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Event at Virginia Motorsports Park brings racing, food and fun

Pierce said that he wanted to make the event a Tri-Cities tradition for the From staff reports 20 ld venue. 20-year-old NW h k d to the h Virginia MotorM DINWIDDIE — Tri-Cities racing enthusiasts flocked “We want to make it an annual event. People go to The Diamond and sports Park over the Fourth of July weekend for a day filled with the sounds they’ve been doing that for 20 years,” he said. “We want something annual of burnouts and roaring engines for the first annual Summer Badness — a in the Tri-Cities.” celebration of drag racing, food, music and fireworks. Chesterfield resident Jennifer Radcliff has been coming The event drew racers and their crews from around the country and even featured a male and female “I love the smell of the to Virginia Motorsports Park for other events for years. She enjoys the fireworks about as much as she enjoys swimsuit contest. nitromethane. I love the the racing. Farell Heath, who works at Virginia Motorsports Park to supervise parking, summed up the love of rac- smell of the smoke from “I think that is what draws people out. They always do a really good fireworks display,” she said. “Before the fireing shared by many who came out. the rubber burning. works, they turn all of the lights off on the track at once. It “I love the smell of the nitromethane. I love the smell takes everyone by surprise.” of the smoke from the rubber burning. I love racing,” I love racing.” J.C. Richardson came to Summer Badness for a little he said. healthy competition. Heath, who lives in Petersburg, has been a racing The Sutherland resident, who has been racing for 30 years, brought his fan for 40 years. But Summer Badness had something for everyone, even 1969 Camaro out to the drag strip. He’s traveled as far as Florida for a those without passion for the sport. good race. The event featured a musical line up of country, gospel and hip-hop More than 200 racers participated in the inaugural Summer Badness picked by Petersburg music enthusiast D.J. Foot, who organized Summer event. Badness with the park’s general manager Bryan Pierce.

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Two cars gets lifted off the ground from their initial acceleration during a race at Summer Badness, an event that featured a 1/4 mile drag racing competition and other activities at Virginia Motorsports Park.

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Fifth-grader makes school history

From staff reports DINWIDDIE — In the 32 years since Sunnyside Elementary School has been in operation, no student has ever gotten a perfect score on all of their Virginia Standards of Learning tests — until now. Fifth-grader Laine Everett, 11, has finished her elementary school career by completing all five of her SOLs with a score of 600, the highest a student can receive on the test. “I was kind of nervous at first because it’s the big test at the end of the year, but it turned out OK,” Laine said. According to her mother, Amy Everett, Laine was recognized at the End of the Year Awards Ceremony held CONTRIBUTED PHOTO for fifth-graders at SunLaine Abigail Everett, a 5th grader at Sunnyside Elementary in Dinwiddie County, was honored for achieving a perfect 600 nyside. Georgette Mickscore on all five SOL tests. ens, school guidance counselor, and Wanda Snodgrass, school principal presented the award after backtracking records since the school’s opening. “We’ve had plenty of students get three or four perfect scores, but never five,” Snodgrass said. The news came as a surprise to both the mother and daughter. “SOLs are a big thing in the education world [of Virginia]. Laine’s the type who strives to be the best at everything,” her mother said. “I just hope she’ll strive to keep being the best without putting pressure on herself. Hopefully this is the beginning to a road of academic success.” For fifth-graders, five tests have to be taken in the subjects of science, social studies, math, reading and writing. Laine said science and math were the most challenging for her, but according to score sheets provided by her mother she answered all the questions on the math test correctly and in all the other subjects answered no more than one question incorrectly. Laine said it was because of her teacher, Shannon Crowder, that she was able to do so well on the tests. She said Crowder quizzed her class on everything she thought was going to be on the tests. “It shows the teachers are working hard with their students to make sure they succeed,” Mickens said.

Mickens, Snodgrass and Laine’s mother all described her as a very d goal-driven ld d h is always l l d willing ll l serious and student who smiling and to h help in anyway that she can. “She is very conscientious and focused. She is an all-around good student who is compassionate and intent on learning what she’s supposed to do,” Snodgrass said. In terms of this putting pressure on other students in the coming years, Snodgrass said it should only act as a motivation. “It motivates other students to strive for that because now it’s an attainable goal,” she said. While this may be true, Snodgrass did say that some students, especially those who are high achievers, could put pressure on themselves. “As they raise the bar of the SOL, it makes it stressful for them,” she said. Laine, however, said that while she did stress she didn’t let the pressure get to her. She said that the biggest piece of advice she can give to students taking the SOL is to just relax. “Don’t stress out about it because that just makes it worse when you start taking it and take your time, don’t rush because if you rush then you’ll get it all wrong,” Laine said. Outside of school, Laine participates in dance and plays soccer. Her favorite subject is history, and she said her favorite historical event to study is the Civil War. She also said that when she grows up, she wants to be a physical therapist.

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Family celebrates 100-year anniversary by re-enacting ancestors’ immigration to Dinwiddie

The ffamily by ttrain Baltimore Petersburg and Th il ttraveled l db i ffrom B lti tto P t b d ttookk a F staff From t ff reportst carriage to the home of Frances and her husband Joseph Mizura. The The clopping of hooves and a carriage carrying eight children in Mizuras were farmers who raised peanuts, corn and cattle. traditional Bohemian clothing was heard and seen traveling along Syca“They evidently had a lot of Czech people come to their home and more Street and Halifax Road in July. helped them settle,” Zitta said. It marked the 100-year anniversary of Lydia Zita coming to America. Zitta said it’s believed that the Mizera family had the Zita family stay Her nephew, Victor Zitta, organized the event July 8 to commemorate the with them in their house until they could live on their own. His father, arrival of his family to the United States. The re-enactment included the Bohumil Josef Zita, who was 12 years old at the time, said the first year family arriving at Union Train Station and taking the carriage ride to the was rough on the family. Mizera — now the Wilson — Farm “He said it was horrible,” Zitta on Halifax Road in Dinwiddie Counsaid. “My grandfather would ride ty. into town and get $3 from Lydia to “We’re trying to get it so that the buy groceries.” younger generation will realize Zitta said his grandfather would what the older generation did so milk cows at what is today Richard that we can all live in America and Bland College. Lydia hemmed handhave the opportunities we’ve had kerchiefs in Richmond. She also here,” Zitta said. worked as a maid and in the clerk’s Lydia arrived in the United States office in Petersburg and she ran a at the age of 16, he said. She was furniture store. the oldest of eight children and had Zitta said it’s important to share been communicating with her first this rich family history with the cousin, Frances Mizera, about opyounger generation. portunities in America. Two of his five children attended “She said she would really be somethe re-enactment, his oldest daughbody [if she came to the U.S.],” PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTOS ter Sarah Clark and second oldest Zitta said. Descendents of the Zitta family ride up Sycamore Street in a horse carriage Tuesday.They recreated daughter Anita Zitta, along with part of their ancestors’ immigration to Dinwiddie County, arriving via train then taking a ride to the Lydia left Bohemia — present family homestead on Halifax Road. other extended family members. day Czech Republic — and arrived “I think it’s important to underin America in June 1913. She kept stand where your family came from because history always tells you a lot in contact with her family in Bohemia through letters. about who you are ... and the different values your family holds, where Victor Zitta and his cousins found the letters in the early ’90s and they came from, why people feel a certain way about just life in general,” translated them into a single document. The document would be the Clark said. “It also gives you an appreciation for where you are and inspiration for the mini-drama “Lydia Comes to America,” which was what other people had to do to make sure you got where you are.” performed at the Prince George Heritage Center in 2013. Anita Zitta said the re-enactment and family celebration her father set When Lydia’s family realized she was not coming back, they sold their up is important for the family’s younger generation because they’ll grow house for 2,500 Austrian gold coins, Zitta said. Traveling on a steamer to appreciate where they came from, just as she has. called Neckar, the Zita family arrived in Baltimore on May 8, 1914, “It makes memories,” she said. “They’ll have something to look back where their last name was given an extra “T” to sound “more American,” on and learn from.” a common practice at the time with immigrating Europeans and Asians.

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Dinwiddie’s credit rating upgraded

DINWIDDIE — Dinwiddie County received notification on June 16 that it’s Standard & Poor’s Issuer Credit rating has been increased from AA- to AA. Additionally, the Lease Revenue credit rating of the county’s Industrial Development Authority was increased from A+ to AA-. Standard & Poor’s Rating Services provide high-quality market intelligence in the form of credit ratings, research, and thought leadership. The rating is a measure of financial management, oversight and responsibility. The highest possible S&P Rating is AAA. An organization’s S&P rating helps to determine interest rates when borrowing for capital projects. A higher S&P rating equates to a lower interest rate. Anne Howerton, division chief of Finance and General Services for Dinwiddie County, stated, “Despite economic challenges, Dinwiddie has maintained a strong fiscal condition. This increased rating helps to make the county eligible for a better interest rate, which will be extremely beneficial as the Board of Supervisors considers construction of a new government and human services complex.” For more information on Dinwiddie County’s finances, visit the Budget/ Transparent Dinwiddie page of the county’s website, www.dinwiddieva.us.

State Sen. Harry L. Marsh III resigns

From Staff Reports L ti Vi i i lawmaker l k state t t Sen. S H L Marsh M h RICHMOND — Longtime Virginia Henry L. III, D-Richmond, is leaving the Senate. The 80-year-old Marsh, a civil rights lawyer, submitted a letter of resignation to Gov. Terry McAuliffe on Tuesday, saying his resignation is effective July 3. Marsh’s district includes all of Petersburg and parts of Dinwiddie, Chesterfield, Prince George, Richmond and Hopewell. He was first elected to the state Senate in 1992. “Sen. Marsh has always been a pioneer in the field of civil rights,” McAuliffe said in a statement. “As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, there is no doubt of the hand that Sen. Marsh played in making that dream a reality. He solidified his place in history as Richmond’s first African-American mayor, and he has been a devoted public servant for over 50 years.” U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., echoed those sentiments. “His service to our country in the U.S. Army, followed by his work as a leading civil rights attorney, Richmond’s first African-American mayor and as a longtime member of the senate of Virginia demonstrates his lifelong commitment to a freer and fairer society,” Warner said in a statement. In his resignation letter, Marsh said he looks forward to taking advantage of new opportunities to continue his service to Virginia. A special election will be held to fill the balance of Marsh’s term. Two Democrats - Delegate Rosayln Dance and former Richmond Mayor Rudolph “Rudy” C. McCollum - are seeking the Democratic nomination. Independent Preston Brown is also seeking the seat.

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Luck Stone cancels quarry plan

From staff reports DINWIDDIE — Only days before a public hearing, Luck Stone dropped plans to open a 360-acre rock quarry in Dinwiddie County. In a statement, Luck Stone officials said they have withdrawn their conditional use application but “remains excited about the many opportunities” in Dinwiddie. County residents packed a Planning Commission meeting in June, with most opposed to the idea of a quarry so close to a residential area on Frontage Road. They listed concerns including noise, truck traffic and pollution. Luck Stone hoped to mine Petersburg granite at the site, with development beginning by 2018. A group called Residents for a Better Dinwiddie led the opposition to the plan. The Planning Commission voted 6-1 against the plan. The Board of Supervisors had scheduled a public hearing on the matter Tuesday night. “We still believe a quarry in Dinwiddie will create a positive economic and fiscal impact while supporting future development; however, at this time we’ve decided to remove our application while remaining committed to the community,” Ben Thompson, land development director at Luck Stone, said in a statement. “We were humbled and energized by the

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numerous positive comments shared about our company by the commissioners and community members at the Planning Commission meeting last month.” The county Planning Commission voted 6-1 to recommend denial of a proposed quarry on Frontage Road that has been opposed by scores of residents. Planning Commission members said they were recommending that the Board of Supervisors reject Luck Stone’s conditional use permit because the proposal would have a negative impact on the quality of life on Frontage Road and Dinwiddie County. The company proposed to build a 360-acre rock quarry at the end of Frontage Road to extract a mineral known as Petersburg granite, which is used in materials that make homes, schools, roads and parking lots. Citizens who live on the road and elsewhere in the county said they were worried over the effects the quarry would have on the community. Some of the most pressing issues for citizens were blasting, dusting, water pollution, traffic and decreasing property values. Luck Stone officials said the quarry would have supported economic growth in the county. Forty jobs would have been created from Luck Stone moving into the county and the quarry would have generated a tax revenue of $357,000 per year.

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Thanks to those that made Dinwiddie Teen Expo a success

T There are instances in which public officials get a true sense of why it is they choose to serve. One off those instances occurred ffor me and my ffellow Board of Supervisors member Dr. Mark Moore on Saturday, May 31, 2014 during the Dinwiddie Teen Expo. Having served on the planning committee for the first-ever Dinwiddie Teen Expo, Dr. Moore and I know, first-hand, all of the hard work that went into this event. The committee has met regularly since November 2013 and critically considered each aspect of the Teen Expo to ensure that the event would be informative, engaging and fun for youth participants. On behalf of the Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors, I would like to say â&#x20AC;&#x153;thank youâ&#x20AC;? to everyone who played a role in making this inaugural event a huge success! The planning committee was COMMENTARY comprised of members of the Board of Supervisors and School Board members, representatives from County administration, Comprehensive Services, Parks, Recreation & Tourism, School Board Office administrators, Extension/4-H, and John Tyler Community College. Beyond planning, this core group worked tirelessly to recruit, train and coordinate an incredible team of more than 40 volunteers that facilitated the event running smoothly. We also thank the many local

businesses, colleges, universities and military personnel who were on-site to provide information and speak directly with youth about educational and f career opportunities. The final and most important group that we would like to recognize is the 70 youth who participated in the Teen Expo. It was both impressive and refreshing to see so many young people giving up a beautiful Saturday in order to take advantage of opportunities to better themselves. Their respectful, positive demeanor and smiling faces conveyed the sense that they genuinely wanted to be there. The highlight of the day for us as Dinwiddie Board of Supervisors members was being able to talk one-on-one with youth throughout the day and especially over lunch. These were bright, energetic, talented and ambitious young people. They have great ideas and lots to say, if only we will take time to listen. Our youth are our future and if these kids are any indication, Dinwiddie County is in great shape! Brenda Ebron-Bonner, District 3 Dr. Mark E. Moore, District 2 Board of Supervisors, Dinwiddie County

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County approves stormwater plan

From staff reports With the stormwater administrator in place, place the new amendments also DINWIDDIE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The unanimously Th Board B d off Supervisors S i i l agreed d to t make amendments to the county code to deal with the issue of stormwa- state that no land disturbing activity â&#x20AC;&#x201D; like construction â&#x20AC;&#x201D; can take place without a Virginia Stormwater Management Program permit that ter management. Localities throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed is issued by Edwards. have had to implement plans on how to deal with stormwater runoff, The new amendments implement one-time fees as well for permits, which has been a leading cause of pollution in the bay. modifications and maintenance of commercial land and residential The new code ensures that the county is in compliance with the Virsubdivisions. These fees are determined by the amount of acres and ginia Stormwater Act that requires a locality to adopt a Virginia Stormhow those acres are used. If the land is less than one acre, they would water Management Program. The county had until July 1 to adopt and pay $290; one to five acres would be $2,700; implement a program that meets state regulations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The reasoning of this new ordinance and the â&#x20AC;&#x153;The reasoning of this five to 10 acres would be $3,400; 10 to 50 acres would be $4,500; and 50 to 100 acres would pay purpose of it is that we want to ensure the general new ordinance and the $6,100. People owning more than 100 acres will health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Dinwiddie County,â&#x20AC;? said Stephen Edwards, environmental purpose of it is that we pay $9,600. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The fees will go to [the Department of Environinspector for the county. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[We also want to] protect want to ensure the genmental Quality] and the other expenses for running the quality and quantity of state borders from poteneral health, safety and the program,â&#x20AC;? Tyler Southall, county attorney, said. tial harm and unmanaged stormwater including protection from land-disturbing activities causing unreawelfare of the citizens of The county stormwater plan would take 72 percent of the fees, while the DEQ would take 28 percent sonable degradation of properties, water qualities, Dinwiddie Countyâ&#x20AC;? of the fees. VSMP administrator Edwards said that stream channels and other natural resources. We these fees are important because they cover the cost want to establish procedures whereby stormwater requirements related to water quality and quantity shall be administered of the plan review, the registration statement review, the permit issued, the inspections, reporting, database management, compliance activiand enforced.â&#x20AC;? The proposed amendments included appointing a Virginia Stormwa- ties, program oversight. As far as DEQâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s portion, Edwards said their portion covers the costs ter Management Program authority to run the program. The Board of of expenses like the review for local program application packages Supervisors appointed Edwards as the administrator for the program. submitted by commercial land owners, statewide program auditing by â&#x20AC;&#x153;We just had to find a way to implement the plan and he was the best DEQ and development of a stormwater management handbook. qualified person to do it,â&#x20AC;? William Chavis, Board of Supervisors chair man, said.

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Supervisor travels to Alaska to strengthen Dinwiddie County

From staff reports DINWIDDIE — Supervisor Harrison Moody traveled to Anchorage Borough, Alaska, for the 40th Annual National Association of Counties 2014 Western Interstate Region Conference. According to Brian Namey, director of public affairs for NACo, hundreds of representatives of counties in the nation attended. The purpose of the conference was to discuss issues that were pertinent to the counties on a national level. One topic was reauthorizing MAP-21, a bill signed into law in 2012 that looks to improve transportation and road infrastructure in the United States. Another was securing long-term funding solutions for counties through the payment in lieu of taxes program, which sets aside money for the counties whose land is taken away for federal use, such as Fort Lee. The Secure Rural Schools programs and the new definition of waters under the Clean Waters Act, which defines what waters are under federal control within a county, were also major issues at the conference. “A lot of stuff is passed in Congress, so we need people to be aware

of these issues and lobby for them,” Moody said. Moody is a member of the NACo Board of Directors, as well as a mem ber of the Virginia Association of Counties, where he was appointed secretary-treasurer in 2010. “Dinwiddie is a rural county with some developed areas. I’ll relay the information [that I’ve learned] to the other board members on initiatives to help better the county,” Moody said. “I also felt like I was representing the state, so some of this could be helpful to other counties too.” Two other Virginia officials attended: VACo attorney Phyllis Errico and Fairfax County Supervisor Gerald “Gerry” Hyland. NACo public affairs director Brian Namey said the conference speakers included Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski, Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan and Alaska regional forester Beth Pendelton. “With every policy, we want to make sure county officials have a seat at the table,” Namey said. “We want to amplify their voices on federal policy issues that affect them every day.”

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150th Anniversary: Anniversary y Battle of the Crater

Upcoming Events 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. 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.

Workcamp 2014 Monday, July 28 Workcamps are intensive one-week trips that help people grow in Christian faith through service. Individuals and youth from around the country will spend one week in our community performing hands-on home-repair projects for elderly, low-income, and disabled families. The work at each home will be done by 5 young people and at least one adult leader, representing many Christian denominations. Both labor and materials are free to qualifying households. To learn how your home might be included, please click the link below.

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July 30, 5:30 AM - 6:15 AM M @ Eastern Front Unit, Tour Stop 8 A commemorative program m will take place at the time of the explosion, at mid-day, and ranger tours will be a keynote address will be given g provided in the morning and an n afternoon. For more information please call ext. 202 202. 804-732-3531 4 ext

Remember the Glorious Dead: The Battle of the Crater July 30, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM @ Blandford Church Reception Center A special event commemorating southern soldiers killed at the Battle of the Crater, this walking tour will allow participants to learn the story of this encounter, view memorial plaques and stones in Blandford Church and Cemetery and visit the final resting places of Confederate soldiers buried in the Memorial Hill section of the 189 acre cemetery. Doors to the event open at 6:30 pm. This partnership is sponsored by the City of Petersburg Museums and the Petersburg National Battlefield.

150th Anniversary: Battle of the Crater - Panel Presentation August 1, All Day @ 10:00am - 12:00pm (noon) at Gillfield Baptist Church - 209 Perry Street, Petersburg VA 1:00pm - 3:00pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church - 10 Union Street, Petersburg VA In the morning and afternoon two panel discussions, with three speakers each and a Q & A session will be held in downtown Petersburg. One will address the battle and the other impacts of the siege on the those living in the city. For more information please call 804-732-3531 ext. 202.

150th Anniversary: Battle of the Crater - Living History Program August 2, All Day @ Eastern Front Unit, Tour Stop 7 & 8 Living history programs will focus on the battle, the soldiers and their weapons, and field medicine throughout the day. Watch Union and Confederate artillery in action and “meet” Generals Grant & Lee to hear their thoughts on this battle. The Virginia Civil War History mobile will be on hand and family activities will be available. For more information please call 804732-3531 ext. 202. Parking will be in the City of Petersburg where free shuttle service will transport visitors to and from the Battlefield.

The First World War - 100 Years On

August 4, 7:00 PM @ Eastern Front Visitor Center Auditorium The trench warfare during the Siege of Petersburg was considered a precursor to World War I, and to commemorate that war’s 100th anniversary Petersburg National Battlefield will be showing the 10 part series, “The First World War.” The series, which first aired in 2003, is based on the work of noted British historian Sir Hugh Strachan, and examines every aspect of one of the most pivotal events in the 20th-century history.

August 18, 7:00 PM @ Eastern Front Visitor Center Auditorium The trench warfare during the Siege of Petersburg was considered a precursor to World War I, and to commemorate that war’s 100th anniversary Petersburg National Battlefield will be showing the 10 part series, “The First World War.” The series, which first aired in 2003, is based on the work of noted British historian Sir Hugh Strachan, and examines every aspect of one of the most pivotal events in the 20th-century history.

150th Anniversary: Grant’s Headquarter’s City Point, VA

Dinwiddie County Sesquicentennial Speaker Series: Gary Helm “Civil War Medical Demonstration”

August 9, All Day @ General Grant’s Headquarters Unit Ranger programs and living history events will bring to life and explore the role this village as it was transformed into one of the world’s busiest ports and one of the largest field supply bases of the Civil War. For more information please call 804-732-3531 ext. 202.

The First World War - 100 Years On August 11, 7:00 PM @ Eastern Front Visitor Center Auditorium The trench warfare during the Siege of Petersburg was considered a precursor to World War I, and to commemorate that war’s 100th anniversary Petersburg National Battlefield will be showing the 10 part series, “The First World War.” The series, which first aired in 2003, is based on the work of noted British historian Sir Hugh Strachan, and examines every aspect of one of the most pivotal events in the 20th-century history.

Colonial Classic $5K (Top & Mod) August 15, All Day @ Virginia Motorsports Park

Civil War 150th Speaker Series: United States Colored Troops Prisoners of War August 16, All Day @ To Be Determined For program information contract Grant Gates at 804-732-3531 ext. 202 or by email at Grant_Gates@nps.gov

Movie Night at the Complex - the Lego Movie August 16, 8:45 PM @ Dinwiddie County Sports Complex Experience the blockbuster “the Lego Movie” with all of your family and friends on a huge 18’ inflated screen while relaxing in a lawn chair or on a blanket at the Dinwiddie County Sports Complex. The event is FREE to the public and concessions including; popcorn, hotdogs, drinks, etc. will be sold on-site.

Colonial Classic $5K (Top & Mod)

August 21, 7:00 PM @ Historic Dinwiddie Courthouse One of a soldier’s greatest fears was, what would happen to them when wounded on the battlefield? Gary Helm of Pamplin Park will portray a Civil War surgeon in dealing with the effects of a soldier’s bullet wound. Gary Helm is the Supervisor of Historical Interpretation and Visitor Services at Pamplin Historical Park.

150th Anniversary: Battles of Weldon Railroad & Reams Station August 23 - August 24 @ Western Front Unit, Tour Stop 1 (Fort Wadsworth) Rangers and living historians at stops along these two battlefields will provide insight to Gen. Grant’s Fourth Offensive of the siege and the impact it had on the struggle over Petersburg’s fate. For more information please call 804-732-3531 ext. 202.

The First World War - 100 Years On August 25, 7:00 PM @ Eastern Front Visitor Center Auditorium The trench warfare during the Siege of Petersburg was considered a precursor to World War I, and to commemorate that war’s 100th anniversary Petersburg National Battlefield will be showing the 10 part series, “The First World War.” The series, which first aired in 2003, is based on the work of noted British historian Sir Hugh Strachan, and examines every aspect of one of the most pivotal events in the 20th-century history.

BugOut 76 All VW Race & Show August 31, All Day @ Virginia Motorsports Park The Virginia-based BugOut is one of the largest total all-Volkswagen show events in the country. VW enthusiasts are treated to a full day of some of the east coast’s fastest Volkswagens racing on the 1/8 mile drag strip with over 45 air cooled and water cooled VW show car classes on display, a huge swap meet, parts vendors, and a slalom event. Over $15,000 in cash and prizes were awarded at each BugOut.

August 17, All Day @ Virginia Motorsports Park

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