these children to the mold that fits them specifically. Additionally, the trades are a more traditionally economical education that can be more attainable for some potential students. I have very unique situations in my own life that serve as an example that maybe readers can relate to. I knew in eighth grade I wanted to attend a specific two year business school and get an associate’s degree in Business Administration/Accounting. First the cost was low, second the commitment was also low with the quicker outcome of an income for my education. Coming out of that school in the 80’s during massive unemployment lines, I took a support role in manufacturing that continued
9 years with promotions along the way. These promotions weren’t due to education, but rather hard work, attention to detail and good work ethics. Once I left to raise my children, I worked in-home direct sales, worked at a low-income medical clinic, worked insurance, moved to Virginia, worked the legal field and homeschooled my two young children, then David and I began our business when we saw a need in our community. Neither of us had formal Business Development classes, but rather we had a passion and a desire. David’s formal education did not occur until he was in his 30s. He had no desire to attend college. His electrical tradesman education, attention to detail, passion and perfectionism has brought him to the forefront of the generator business in Central Virginia. We are two individuals with minimal education, but a lifetime of learning and desire and passion. This passion supports our community with a successful business that contributes on a wide variety of levels. Given this brief story, how many of our youth have passions for things that adults are putting down to them and saying that they cannot make a living doing that? We should be encouraging our youth and noticing the qualities they have, giving them career ideas and opportunities to explore these passions. We cannot expect children to make adult decisions and begin career planning if we do not give them examples, ignite their passions and encourage them to chase their dreams. In this world, anything is possible, including becoming a millionaire with no college degree! Just look around you! Bottom line, as I presented at the PEER Consortium at John Tyler Community College, the statement that was overheard by a college degree carrying high school guidance counselor, “I did not know an electrician could make more than I make and spend less getting their degree, in less time. I may consider taking evening classes and change careers, as I like working outdoors.” With growth comes responsibility. Our responsibility as we see the growth around us is to ensure our future workforce is capable, educated and passionate about carrying on the business of business. Join me is sharing with our youth the passion of chasing your dreams and becoming a stronger member of this adult world.
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Power line upgrade coming to Dinwiddie DINWIDDIE — A $4 million power line could bring upgraded power service to over 1,000 customers in Dinwiddie County. Southside Electric Cooperative, a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative, has already begun the initial steps to complete the project by 2016. The power line will mainly run along the route of an existing power line, affecting only three new landowners. But the part of the line that will impact a historic battlefield in Dinwiddie has caused some affected landowners and some Board of Supervisors to raise concerns. “Nobody wants a power line going through their property. At the end of the day, it is what we have to do,” SEC’s Michael Bender said. Between 2009 and 2013, Center Star, the SEC’s substation in Dinwiddie, had a outage time in excess of 32 hours per year. That was well above the outage time recommended by the rural utility service, an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps bring utilities to rural areas. The RUS said an alternate source of power should be investigated for any delivery point with a 5-year average outage time in excess of one hour. The current distribution line that serves the SEC’s substation in Dinwiddie was ranked the second worst out of 246 Old Dominion Electric Cooperative delivery points across Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. The ODEC, the wholesale power provider for the SEC, completed the ranking. The 1,042 Dinwiddie customers served by SEC’s substation would be better served by a more reliable power line, Bender said. SEC plans to disconnect from Dominion Power’s distribution line that currently serves the substation and replace it with a transmission line that SEC would operate. The transmission lines require taller poles and wider easements. “There are much lower standards for a distribution line than a transmission line,” Bender said. A distribution line has a 30- or 40-foot wide right of way, Bender said, allowing trees and squirrels to easily knock it out. Transmission lines
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require a 100-foot right of way. “Anyone who lives under that transmission line, they will have extremely reliable service, including Dinwiddie High School,” Bender said. During Hurricane Isabel, Bender said that it took Dominion Power five days to restore power to the Center Star substation. But a SEC transmission line nearby was in service continuously throughout the storm. The new transmission line that SEC plans to build will tap into that transmission line. “If we had tapped into that line at that time, we would have never had power go out for those people,” Bender said. The line’s route diverts the National Park Service’s Five Forks battlefield and land owned by the Civil War Trust, Bender said. But it does impact land where the Battle of Dinwiddie Courthouse was fought, which is the first stop on Dinwiddie’s Civil War driving tour. The county’s sesquicentennial committee unveiled the driving tour last year in time for the 150th anniversary of many of the Civil War battles that took place in Dinwiddie. “Some of the land you are affecting has some local, historic potential. And some of it is in my district. So I have some citizens who are concerned about where this is going,” Supervisor Daniel Lee told Bender at a March 18 Board of Supervisors meeting. “I definitely think there is a need, but I think there could be some better solutions working with the county.” Because Southside Electric borrows money from the federal government to complete such a project, the SEC had to retrieve approval from several agencies including the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Reviews by the Civil War Trust and the Virginia Department of Historical Resources also gave the SEC a green light to build the line. The SEC did not, however, have to get permission from the county because the plan only deals with an extension of electrical services. The project also evaded State Corporation Commission permission because it
You are invited to join us! Mr. Fredaerick L. Wilkerson, Bank of McKenney is confirmed to speak on business credit on May 21, 2014 6PM @ the Eastside Enhancement Center Please RSVP to info@dinwiddiechamber.org 7301 Boydton Plank Rd., Petersburg, VA 23803 More information call: (804) 861-8774 or E-Mail info@dinwiddiechamber.org
BUILDING BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT ONE MEMBER AT A TIME!
didn’t involve the type of voltage necessary to prompt the oversight. don’t live and make it straight. They have it zigzagging because the subThat left supervisors only able to offer suggestions and voice concerns station is having to act on their own. Dominion Power won’t improve their during the March 18 meeting. Bender said the SEC has an open invitafeeds. And it is all for something that could be corrected with the utilities if tion for supervisors to discuss the route. they sit at the table and figure it out. It doesn’t make good sense,” RobBender also said that the plans would affect a total of 111 landownbins said. ers, three of whom are newly affected landowners. The SEC will purchase After acknowledging that the new line would impact the Battle of Dinthe land for the expanded and new rights of way from owners. widdie Courthouse, Bender said the route is the best out of five considBender said that he received responses from few landowners after a ered routes to meet the cooperative’s goal of enhancing service. December 2013 letter was sent out. One of those responses came from “People who have registered historical homes or battlefields, we have Dan Robbins, who lives on the land where the core of the Battle of Dinmanaged to navigate without hitting any of those,” Bender said. “Threadwiddie Courthouse was fought. He is also a member of the sesquicentening the needle through the historic area has been a challenging task. We nial committee. have done an exhaustive routing study.” Robbins doesn’t have a problem with the smaller distribution line that Bender told supervisors the SEC considered a route that went down already runs through his land. His concern comes with the taller transmisWheeler Pond Road and crossed over the Battle of Five Forks. sion lines. “The historical impact of that was going to be very “Right now, it [the distribution line] is hardly “Threading the needle challenging,” Bender said. noticeable. We are on a rolling plain and the current Another cross-country route would have required through the historic area poles are no taller than a tree so you can observe the all new right of ways and would have impacted a battlefield uninhibited,” Robbins said. has been a challenging piece of property that is currently unencumbered, “Transmission lines are higher. It takes away from Bender said. task. We have done an the character of the land, of the landscape. They The chosen plan has the new line tapping into the stick up so high from the surrounding trees that you exhaustive routing study.” existing SEC transmission line at White Oak and Claican’t help but see them. Not only would it impair the borne roads. From that point, the line would extend 9 battlefield, but it would impair it as a development, miles to the Dinwiddie substation. because it runs right through it,” Robbins said. Almost the entire 9-mile line — 8.5 miles of line — would run along After he raised objections, the SEC adjusted the plan and presented the route of the existing line. The SEC would still have to expand the easeRobbins with several other options. Robbins is currently considering a ments to 100 feet and install new lines and taller poles along that existing proposal that would still cut through the land, but would involve fewer, route. and taller, poles. Another option SEC presented was to run the line along “We are going to keep the line at least 50 feet from any home,” the edge of his property further away from his home. That proposal would Bender said. require more poles. That leaves a half-mile of entirely new line where the SEC would need Robbins believes that he is getting the short end of the stick because to acquire new rights of way and construct new 70-foot poles. his land is in private hands, rather than being federal or state property. The SEC’s goal is to complete all right of way acquisitions this year He added it is all to achieve a patchwork plan needed because the utility and begin construction in 2015 with a project completion in 2016. SEC companies have failed to work together. will be meeting with landowners in the coming weeks to make cash offers “The whole crux of it is that you put transmission lines where people for the additional rights of way to construct the line.
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Upcoming Events
Pet Adoption Day 2014
April 26, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM @ Dinwiddie County Animal Pound Dogs and cats will be available for adoption from Dinwiddie Animal Control as well as a variety of other local shelters and rescues. A rabies clinic will be conducted by Chesdin Animal Hospital from 2 - 4 pm. Vaccines are $9 each. Lunch will be provided and there will be a Kids’ Zone for our younger citizens.
McKenney Farmers Market
April 25 - october 24 Every Friday 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM 10402 Doyle Blvd McKenney, VA 23872 www.dinwiddieva.us/index.aspx?nid=1022 No admission for general public.
An Evening with Mark Twain
May 5, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM @ Dinwiddie County Historic Courthouse Admission is Free
Mission Statement: The mission of the McKenney Farmers Market is to provide access to locally Virginia grown and produced products and create a sense of community.
Goals The McKenney Farmers Market: • Increases access to fresh, locally produced, nourishing, and safe foods for all people. • Encourages, supports, and promotes the entrepreneurial efforts of local, independent, and small-scale farmers, local growers, and local artisans, seeking to sell their products/produce directly to consumers. • Creates an opportunity for people to meet, eat, and share stories, recipes, and knowledge in a place dedicated to the cultivation of local products and talents. • Strives to create an atmosphere that serves not only the market, but contributes to our prosperous rural areas, while promoting a sense of community.
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Gary Robertson will perform as Mark Twain at the Friends of the Library, Dinwiddie spring meeting. Prepare yourself for an evening of insights and stories from the entertaining Mr. Twain. Refreshments will be served.
DeWitt-Rocky Run Ruritan Shrimp Dinner
May 23, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM @ DeWitt-Rocky Run Ruritan Club $20 per person (tickets available from any DeWitt-Rocky Run Ruritan Club member). 14929 Glebe Rdl, DeWitt, VA 23841
White Oak UMC Heritage Day
June 21, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM @ White Oak United Methodist Church 9515 White Oak Church Rd. Wilsons, VA 23894
Your Local Military Information • Local stories & features regarding Fort Lee • Fort Lee Calendar of events • Latest information • Columns from a local military expert
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McKenney recreation center moves forward DINWIDDIE — A centerpiece project in the county’s capital improvement agenda will move into its design phase. The Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to contract with Baxter Bailey & Associates to complete design work for the $2.45 million multipurpose center in McKenney that is expected to bring needed recreational programs to the town. Long in the works after the building was donated to the county by the Ragsdale family, the McKenney center now has $214,385 behind it to cover design costs. Preliminary plans drawn up by Baxter Bailey & Associates include space for a library, kitchen, game room, kiddie lounge, gymnastic room, fitness rooms, computer labs, senior room and cafe. The county’s fiscal year 2014 capital improvement plan put $360,000 toward the project. The county at first slated the money to design just the library section of the building. The county switched gears later on, deciding to do the design for the building all at once. The $214,385 for the design costs represents a fraction, 8.75 percent, of the $2.45 million in estimated construction costs for the project. Dinwiddie County Administrator Kevin Massengill said the long-awaited project will be a great way to honor the Ragsdale family.
“Those children have waited patiently over the years,” Massengill said, referring to the Ragsdale family. Baxter Bailey & Associates is one of five firms short-listed for the project and was eventually selected based on the firm’s “thorough knowledge of the project,” a county staff report reads. The firm developed a basic concept study for the center in April 2010. Those concept drawings were unveiled to McKenney residents at a town hall meeting in 2013. The plans received many nods from the town’s residents. It was a change in tune from a McKenney town hall meeting in 2012, when residents told the Board of Supervisors and county staff they felt neglected after seeing county funds go elsewhere for years. The McKenney recreation center may be complimented by another new recreational facility in town. The county is also looking at purchasing the McKenney Ruritan Club gym to provide needed gym space in the southern area of the county. Parks and Recreation Director Brian Mancini has said the Ruritan Club gym could become the Eastside Community Enhancement Center for McKenney. The Ruritan Club building is a couple of miles away from the McKenney building.
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