Beach Opens

Holiday Lake State Park opened their swimming beach to the public Memorial Day weekend, and it will remain open through Labor Day weekend. The beach is open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on weekends. There is a fee for beach swimming. On weekdays, children ages 3-12 swim for $2, and people ages 13 and up swim for $3. On weekends, children ages 3-12 swim for $3, and people ages 13 and up swim for $4. Children under 3 years old always swim for free. Group rates, discount swim coupons, and annual swimming passes are also available at the park. For more information or to purchase swim coupons or annual passes, contact the park at 434-248-6308. Holliday Lake State Park is located at 2759 State Park Road in Appomattox.

Chicken BBQ Fundraiser

Buckingham Baptist Church will hold a chicken barbeque fundraiser on Saturday, May 30, beginning at 11 a.m. Each meal will feature two pieces of Bobby’s perfectly seasoned chicken quarters, Texas oven baked beans, homemade potato salad, Jenn’s spoon bread, pineapple iced tea, and homemade brownies. Hot dogs are available instead of chicken quarters for any kid’s meal. The cost is $8 per person, and all proceeds benefit the youth mission trip with Impact VA. Pre-orders are available by calling 434-983-2232 and leaving a message. The church is located at 23234 James Madison Highway in Arvonia.

Gospel Concert

Mt. Olive Baptist Church will hold a gospel concert on Sunday, May 31, beginning at 3 p.m. The concert will include performances by Chris Lewis and Company, the St. Joy Men’s Chorus, the West Bottom Baptist Church Praise Team, the Dillwyn Holy Temple Praise Team, and More Than Blessed. All are invited to come join in this free event, a continuation of the church’s celebration of their 150th anniversary as a congregation. The church is located at 16901 North James Madison Highway in Dillwyn.

Community Center Meeting

The Curdsville Community Center will meet on Monday, June 1, at 6:30 p.m. for its monthly meeting and potluck supper. There is no speaker planned, but there will be plenty of food and friends and neighbors, old and new, to meet. The event is free and open to the public, so come and enjoy good food and good company. Participants are asked to bring a covered dish to share. The Curdsville Community Center is located at 122 School Road, just off of Route 15, halfway between Farmville and Dillwyn.

Benefit Dinner

Browns Chapel United Methodist Church is sponsoring a drive-thru barbeque dinner to benefit the family of Richard Ragland on Wednesday, June 3, beginning at 4 p.m. The event will take place at the Buckingham County Preschool, and the cost is by donation only. If you cannot make the event and would like to contribute, donations can be mailed to 361 Thomas Road, Dillwyn, VA 23936. For more information, contact 434-547-9484. Buckingham County Preschool is located at 77 Buckingham Preschool Road, just off High School Road, in Buckingham.

1st Thursdays in Dillwyn

First Thursdays in the Dillwyn Pocket Park is on summer vacation for the month of June! While there will be no event on the evening of Thursday, June 4, the Dillwyn Pocket Park will be open and available to the public. The next First Thursday event will take place on Thursday, July 2. If you are interested in participating in the July event as a vendor or entertainer, please contact Carolyn Davis.

Clean the Bay Day

Clean the Bay Day is Saturday, June 6, and you can get involved locally to help keep the Chesapeake Bay clean, starting at our own local watersheds! Holliday Lake State Park will host an event from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at the lakeside. Participants will help clean up the lakeside and learn about how trash, fertilizer, and even soil can affect life in the Chesapeake Bay. From 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., James River State Park will host a float down the James River to Treasure Island where participants will stop and pick up any litter they find. If you find at least 15 pieces of trash, you will be able to go on the Tye Overlook wagon ride for free! The park will provide all equipment. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes. Unfortunately, no children under 6 years old will be able to attend this event, and pre-registration is required. Please contact the parks for more information or to sign up. Holliday Lake State Park can be reached at 434-248-6308. James River State Park can be reached at 434-933-4395.

Community Day

The Buckingham County Rescue Squad will hold their annual community day event on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the rescue squad building. The event will feature vendors, food sales, live music, kids activities, tours of the rescue squad vehicles and facility, information about the rescue squad, and a raffle drawing for a utility trailer. The rescue squad building is located at 22 Wingo Road in Dillwyn; parking will be available. For more information, contact the rescue squad at 434-983-3560.

National Trails Day

National Trails Day is Saturday, June 6, and Holliday Lake State Park invites everyone to join the interpretive staff from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. for a guided nature hike to the Northridge Overlook. In addition to walking some of the trails, participants will learn about the different wildlife in the area, and talk about some of the history of the park. Comfortable clothing and shoes as well as a water bottle are recommended for this event. Please contact the parks for more information or to sign up. Holliday Lake State Park can be reached at 434-248-6308.

Grown Your Own

Join Prince Edward Extension in their demonstration garden on Monday, June 8, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. for step-by-step instruction on growing your own produce. This monthly workshop will include information on organic gardening, building soil health, seed starting and seedling care, attracting bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects, weed control, trellising, water management, companion planting, and square food gardening. The series also includes cooking and food preservation demonstrations to help you get the most from your garden harvest. For more information, call 434-392-4246. All workshops are held at the extension office located at 100 Dominion Drive in Farmville.

Rainbow Rally

Ebenezer Baptist Church will hold a rainbow rally on Sunday, June 7, beginning at 3 p.m. Focused on the theme, “People After God’s Own Heart,” the event will feature the Reverend Mildred Gough and Voices of Zion. All are invited and welcome to attend. The church is located at 2323 Ranson Road in Dillwyn.

4-H Intermediate Congress

Buckingham 4-H youth ages 11 to 13 can sign up to participate in the 4-H Intermediate Congress, held Monday, July 13, through Wednesday, July 15. This special three-day event is designed for youth interested in becoming leaders within 4-H. Participants will enhance their ability to serve in local, district, state, and national 4-H leadership roles with other youth from across the state while participating in the congress at Virginia State University in Petersburg. The cost is $90 per person and includes meals, lodging, insurance, workshop supplies, and a 2015 Intermediate Congress t-shirt. Transportation is not provided. Limited financial assistance is available through Buckingham Extension upon request; contact the office for more information. The deadline for applications is Friday, June 12; the full registration fee is due at the time of registration. For more information and registration, contact Buckingham Extension at 434-969-4261.

Do you have a social or community event for the Buckingham News? Send information and photos to Letitia Montgomery-Rodgers by email at buckinghamherald@gmail.com, call 434-207-8217, or put a paper copy in the post to P.O Box 225, Buckingham, VA 23921.