Rappahannock Community College Offers Summer Enrichment Classes in History and Pickleball

This June, Rappahannock Community College (RCC) invites community members to learn something new and stay active with a lineup of engaging, affordable classes. From exploring Virginia’s pivotal role in American independence to getting in on the fast-growing sport of pickleball, these short courses offer something for a variety of interests.

In anticipation of the 250th anniversary of American independence, RCC will offer “Virginia in 1776” for those interested in history. Held at Historic Christ Church & Museum, this three-session course will take place Wednesdays, June 3, 10, and 17, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The class will examine Virginia’s critical role during 1776, highlighting influential figures such as Richard Henry Lee, George Mason, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. Participants will explore key events including the Second Continental Congress and the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and Virginia Declaration of Rights.

The course is led by Robert Teagle, Executive Director of the Foundation for Historic Christ Church, who brings decades of experience and expertise in early Virginia history.

For those looking to stay active, RCC is also offering Beginner and Intermediate Pickleball classes at the RCC Warsaw Campus tennis courts.

The Beginner Pickleball class will meet Mondays and Fridays, June 1, 5, 8, and 12, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Designed for first-time adult players, this course covers rules, terminology, and fundamental skills, with plenty of time for practice. Equipment is provided, and class size is limited to 10 participants. Instructor Paul Shrieves brings a passion for the sport and decades of professional experience.

The Intermediate Pickleball class will be held Mondays and Fridays, June 15, 19, 22, and 26, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Participants will build on foundational skills, focusing on stroke development, strategy, and court positioning. The class is led by Will Cox, an experienced competitor who has earned top honors in regional tournaments.

Each class is $35, making them an affordable way to learn, connect, and engage with the community. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged.

Register at www.rappahannock.edu/rill or call 804-333-6707.

Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism Events

BEGINNER BELLY DANCE (NEW DROP IN OPTION)

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Belly Dance for ages 16 and older on Mondays at Whitcomb Lodge at Beaverdam Park from 7:00-8:00 pm, now through June 29th.  Beginners class to learn basics or a great place to brush up on your techniques to prepare for the Intermediate Belly Dance session in July!  The fee is $65 for the 8-week session or $9 per drop-in session.

GYMNASTICS TRIALS (NEW PROGRAM)

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Gymnastics Trials as a one-time experience to help determine your child’s interest before enrolling in a full session. Sessions offered at Botetourt and Achilles. For ages 3-16. Check our website for full list of offerings!

FREE FLOW YOGA

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Free Flow Yoga on Tuesdays in May from 5:30-6:45 PM at Whitcomb Lodge.  The fee is $40 for the whole month or $9 per drop-in session.

SENIOR BINGO 

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Bingo for ages 50 and over on Wednesday, May 27th from 10:30 am to Noon at the Stewart Building.  Winnings are prizes, no cash.  The fee is $10 and the deadline to register is Tuesday, May 26th. 

CAPE CHARLES BEST YEARS TRIP

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Best Years Trip to Cape Charles on Thursday, June 4 from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.  Spend the day on your own strolling the streets and have lunch along the way.  The fee is $35 and the deadline to register is Thursday, May 28th. 

YOUTH TEE BALL & WIFFLE BALL 2026

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Youth Tee Ball and Wiffle Ball for ages 3 – 7 in June. Practices and games will be at Ark and Abingdon Parks. Please see our website for more information on ages, dates and fees!

KID’S FREE FISHING DAY

The Department of Wildlife Resources & Beaverdam Park are sponsoring a free day of fishing for children at Beaverdam Park on Sunday, June 7th from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.  No freshwater fishing licenses are required statewide during the first weekend in June. We will have a Conservation Police Officer on site; they will provide Fishing Poles and Bait to registered participants. After fishing, lunch will be provided by the Abingdon Ruritan Club. This program is free, but we ask that you register online by Sunday, May 31st.

JUNE BEST YEARS SOCIAL  

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring the June Best Years Social for ages 50 and over on Tuesday, June 2nd from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Beaverdam Park’s Whitcomb Lodge. Come on by and enjoy light refreshments and a great time socializing, learning about upcoming trips and helping us get the word out about these trips! If you’d like to help with refreshments, please send an email to ekeefer@gloucesterva.info or call (804) 693-1264. Free event.  

KID’S SALTWATER FISHING WORKSHOP

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Kid’s Saltwater Fishing Workshop for ages 12 – 15 on Saturday, June 13th from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Machicomoco State Park. The fee is $15 and the deadline to register is Saturday, June 6th.

KID’S SUMMER FISHING TOURNAMENT

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Kid’s Spring Fishing Tournament for ages 5 – 15 on Sunday, June 14th from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Beaverdam Park. Prizes will be awarded based on age divisions and shore/boat divisions. The fee is $15 and the deadline to register is Sunday, June 7th.

SPRING 2026 ADULT PICK-UP FIELD HOCKEY

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Adult Pick-Up Field Hockey on Sundays from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Old Page Grounds Field Hockey Fields until May 10 with ongoing registration and drop-ins welcome. For ages 18+. Please see our website for more information!

ADULT COURT COLLECTIVE: PICK-UP BASKETBALL

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Adult Pick-Up Basketball on Friday evenings in June and July at Ark Park with ongoing registration and drop-ins welcome. For ages 18+. Please see our website for more information!

PARK AFTER DARK

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Park After Dark on Friday, June 26 from 8:00-11:00 pm at Beaverdam park’s Main Entrance (only).  Participate in fishing, boating, biking or hiking after hours.  All activities require head lamps.  The fee is $5 and all rental fees apply; the deadline is Friday, June 19th.

PLAY ALL DAY VA

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is celebrating the longest day of the year as part of the Play All Day VA initiative by the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21 at Beaverdam Park. Enjoy many activities for kids and adults. Activities include painting rocks, making wooden ornaments, and creating a Father's Day craft. You can also enjoy landscape painting, terrarium making, and more!  This program is free, but we ask that you register online by Saturday, June 20th.

DOLPHIN WATCHING

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Best Years Trip of Virginia Beach for Dolphin Watching on Wednesday, July 8th from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.  The fee is $70 and the deadline to register is Wednesday,  June 24th.

For more information on these and other activities call PRT at 804-693-2355, email prt@gloucesterva.info or stop by our office 6382 Main Street.  For online registration visit https://gloucesterva.info/civicrec

The Reedville Fishermen's Museum is now open for the season, with four new exhibits on view through 2026. The museum is full of artifacts and memorabilia telling the story of the Northern Neck's historic commercial fishing history. Outside on campus are several classic boats, at the dock and on shore. Activities being planned for the year include concerts, skipjack cruises, family boat building, golf cart party, fireworks, crabbing for kids, antique boat show and holiday celebrations.

Three new exhibits are in the Watermen's Gallery: Images by Kodachrome, a photographic tribute to the area's watermen by Mike Fontaine; Northern Neck Master Gardeners' Shoreline Evaluation Program; and Smith Point Sea Rescue.

Chesapeake Bay Quilts by Logan O'Bier are on exhibit in the museum lobby and the Walker House.

The museum is at 504 Main St. Hours until late May are 11 am.-4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Admission includes entrance to all museum exhibits: $10 for adults; $5 for seniors 65 and above; $5 for veterans; free for children 17 and under; and free for active duty military members. For more information, call 804-453-6529 or e-mail office@rfmuseum.org.          

Registration is now open for the 2026 Reedville Fishermen's Museum's Family Boat Building weekend. It will be held Friday-Sunday, June 19th-21st in the pavilion on the museum's campus, 504 Main St., Reedville.

Families are partnered with museum volunteers to build a wooden skiff to take home. The cost is $1,000, which includes the boat kit, oars, two T-shirts, lunch on Saturday and admission to the museum.

Limited openings are available; the event always sells out. A $250 non-refundable deposit will secure a space.

For more information, call 804-453-6529 or e-mail office@rfmuseum.org.

MATHEWS MUSEUM TO OPEN

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES EXHIBIT

The Mathews Museum is pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibit highlighting the indigenous peoples who lived in Mathews centuries ago.

The exhibit will open in two stages. The public is invited to visit during regular museum hours, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and step back in time through a remarkable collection of artifacts and interpretive displays.

“The exhibit has been more than a year in the making,” says Museum President Tom Robinson.  

The exhibit features original artifacts, a hands-on touch table, and a vintage hand-crafted dugout canoe, offering visitors an immersive experience. Indigenous people are believed to have lived in the Mathews area for thousands of years — from as early as 22,000 years ago until the Kiskiack Tribe was driven out in the 1670s.

Chairman Robinson invites community members with Native American heritage to share their stories and family histories. Those interested are encouraged to contact the Museum at 804-505-1277,  or email info@mathewsmuseum.org, or, simply stop by for a visit. Visit the Museum at mathewsmuseum.org.  

Faron Hamblin returns to the Reedville Fishermen's Museum for a night of rollicking fun 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, June 13th. The Concert by the Creek is in the pavilion, located at 504 Main St., Reedville, so it's rain or shine. Picnic baskets are permitted. However, to support the non-profit museum, no outside beverages (including water bottles) are allowed on the grounds. A food truck and full beverage bar will be available on-site. Tickets are $25. Buy for will-call on the website, www.rfmuseum.org, or at the door. Information: 804-435-6529 or office@rfmuseum.org.

Mathews Marathon - A Boston Qualifier Race

From 7:00AM to 1:00PM

On Saturday, October 17th from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. come out and run along peaceful, rural backroads in beautiful Mathews County, Virginia - as we like to say - the world's flattest race course! This course was officially registered as a Boston qualifier in 2025. Enjoy the fast, flat course that winds through dirt, gravel and paved roads and past the serenity of one of Virginia’s great countrysides. The Marathon route will take you to 3 of the county’s beaches. You can also register for the Half Marathon or run the marathon course as a relay! Find out more information and register here: https://mocva.net/marathon/ Organized by the Mathews Outdoor Club

Location: Put In Creek Pavilion

Website: https://www.mocva.net/marathon/

Wharf to Wharf Swim

 

Swim out-and-back along the calm waters of the East River in Mathews County, Virginia. On Saturday, August 15th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., challenge yourself to a one mile open water swim starting and ending at Williams Wharf Landing. Swimmers set out in waves and return to a post-race award ceremony and celebration. Find out more information and register here: https://mocva.net/w2w/ This event is organized by the Mathews Outdoor Club.

Location: Williams Wharf Landing

Website: https://www.mocva.net/w2w/

Islander Regatta - Paddle Around Gwynn's Island

Circumnavigate one of Virginia's few inhabited Islands at this annual 9 mile paddle event around Gwynn's Island in Mathews, Virginia! On Saturday, June 27th, from 8am to 1pm Paddle along 3 bodies of water: the Milford Haven, Piankatank River & Chesapeake Bay. Enjoy full water safety support from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 66, rest stops, a post-race celebration & the Gwynn's Island Festival. Find out more information and register at https://mocva.net/regatta/ This event is organized by the Mathews Outdoor Club.

Location: The Islander Hotel, 633 Old Ferry Road, Gwynn VA

Website: http://www.mocva.net/regatta/

The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 58, located in Gloucester VA, at 6265 Professional Drive, directly behind the radio station. Their Certified Claims Service Officers can assist ALL Veterans and their dependents with submitting claims to the Veterans Administration at no cost. No appointment necessary, you’ll need a DD214, hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 2pm and they can be reached at 804-695-1558.

For a ride to Richmond or Hampton for appointment, call Keith Davis at 757-728-3148 to make arrangements.

Gloucester County Unveils New Driving Tour Exploring the
1781 Battle of the Hook
The Gloucester Museum of History proudly announces the launch of the Battle of the Hook Driving
Tour, a new self-guided driving tour exploring the events, people, and key sites of the Battle of the
Hook, the largest cavalry engagement of the American Revolution and a crucial Franco-American
victory. The tour brochure is available at the Museum of History and Gloucester Visitor Center, at
no cost, and an online version is also available.
 

The October 3, 1781, Battle of the Hook is one of the most important episodes of the siege of
Yorktown, when the Duc de Lauzun's famous Legion of hussars with 300 troops of the "Infanterie
de Marine,” and Lieutenant Colonel John Mercer's Select Battalion of Grenadiers, under the overall
command of French Brigadier General Claude de Choisy, defeated Lieutenant Colonel Banastre
Tarleton's British Legion and a detachment of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. The fighting at Gloucester
helped cut off British escape routes from Yorktown, directly contributing to their surrender just
sixteen days later, on October 19, 1781.
 

The driving tour guides visitors to pivotal locations throughout Gloucester County, including the
historic Tavern at Gloucester Courthouse (now the Gloucester Museum of History), Ware
Episcopal Church, Abingdon Episcopal Church, and Seawell’s Ordinary. Each site reveals how local
landscapes became strategic military positions during the final campaign for American
independence.
Additional highlights include the Second Surrender, memorialized at Tyndall’s Point Park, where
British troops garrisoned in Gloucester surrendered to French forces one hour after the October 19,
1781, capitulation at Yorktown. The tour also directs visitors to Abingdon Elementary School,
where they may experience interpretive signage and a new memorial honoring the five French
soldiers who fell during the battle.
“This tour invites locals and guests to explore Gloucester’s beauty and history while visiting
landmarks where decisive moments in America’s fight for independence unfolded,” said Robert
Kelly, Gloucester’s Historic Resources Supervisor. “As we commemorate the nation’s 250 th birthday,
the tour is a powerful way to connect Gloucester’s history and landscapes with the broader story of
America’s founding while also honoring the importance of the Franco-American Alliance.”

Registration is now open for 4-H Camp for Gloucester, Essex and Middlesex. Camp will be held June 8th-12th at the Jamestown 4-H Center.

Do you have concerns regarding your preschooler's development? Gloucester County Public Schools conducts screenings for preschool children as part of their Child Find Activities throughout the school year. Parents/Guardians should consider having their children screened if they are experiencing difficulty walking, talking, playing, and meeting developmental milestones. If you are interested in having your child screened, please contact your child's zoned school. Any further questions please contact the Special Education Office at 804-693-7880 or 804-693-7944.