On Jan. 25, 18 students participated from Buckingham County Elementary School and Buckingham County Middle Schools (BCMS) at the BCMS hosted spelling bee. Those participating from the elementary school were: Cody Banton, Elizabeth Dunkum, Journee Johnson, Alexis McFadden, Quadir Minor, William Motley, Madison Pleasant, Justin Whorley and Dillon Taylor. Middle school participants included Jaylen Anderson, DeMorris Eubanks, Liana Fridel, Martrell Glover, Damorrius Holman, Zackary Jamerson, Quanteaz Stanton, Emmalee Woods and Chance Woodson. Chance Woodson was the winner with Jaylen Anderson placing as runner up. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all who participated.

Peter Francisco Soil and Water Conservation District is providing four full scholarships to high school students in Buckingham and Cumberland Counties to Youth

Conservation Camp from July 8-14 at Virginia Tech. Applications are due by April 30.

For more information on Youth Conservation Camp, visit: www. peterfranciscoswcd. org/youth-conservation-camp. The District is also providing four $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors and undergraduate college students pursuing a course curriculum related to the environment and/or conservation. A scholarship application can be obtained at: www.peterfranciscoswcd.org/scholarships. Deadline for submission is March 2. For more information or questions, contact Elise Corbin, conservation education coordinator, at (434) 983-7923 or elise. corbin@vaswcd.org.

Spreading God’s Gifts will be hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Dillwyn. Brenda Absher will bring special music. Dinner will include roast beef, baked potato, green beans, fruit salad, rolls, dessert and beverage. Admission is by donation. Everyone is welcome. This mission of this organization is to help those in need. Come out and support this worthwhile cause. For more information, call (434) 983-2269.

Fruit tree specialists from Virginia Tech will be extending their Fruit Tree School to Southside again this year. Buckingham residents are invited to the Southside Commercial Fruit Tree School to be held on Feb. 14 from 8 a.m. — noon at the Southern Piedmont AREC in Blackstone. Topics to include an IPM refresher and recent pest issues in Virginia tree fruits; spray bulletin update on entomology; pictures and issues sent to a tree fruit pathologist; spray bulletin disease changes update; an overview of crop load management of apples, frost protection methods and apple rootstocks and invasive species of the spotted lantern fly. Pre-register via the Nottoway Extension Office at (434) 645-9315 or email hmccann@vt.edu.

Central Virginia Gold Prospectors will hold its next meeting on Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. at the VFW Hall in Buckingham.

New Hope Baptist Church will host its annual Black History celebration on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 3 p.m. This year’s celebration will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Special guests will be the student winners of the Carter G. Woodson essay contest. The Buckingham Community Choir will render music. The evening will conclude with a fellowship hour. All are invited to this special celebration to honor native son, Dr. Carter G. Woodson. The Rev. Donnie W. Brown serves as pastor.

SHERRI WISE is the columnist for the Buckingham Bulletin. She can be reached at wise.buckingham@gmail. com or (434) 983-1393.