Greetings 70s Classmates:

The Fourth GCHS 70s Mass Reunion is planned for Friday, October 21st and Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, at Golden Leaf Commons in Emporia, VA.  The theme for the 2022 reunion will be “Continuing to Remember the Past, Embracing the Present, and Looking Forward to the Future.”

In order for the committee to move forward with finalizing plans, we request that you make an early decision about your attendance at this event.  Make plans now to attend by sending in your reunion fee as soon as possible.  We need to move forward with venue deposits, caterer selection, etc.  Committee members’ contact information is included with this correspondence.  We ask that you help us by reaching out to fellow classmates and relatives who we are unable to locate.  If you can please spread the word about this reunion, so we may contact as many former classmates as possible. 

Due to the Covid 19 virus, we will be capping the number of participants this year for the reunion.  We will be following all CDC Guidelines that are in effect at this time.  To ensure your presence, please make your payment early or before September 15, 2022.  We look forward to seeing you.

BUILDING ENTRY

At the present time, a face mask will be required to enter and must be worn at all times, except when eating or drinking.  The committee will provide each paid attendee a N95 mask.  Temperature checks will be performed  and you will need to present your vaccine card.  You will not be allowed to enter the building if you have not paid your fee, have no vaccine card or abnormal temperature.  Please arrive early to give committee members time to get everyone registered in a timely manner.

BRING YOUR OWN BOTTLE (BYOB)

You will be allowed to bring your choice of alcoholic beverage(s) this time.  We ask that you drink responsibly and select a designated driver for the evening.

CLASS PHOTOGRAPHER

The committee has selected a local photographer for class photos on Saturday evening.

CLASSMATE/GUEST FEES

The fee to attend the reunion will be $70 per person or $130.00 per couple.  There will be no separation of fees whether you attend one day (Friday or Saturday) or attend both days (Friday & Saturday).  We appreciate your cooperation with this policy.

HOTELS

Emporia has several hotels to choose from and you are encouraged to make your reservations early.  They have AAA & Military discount prices also that maybe cheaper. The earlier reservations are made the cheaper the price.

Holiday Inn Express               434 336 9999             

Quality Inn                              434 348 8888

Days Inn                                  434 634 9481              $71.95 Standard price

Fairfield Inn & Suites                         838 435 0329              $109 must mention GCHS Reunion

Hampton Inn                           844 202 2664              Queen $116.99 / King $126.00

Sleep Inn                                 434 348 3900              1 Bed $136 / 2 Beds $146

REUNION COMMITTEE

Class of 1970  Roosevelt Sills            201 370 6456            

Class of 1971  Thomas Ross              210 685 6032              Patricia Garner                        434 594 8675

                        Brenda Boone Smith   434 594 2374             

Class of 1972  Angelina Ferby           434 594 7145

Class of 1973  David Hicks                919 608 8875              Ronald Kemp                          570 807 7580 

Class of 1974  Arletha Wood Cain     804 894 0639              Avis Walker Robinson            804 586 7687

Sherry Vaughan          804 833 9995

Class of 1975  Betty Brown               804 721 6546              Deborah Powell Palmer          434 594 5096

                        Alice Cain Randolph  804 986 1051

Class of 1976  Rufus Rawles              757 532 3586              Pam Jones Stewart                 804 837 0625              

Class of 1977  Veronica Powell         434 594 8435             

Class of 1978 

Class of 1979  Brenda Bowie                         757 719 7133              Brenda Hicks                          804 594 1700               

T-SHIRTS/POLO SHIRTS

The committee will not sponsor t-shirts or Polo-styled shirts this year.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, October 21st              Casual Attire                           Class Colors – Green & Gold

6:00 – 7:00                              Registration 

7:00 – 8:00                              Dinner

8:00 – 11:30                            DJ, Fellowship, Fun

Saturday, October 22nd         Semi-Formal Attire                A Night of Elegance                                                                                              

5:00 – 6:00                              Registration*

6:00 – 7:00                              Program

7:00 – 8:00                              Dinner

8:00 – 11:30                            Celebration Begins

        DJ, Fellowship, Fun

                                                Class Pictures

Please Click Here For a Printable Registration Form

RICHMOND – Independence Day traditions include backyard barbecues, festivals, family gatherings and fireworks. To keep all those living, working, visiting and traveling through Virginia safe during the extended holiday weekend, the Virginia State Police is encouraging Virginians to play it smart and plan ahead to ensure everyone on the road is safe and sober.

“Summer days are filled with celebrations, vacations, outdoor festivals and backyard cookouts, but no matter where your plans take you, please make safety your priority,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “With fatal traffic crashes on pace this year to mimic last year’s record number, I urge all Virginians to buckle up, eliminate distractions and never drive buzzed, drunk or under the influence. Together we can make this Independence Day the safest on record!”

If planning to drink alcohol at a July 4 function, plan ahead and arrange a designated driver, use a rideshare service or taxi, or utilize public transportation to be certain you get home safely.  Party hosts are encouraged to serve non-alcoholic beverage options, and to help prevent any guests from drinking and driving home from their event.

As part of its ongoing efforts to increase safety and reduce traffic fatalities on Virginia’s highways during the coming holiday weekend, Virginia State Police will increase patrols from 12:01 a.m. Friday (July 1, 2022) through midnight Monday (July 4, 2022) as part of the Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.). Operation C.A.R.E. is a state-sponsored, national program intended to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries due to impaired driving, speed and failing to wear a seat belt.

During last year’s four-day Independence Day Operation C.A.R.E initiative, there were 12 traffic deaths on Virginia highways. Virginia troopers arrested 61 drivers operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, cited 4,025 speeders and 1,434 reckless drivers, and issued 510 citations to individuals for failing to obey the law and buckle up. Troopers also assisted 1,550 disabled/stranded motorists.

With increased holiday patrols, Virginia State Police also reminds drivers of Virginia’s “Move Over” law, which requires motorists to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped alongside the road. If unable to move over, then drivers are required to cautiously pass the emergency vehicle. The law also applies to workers in vehicles equipped with amber lights.

By Jacqueline Weisgarber

Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Richmond, Virginia

Every July, we take pride in celebrating our nation’s independence.  For nearly 90 years, our programs have helped provide financial independence to millions of hardworking people.  We have useful online tools like the Social Security Statement (Statement) and our benefits estimator tool that help people not yet receiving benefits.  The Statement shows the benefits that you and your family may be entitled to with personalized fact sheets tailored to your age and earnings situation.  The benefits estimator tool allows you to get estimates based on different ages you want to begin receiving benefits.  These tools can help you plan the financial independence you deserve in retirement.

Don’t receive benefits?  You can get the most out of your online experience if you have a personal my Social Security account.    You can:

• Get your Statement instantly.
• Request a replacement Social Security card (in nearly every state and the District of Columbia).
• Find out if you qualify for benefits.
• Appeal a decision we made on your claim.

Already receiving benefits?  If so, you can use your personal my Social Security account to:

• Request a replacement Social Security card (in nearly every state and the District of Columbia).
• Get an instant benefit verification letter for Social Security, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• Start or change your direct deposit. (Social Security beneficiaries only)
• Check your information and benefit amount.
• Change your address. (Social Security beneficiaries only)
• Request a replacement Medicare card.
• Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S instantly for tax season.
• Report your wages if you work and receive disability benefits or SSI.

You can create your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

Our blog at blog.ssa.gov features messages and information direct from our Acting Commissioner and other experts.  You can subscribe and get an email each time we post a new blog so you can stay informed.  From the blog, you can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. 

With so many services and helpful information available online, we are here for you when it’s convenient for you.  Be sure to tell friends and family about all they can do with us from any device at www.ssa.gov.

The Southside Virginia Community College Foundation recently held the 2022 Freddie Reekes Memorial Scholarship Golf Classic at the Lake Gaston Golf Club in Gasburg, VA.   Proceeds from the golf classic, named in memory of a Brunswick county and SVCC legend, Freddie Reekes, are used to support student scholarships.  

Mr. Reekes and Bobby Wrenn were instrumental in establishing this event in 2008 and over the years thousands of dollars have been raised for SVCC students.  

To kick off this years classic, Dr. Quentin R. Johnson, SVCC President, presented Mr. Wrenn with the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) trophy, recognizing his dedication to this event.  

By: Martin Short, Lead Economic Development Specialist & Public Information Officer

Rural communities have experienced challenging economic times with the overall decline in their population, lack of broadband, and many other amenities that metropolitan areas enjoy. In comparison to metropolitan areas, rural communities often do not have a comprehensive ecosystem with business development resources to support startups and small businesses. For this reason, rural communities are sometimes overlooked and underserved. One way to change this is by telling story to the world.

 I recently attended the Brunswick County Business Summit along with other ecosystem stakeholders. The summit centered around discussions on how the county can tell its story more widely and frequently. The main topic of the event was to share that Brunswick County is open for business. Their goal is to build a comprehensive entrepreneurial ecosystem to support startups and existing businesses.

 “The driving force of the event was to tell our story, to sing our song that Brunswick County is the Location of Choice. We are a valuable resource to Southside Virginia, especially to the Tri-Cities area. We are bridging the gap between Richmond and Brunswick. Today's event highlights those partnerships that we have built as we continue to work collaboratively to establish an ecosystem for small businesses in Brunswick County. I invite everyone to contact the Brunswick County Department of Economic Development to learn more about our economic initiatives, ” stated Alfreda Jarrett Reynolds, Director of Economic Development.

 The event was a revelation, and it illuminates some tips for rural communities to consider moving forward. 

1. Craft a message or an elevator speech with a consistent message espousing the communities' brand. 
2. Become a champion and a convener for building an entrepreneurial ecosystem. 
3. Partner with capital providers such as lenders, CDFIs-Community Development Financial Institutions, and the SBA. Access to capital is a vitally important component of growth.
4. Partner with schools to adopt entrepreneurship programs to foster the future.
5. Become a champion and a convener for building entrepreneurial ecosystems and inject a spirit of entrepreneurship into the community to help shape the business culture for

 The SBA has a myriad of resources for rural communities. We value and understand the economic contributions of rural communities. That is the primary reason the SBA wants to help rural communities tell the story! 

 Please visit our rural businesses webpage- Rural businesses (sba.gov). Also, visit the SBA VA District Office to learn more about workshops and learning opportunities at www.sba.gov/va. 

The Brunswick Academy Varsity Baseball team had an outstanding year! They were 17-5 overall and 13-3 in the VCC-Virginia Colonial Conference. They were Regular Season and VCC Champions. They beat SA 12-2 to win the VCC Title. They made it to the Div lll State Semifinals and fell short to Carlisle 5-6. Receiving accolades this season are the following:

Harrison Harper~ VCC Player of the Year, ist Team All-Conference, All Academic, and VCC All tournament MVP, VISAA  Div lll 1st Team All-State

Jackson Smiley~ 1st Team All-Conference, VISAA Div lll 2nd Team All-State

Chris Parrish~1st Team All-Conference

Trey Mitchell~1st Team All-Conference, VCC All-Tournament, VISAA 1st Team All-State

Tommy Landsness~2nd Team All-Conference. VCC All-Tournament Team

Jaiden Phillips~All-Tournament Team

Head Coach Dwayne Farmer-VCC Coach of the Year

L to R front row:Jordan Jackson, Ashton Jackson, Nick Parrish, Matthew Woyer, Dakota Clark, Chris Parrish

EMPORIA, Va. — Michael Roach, son of Michael and Sheila Roach of Emporia, Va., was awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms.

He received one of 15 scholarships given this year to children of Perdue employees and independent contract farmers. Winners were selected based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and community involvement. The $75,000 scholarship program is part of the company’s Delivering Hope To Our Neighbors® initiative focused on improving quality of life and building strong communities.        

Roach will attend Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., to pursue a degree in forestry. Ranked 13th in his class, he graduated from Southampton High School in Courtland, Va., with a weighted GPA of 4.31. 

Roach was an eight-year member of Boy Scouts, earning the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout.

“One of the best decisions of my life was to continue with the Boy Scouts,” said Roach. “I have made so many friends along the way and have learned many things that will help me throughout life. For three years, I was the leader of my troop and the leadership skills I acquired will stay with me throughout my life. My dad was my Scout leader, and I would like to follow in his footsteps and be a Scout leader in the future.”

Roach wishes to pursue a career in forestry.

“Where I live there are plenty of timber companies around,” said Roach. “I would like to stay close to home and I can see myself working at one of these places so that I can stay around the community that I love. I am ready for my adventure to begin with college and becoming more educated in the forestry field.”

(RICHMOND, Va.) — All Virginians from the age of six months and older are eligible now to get a free COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), following the unanimous recommendations on June 18 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna pediatric vaccines for the youngest of children.

The CDC’s independent panel of experts, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months through 4 years and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months through 5 years. The CDC director gave her final approval to the recommendation later that afternoon.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is a three-dose series with the first two doses administered 3 weeks apart and a third dose at least two months after the second dose. The Moderna vaccine is a two-dose series administered 4 weeks apart.

VDH would like to stress to parents that providers can choose which vaccine to offer to their patients. Some providers may choose to offer both vaccines, while others may decide only to offer one. Parents should follow up with their pediatrician or other healthcare provider for specific information about the vaccines they’ll be offering.

Because VDH has been planning for the expansion of vaccine eligibility and availability for several months, families will have many options for where to get their children a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination sites may include:

• Pediatric offices
• Family practice offices
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
• Retail pharmacies for children ages 3 years and older
• Local Health Departments

The following is a statement from Virginia’s State Vaccination Coordinator and Director of the Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Immunization Christy Gray, MPH:

“With the CDC’s endorsement of the recommendation of its independent panel of advisers that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can be safely administered to children 4 years of age and younger down to 6 months of age and the Moderna vaccine to children 5 years of age down to 6 months, one of the final fronts in the battle against COVID-19 has opened up.

“We at VDH are pleased to begin offering this vaccine to parents who want to protect their youngest children from severe illness and hospitalization due to this virus. There are a variety of venues open to Virginia parents to vaccinate their children, including community vaccination events set up by local health departments, pharmacies and, of course, pediatrician’s offices. We urge parents to consult with their child’s healthcare provider about vaccination.

“VDH is excited that parents have this opportunity and are empowered to protect their youngest children against this virus.”

I discovered this recipe when a friend made it a few years ago. When I asked for it, I was given a photocopy of the hand-written index card. It really is super simple, and just as tasty as a Key Lime Pie. For those of us with acid issues, the extra Graham Crackers help a great deal in cutting the acidic lime juice.

Icebox Cakes can really be made with any custard and any cookie or Graham Crackers, and they are a great dessert for those days when you have absolutely no desire to turn on the oven (you know, days when the heat index is 119 degrees).

For a great garnish, try making some candied lime slices for each slice of the Icebox Cake, I am including a recipe for those as well.

While this recipe uses no special tools, a square springform pan is great.

Whisk together first 3 ingredients in a heavy saucepan.

Whisk together egg yolks and half-and-half in a bowl.

Temper the egg yolk mixture before adding slowly to the remaining sugar mixture; bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly.

Boil, whisking constantly, 1 minute and remove from heat.

Beat in butter and zest until butter melts.

Gradually stir in juice just until incorporated. Pour into a heatproof bowl, and place bowl in an ice bath. Let stand, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes or until custard is cold and thickens slightly.

Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square pan with plastic wrap, allowing 4 inches to extend over sides (you may need two sheets if you are not using wide plastic wrap). Place 9 graham crackers, with just the slightest bit of space between each, in a single layer in bottom of pan to form a large square. The crackers will not completely cover bottom.

Spoon about 1/3 of the cold custard over crackers; spread to edge of crackers. Repeat layers 3 times with crackers custard, with the last layer being custard; top with remaining 9 crackers. Pull sides of plastic wrap tightly over cake. Wrap entire pan tightly with plastic wrap and freeze in pan at least 8 hours.

Remove outer layer of plastic wrap, remove overlapping plastic wrap from top of cake and invert cake a platter; discard inner layer of plastic wrap. Cover loosely; let stand 1 hour.

Top cake with cream whipped to soft peaks with the powdered sugar.

Candied Lime Slices

Set up an ice bath and a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined parchment paper. Spray baking sheet lightly with cooking spray.

Using a mandolin or very sharp knife, cut limes into ⅛-inch slices. Discard seeds and the ends.

Add water to a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat and add lime slices, stir gently until they are softened, about 1 minute. Remove lime slices from water and quickly transfer to ice bath.

Add sugar and 1 cup of water to a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. You may need to stir gently to dissolve sugar. When mixture begins to boil, reduce heat to a simmer add lime slices, in a single layer. Simmer gently until rinds are translucent, this will take 45 to 60 minutes.

Carefully transfer lime slices to the wire rack to cool and set for at least 1 hour or until the slices are no longer sticky and have hardened slightly.

Today Marks the Second Federally Recognized Juneteenth Holiday

Today, Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) issued the following statement in honor of Juneteenth:

“Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, recognized as the oldest celebration to mark the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865, Union Forces arrived in Galveston, Texas, to tell enslaved African Americans that the Civil War had ended, and they were free.

“For years, people across our nation have celebrated Juneteenth and the progress and achievements of the African American community. Last year, I was proud to vote for and help pass the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act to officially designate June 19th as a federal holiday. I had the opportunity to visit the White House to watch President Joe Biden sign this historic legislation into law. 

“On the second federally recognized Juneteenth holiday, we reflect on our nation’s sordid history with slavery, acknowledge and commemorate the progress that has been made, and renew our commitment to advancing equity and justice in all aspects of American life. I will continue my efforts at the federal level to safeguard voting rights, dismantle long-standing inequities that disproportionately impact communities of color, and ensure a more equitable future for all Americans.

“Together, we will continue the fight for more comprehensive protections under the law. I wish you and your families a reflective and meaningful Juneteenth celebration.”

Thursday evening (June 16) state police were called to investigate a single vehicle crash on Route 35 (Jerusalem Plank Road), south of Route 626 (Neblett Mill Road).

Preliminary investigations reveal that at approximately 10:28 PM, the driver of a 2005 Honda Accord, Jonathan L. Myrick, was traveling southbound on Route 35 at a high rate of speed. Myrick lost control of the vehicle, ran off the roadway, overcorrected, causing the vehicle to run off the road and overturned several times, landing in a ditch. Myrick died upon impact. It is unknown at this time if alcohol was a contributing factor. Myrick was wearing his safety belt at the time of the crash. 

Next of kin has been made for the deceased; 37 year old Jonathan Lee Myrick of the 29000 block of Delaware Road, Franklin, Virginia.

RICHMOND, VA – Today, Governor Glenn Youngkin was joined by Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun and Virginia Tech President Tim Sands to announce a public-private partnership uniting industry, government, and academia to drive talent development and increased labor force participation in Virginia.

The partnership builds upon Boeing’s $50 million, multi-year commitment that helped jump-start the development of Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus, which offers a new model for graduate education in computer science and engineering, and aims to create the most diverse technology campus in the United States. 

Boeing became the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus’ first foundational partner in 2021 to broaden its technology focus across Aerospace & Defense applications, bolstering Virginia as a global innovation hub. The campus will become an internationally recognized research center for Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Software, Wireless Communications and Intelligent Interfaces.

Governor Youngkin also announced the formation of the Boeing Center for Veteran Transition and Military Families on Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus, which will work in concert with the Commonwealth’s Veterans and Defense Affairs Secretariat. The new center will be a key part of his plan to establish a statewide network of resources for Veterans and their families. This initiative includes the creation of an integrated, best-in-class digital hub that seamlessly connects Veterans and their families to services and benefits provided across the Commonwealth. The State has also committed employees from the Department of Veterans Services to staff the Center on Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus. 

“Boeing’s recent announcement to move its headquarters to Virginia and reaffirm its commitment to building the next generation of tech talent is a timely development for the Commonwealth, and is made more exciting by their extensive partnership with Virginia Tech,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “The relocation of a world-class company like Boeing to Virginia is testament to the wealth of talent and human capital in our state. Their pledge to create the Boeing Center for Veteran Transition and Military Families ensures that the Commonwealth and its businesses continue to invest in diverse career pathways for veterans and students alike, all the while helping businesses thrive.”

“We know that Virginia and Northern Virginia particularly have a high concentration of service members and their families. When separating service members look for their next career step, we want them to choose Virginia. We are committed to making Virginia the best choice for Veterans and their spouses to live, work, and raise a family. This statewide network of resources and connectivity is a step in the right direction to make that a reality,” said Secretary of Defense and Veterans Affairs Craig Crenshaw.

As part of the Boeing-Virginia Tech partnership, the world renowned Aerospace & Defense company has committed to providing student scholarships, facilitating recruitment of world-class faculty, funding K-12 STEM pathway programs, and supporting programs for non-traditional undergraduates, including veterans, to enroll in its state of the art programs.

“I applaud Boeing for their long-term commitment to the Commonwealth and investments in Virginia’s human capital,” said Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera. “This partnership in K-12 and higher education will further develop our talent pool to ensure we bolster Virginia's current workforce while also strengthening the pathways for our increasingly diverse citizenry to be prepared for the knowledge economy. Virginians will reap the benefits of this government-corporate-academic collaboration for generations.”

“Boeing has a long, proud history of supporting veterans and their families during and after their service. We’re also a leading employer of service members, with veterans representing more than 15% of our workforce. So we’re honored to join Virginia and Virginia Tech to build on Boeing’s commitment to veterans with this Center for Veteran Transition & Military Families,” said Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun. “This initiative will unlock new career opportunities for veterans and their families and help develop leading technical talent while affirming our continued investment in Northern Virginia.”

“Virginia Tech has a long history of successful partnerships with Boeing and the Commonwealth, and we look forward to working with them to provide a home for this important initiative for veterans at the Innovation Campus,” said Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. “We know veterans bring unique talents and abilities to our campus, and the commonwealth’s workforce.” 

Boeing, Virginia Tech, and Governor Youngkin made the announcement today at an event at Boeing’s office in Arlington, VA.

RICHMOND, VA – Today, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced the release of an extension to several nationwide waivers to help providers in the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to continue to meet the nutritional needs of child and adult participants during the public health emergency caused by COVID-19.

CACFP is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers.

The extension now allows these waivers to remain in effect through June 30, 2023.

The following waiver requests provide the following information:

• This flexibility applies to all CACFP entities impacted by COVID-related supply chain disruptions and are unable to provide a complete, reimbursable meal.
• It is expected that CACFP entities document any changes to their menus caused by COVID -related supply chain disruptions issue(s); i.e. delivery delays, product unavailability, etc. State agencies must also document instances where flexibilities are provided; as appropriate.
• States should continue to encourage their CACFP entities to report any impacts to services associated with COVID-related supply chain disruptions and forward to their MARO state desk contact.

The waivers include:

• Non-Congregate Meal Service [42 U.S.C 1753(b)(1)(A) and 7 CFR 226.19(b)(6)(iii)] – this waiver allows national school lunch programs, including the seamless summer option, school breakfast program and CACFP operators to provide non-congregate meals.
• Parent/Guardian Meal Pick-Up [7 CFR 226.2] – this waiver allows national school lunch programs, including the seamless summer option, school breakfast program and CACFP operators providing non-congregate meals during COVID-19 to distribute meals to parents or guardians to take home to their children.
• Meal Service Times [7 CFR 226.20(k)] – this waiver allows national school lunch programs, including the seamless summer option, school breakfast program and CACFP operators to serve meals outside of standard meal times.
• State Agency Onsite Monitoring Visits [7 CFR 226.6(b)(1) and 226.6(m)(6)] – this waiver waives the requirement for state agencies to conduct onsite visits and monitoring of CACFP programs, but program operations should continue to be monitored offsite.
• Sponsoring Organization Onsite Monitoring Visits [7 CFR 226.16(d)(4)(iii)] – this waiver waives the requirement for sponsoring organizations to conduct onsite visits and monitoring of CACFP programs, but program operations should continue to be monitored offsite.

For more information about the CACFP program, please call the help desk at (877) 618-7282 or email the Division of Community Nutrition at  CACFP@VDH.Virginia.gov.

Brunswick Academy Varsity Soccer finished 4th in the VCC Conference. The Vikings hosted #5 seed KFS in the VCC quarterfinal game and lost out 2-1. They had a fantastic season and were coached by Sigmund Jones and Harrison Jamison.

L to R:Brady Burke- 2nd Team All-Conference, Nathan Love- 1st Team All-Conference, Berkeley Jones- 1st Team All-Conference, and Jacky Zhu-All-Academic

MOTORISTS URGED TO BE PATIENT AND DRIVE DISTRACTION FREE

RICHMOND – With Memorial Day weekend traffic on Virginia roadways expected to be close to 2019 numbers, being patient and alert are crucial for the safety of everyone on the road. Virginia State Police (VSP) is encouraging motorists to slow down, ditch distractions, buckle up and enjoy the holiday safely.

“Virginians need to make traffic safety a priority every day, and with a large number of travelers expected on the road this Memorial Day weekend, as traffic increases so should their vigilance and patience,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Memorial Day weekend is filled with celebrations, vacations, outdoor festivals and backyard cookouts, which is why we need all drivers to comply with posted speed limits, be patient and alert, buckle up, and never drive buzzed or drunk.”

Beginning Friday, May 27, 2022, VSP will join law enforcement around the country for Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E), a state-sponsored, national program intended to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries due to impaired driving, speed and failing to wear a seat belt. The 2022 Memorial Day statistical counting period begins at 12:01 a.m. on May 27 and continues through midnight Monday, May 30, 2022. All available state police troopers and supervisors will be on patrol through the holiday weekend to help keep traffic moving safely and responsibly.

This year, the Memorial Day Operation C.A.R.E. initiative falls within the annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign. This helps to further emphasize the lifesaving value of seat belts for every person in a vehicle.

During the 2021 Memorial Day Operation C.A.R.E. initiative, 15 people lost their lives in traffic crashes on Virginia roadways. During the combined Memorial Day C.A.R.E. initiative and the annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign, which ran from 12:01 a.m. May 24 through midnight May 31, Virginia troopers cited 5,553 speeders and 1,818 reckless drivers, and arrested 79 impaired drivers. In addition, 740 individuals were cited for seat belt violations and 281 felony arrests were made. Virginia State Police also assisted 2,302 disabled motorists.

With the increased patrols, VSP also reminds drivers of Virginia’s “Move Over” law, which requires motorists to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped alongside the road. If unable to move over, then drivers are required to cautiously pass the emergency vehicle. The law also applies to workers in vehicles equipped with amber lights.

By: Martin Short, Lead Economic Development Specialist & Public Information Officer

Operating a small business comes with a lot of variables and considerations for the owner. Some business owners are challenged by having to wear so many hats, address internal challenges, and most importantly, win customers. These challenges often cause business owners to work in their business and not on it. When this happens, this often causes internal problems, it prevents acceleration and growth. Also, the owner ends up so engrossed in the internals that they lose sight of treating their business as a business. 

Here are some valuable best practices that can help make the road smooth.

1. When starting a new business, open a business bank account. Too many small business owners operate business income through their personal bank accounts.
2. Establish a comprehensive recordkeeping system. A comprehensive recordkeeping system will track all your income, expenses, and receipts. 
3. Learn the requirements and expectations of the IRS.

Operating a business involves keeping good financial records and complying with local, state, and federal laws. In addition, this practice can be of great benefit when applying for a loan. Clarity of records helps the loan officer and underwriters assess your application and repayment capacity. Most importantly, a financial system will enable you to look at your business immediately and tell you about the business’s financial health. 

The IRS offers assistance for small business owners relating to business compliance matters. Connecting with the IRS and learning their requirements can save you a lot of time and trouble. In addition, the SBA offers a dynamic learning platform to help understand basic business practices. Also, the SBA offers business technical assistance through a variety of resource partners. One can access resource partners near them by utilizing local assistance on the SBA’s website.

Keep in mind, that your business is a separate entity from you, therefore treat your business as a business. Visit the SBA-VA Richmond District Office to learn more about workshops and learning opportunities at www.sba.gov/va. 

Benchmark Bankshares, Inc. is pleased to announce that Benchmark Community Bank has been named to the list of Top 200 Community Banks in the United States for the 16^th consecutive year. Benchmark Bankshares, Inc. is the holding company for Benchmark Community Bank, headquartered in Kenbridge, VA.

“It is truly an honor to be named as one of the top 200 community banks out of almost 5,000 community banks across the nation,” said Benchmark President/CEO Jay Stafford. “That we have received this honor annually since 2007 is a real testament to our employees who remain dedicated to Benchmark’s banking incorporated by our founders who envisioned this bank half a century ago.”

The Top 200 Community Banks list is published annually in the May issue of American Banker magazine, the recognized leader in financial industry publications. Eligibility for the Top 200 list is based on a three-year average of a bank’s return on average equity for 2019-2021. Of the nearly 4,750 publicly traded community banks in the United States with asset size below $2 billion, 438 institutions met the criteria for consideration this year.

Benchmark Community Bank has been named to list annually since 2007. For 2021, Benchmark  was ranked #50 in the United States, #2 among eight Virginia banks, and fourth among eight North Carolina banks named to the list.

Benchmark Community Bank is the sole subsidiary of Benchmark Bankshares, Inc., which trades under the symbol BMBN on the OTC Pink marketplace. Founded in 1971, the bank has 17 branches throughout Southside Virginia and northern North Carolina. To learn more about Benchmark Community Bank, you are invited to visit the bank’s website at www.bcbonline.com. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

Couple with stillborn child donates four CuddleCots to rural hospitals.

Haley and Robby Emerson donated a CuddleCot to Joanne Paynter and Sarah Carlton of VCU Health CMH's Garland Birthing Center.

It was devastating. You plan for a baby for nine months, posting progress on social media, celebrating with baby showers, and then all of that is ripped away from you. Every parents’ nightmare had come true for Robby and Haley Emerson of Danville, Virginia. Sydney Amelia Emerson was stillborn on March 3.

Just two months later, the grieving parents donated a CuddleCot to VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital. For the families that choose to use it, the little bassinette cools the deceased baby’s temperature to extend time to spend with their baby as part of the closure process. The Emersons’ GoFundMe page raised enough for four CuddleCots, which they are in the process of donating to smaller area hospitals that otherwise couldn’t afford the equipment.

“It was crazy,” Robby Emerson explained. “People we didn’t know were donating. It’s the good side of social media.”

“It restored our faith in humanity,” Haley Emerson added.

They didn’t have the luxury of a CuddleCot where they delivered and wanted to make sure that didn’t happen to anyone else. The cot has an engraved plaque that memorializes Sydney Amelia Emerson, letting new parents who go through this tragedy know they’re not in this alone.

“You’re taking a deep hurt and making something positive out of it,” said Joanne Paynter, the nursing director at the Garland Birthing Center at VCU Health CMH. “This will make a big difference in the lives of those who need it.”

This is no small gift. Each cot costs around $3,000. The couple plans to reopen the donations on Sydney Amelia Emerson’s birthday each March.

Stillbirths account for 1 in 160 pregnancies and sometimes the cause is unknown. VCU Health has resources to help parents experiencing pregnancy loss.

Scott Burnette plans to retire at the end of 2022

Scott Burnette, president of VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital in South Hill, Virginia, has announced his intention to retire at the end of this calendar year.

Scott Burnette, president of VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital in South Hill, Virginia, has announced his intention to retire at the end of this calendar year.

Over the course of his remarkable career, Scott has logged more than 40 years of service in health care administration and operations. He has served as president of Community Memorial Hospital since 1999. He oversaw the affiliation with VCU Health in 2014. Under his leadership, they opened a brand-new inpatient facility in 2017. It is the first new hospital facility in South Hill since the original hospital opened in 1954.

During his VCU Health tenure and with strong support from the community and his team, CMH constructed a state-of-the-art Hendrick Oncology and Rehabilitation facility. Strong donor support also enabled CMH and our Massey Cancer Center to open the Solari Radiation Therapy Center - the only radiation oncology facility in south-central Virginia.

Along with the new CMH facility, VCU Health and community donors made possible the construction of a modern, multi-specialty clinic that today houses more than 21 physician and dental specialty clinics to extend high-quality care to CMH’s rural service area. In 2016, CMH achieved designation as the region’s only Certified Primary Stroke Center.

During his tenure, the hospital received national recognition for its initiatives in patient safety, quality and patient satisfaction. Before joining CMH, Scott served as President/CEO at Effingham Hospital in Springfield, Georgia. Previously, he was a vice-president at Lynchburg General Hospital, a Division of Centra Health in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he worked for 14 years.

Scott has been very active in federal and state legislative advocacy representing the concerns of health care organizations, for which he received recognition from the American Hospital Association. He served 10 years on the Board of the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association and is a past chairman. He also served as a Delegate to the American Hospital Association’s Regional Policy Board. He was appointed by former Governor Warner to the Virginia Board of Health in 2004, was reappointed by Governor Kaine in 2008, and served until 2010 when he was asked by Dr. Bill Hazel, then-Secretary of Health and Human Resources of Virginia, to serve on the Virginia Health Reform Initiative Advisory Council. Scott also served on then Lt. Governor Ralph Northam’s task force on Health Care Quality and Payment Reform. He is currently a board member and Treasurer for the Virginia Health Catalyst.

Scott is very active in the community. He is a member of the Southern Virginia Region 3 GO Virginia Council (a legislated economic development initiative), the South Hill Industrial Development Authority and supports many economic development activities, as well as community organizations and events. At one point, he served as president of the South Hill Chamber of Commerce.

It is a testament to Scott’s professionalism and concern for his community that he is announcing his plans months before his actual retirement date, so leadership has time to recruit a worthy successor.

Throughout Scott’s long and distinguished career – the decades prior to his joining VCU Health up to today – he has served his teams and community with dedication and persistence. The health system appreciates his service to CMH, to the South Hill community, the Commonwealth of Virginia and American health care.

With the start of hurricane season officially upon us, it is more important than ever for residents and small businesses to remember that the best course of action to limit damage from natural disasters is preparing before the disaster hits. Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, the voice for America’s 32.5 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, underscored this critical point and the need for equity, mitigation, and preparedness efforts as part of the annual Hurricane Preparedness and Actions briefing for President Biden. During her tenure, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has been at the forefront of ensuring small businesses, nonprofits, as well as individual homeowners and renters impacted by natural disasters around the nation have the support and recovery relief that they need, and the tools to build resilience.

Natural disasters are not just more devastating; they are also coming faster, more frequently, and are often rapidly changing in their complexity and scope. In 2020, the United States suffered 22 separate billion-dollar disasters —the most in our history— but experts in the space expect that number to continue to climb. Fighting climate change and preparing America to adapt to its impacts has been and will remain a priority for the Biden-Harris Administration - and supporting that readiness is a critical component of the SBA’s work under Administrator Guzman.

That is why the SBA is ensuring its products and services are simple and flexible enough to meet small businesses where they are and help them prepare, manage and recover from the growing disaster threats, including pandemics, cybersecurity and increased natural disasters due to climate changes. 

The SBA’s Programs That Support Communities Impacted by Disasters Have Expanded and Scaled in the Face of New Challenges.

• In the past year, the SBA approved more than $2 billion to help residents and businesses across all 50 states and five territories recover from natural and other non-pandemic related physical disasters, including multiple hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, all of which have been rising in frequency and severity at significant physical, human, and economic costs.

With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting communities and economies across the globe, the SBA’s tireless civil servants were called upon to expand into new areas to help small businesses stay afloat. Two of the critical SBA programs funded in part by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), provided a lifeline to millions of small businesses across America.

• Through COVID EIDL, more than $378 billion was put directly into the hands of over 3.9 million entrepreneurs from our hardest-hit sectors. The COVID EIDL Advance Programs put an additional $7.6 billion, approximately, in grant funds. And the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program helped save nearly 13,000 businesses in the arts industry, collectively awarding them more than $14.2 billion.  Additionally, over $800 billion was distributed through the Paycheck Protection Program and $28.6 billion through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
• As of June 1, 2022, SBA personnel are responding to two open Presidential disaster declarations, 10 SBA Administrative disaster declarations, six Governor’s certifications, 108 Secretary of Agriculture declarations, and one Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.

As the Anchors of Our Communities, Small Businesses Rely on Resilient Neighborhoods for their Customers and their Employees, and the SBA’s Disaster Relief Loan Programs Help Communities Recover Swiftly.

• Assisting with disaster recovery in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the five U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the SBA’s disaster loan program is the only federal assistance program that provides private property owners an affordable way to mitigate disaster impacts and protect their homes, families, businesses, employees, and livelihoods against the next disaster. Funds received from SBA disaster loans can be used by property owners to build back better, stronger, and more resilient.

• SBA disaster loan funds can be used to cover insurance deductibles, refinance an existing mortgage, pay for mitigation and protective upgrades, relocate to a safer and lower risk area, and more. And low, fixed interest rates amortized over 30 years for low monthly payments offer an affordable way for property owners to fully repair/replace their disaster losses not covered by other recoveries.

 Additionally, borrowers using SBA’s physical disaster loan programs are also eligible for up to 20 percent of their total physical losses, as verified by SBA, to incorporate additional protective measures to mitigate future damage and losses against the next disaster.

 SBA also offers non-pandemic related economic injury disaster loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations located in a declared disaster area rebuild after suffering a substantial loss.

 Preparation is key. By helping small businesses, homeowners, renters, and others shift their focus to preparedness, we can help reduce the impacts of future disasters. A few ways businesses can get ready for this year’s hurricane season:

 Establish a communications plan and subscribe to local emergency management alerts.

• Protect vital information in the cloud.
• Review insurance coverage, consider business interruption insurance, and take a video inventory of property and assets.
• Complete facilities and operations planning; consider e-commerce solutions or temporary alternative locations to resume operations quickly and evaluate supply chains.
• Engage in pre-disaster contract development opportunities.
• Practice and test your plan with managers and staff.
   

Supporting Mitigation, Equity, and Resiliency in an Age of Growing Disaster Threats.

As the SBA assesses the enormous impact of its COVID relief programs on saving millions of small businesses, the Agency is taking this opportunity to reimagine how it provides disaster assistance and how our nation’s needs may evolve in the face of these worsening disasters, including transforming how we do business and show up to deliver a positive customer experience to residents and small business owners in their time of need.

Through greater emphasis on business preparedness operations for our small businesses, equitable distribution of disaster funding and attention to recovery efforts in historically underserved communities, and by improving upon current partnerships while identifying new collaboration opportunities with on-the-ground organizations, the SBA is uniquely positioned to help our small businesses, homeowners, renters, and nonprofits weather any storm.

Small Business Resilience is Strengthened by SBA’s Core Small Business Programs.

Critical to building resilient communities and ensuring swift recovery is helping small businesses bolster their financial resources before a disaster strikes by taking advantage of the SBA’s various core programs. This means ensuring entrepreneurs have access to capital and standard lending programs, as well as assistance growing their revenues by getting their products online or into global markets and accessing federal contracting opportunities, often by connecting them to one of the Agency’s newly launched Community Navigators, hundreds of Field Offices, or thousands of Resource Partners - including Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE chapters and Veterans Business Ownership Centers - for mentoring, training, and assistance in navigating government resources.

Questions about disaster loans can be emailed to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or directed to SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (7-1-1 for the deaf and hard of hearing). Information on SBA’s core lending programs, revenue growth opportunities and technical assistance can be found at SBA.gov.