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. As of March 12th, 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.  

Abingdon Ruritan Club Seafood Festival

 

The Abingdon Ruritan Club of Gloucester is proud to announce its highly anticipated Seafood Festival on Wednesday, May 20th. This beloved community event will take place on the festival grounds behind the club building at 8784 Guinea Road, Bena, VA. Gates open at 2:00 PM, with food service beginning promptly at 3:00 PM following the National Anthem — a Ruritan tradition honoring citizenship and patriotism. The event runs till 8:00 PM. This all-inclusive seafood celebration features unlimited food/drinks with the purchase of your ticket, including: • Oysters – fried, roasted & on the half-shell • Clams – chowder, fritters & half-shell • Scallops – fried & grilled • Fried fish • Hush puppies • Steamed shrimp & Hawaiian garlic shrimp • Steamed crabs • BBQ with coleslaw • French fries • Cake • Ice cream • Beverages: Beer, wine, mixed drinks, soft drinks, tea, coffee and water. (Alcohol stops being served at 7:30 PM) Guests will also enjoy live music, free parking, and local sponsor booths, making it the perfect afternoon and evening outing for seafood lovers and families alike. Enjoy seating in a covered pavilion or bring your own fold-up chairs and small fold-up tables. TICKETS Don’t wait—tickets will go FAST! Sales open in March 2026 and can be purchased: • From Abingdon Ruritan Club members • Online at www.AbingdonRuritanClub.com • At select local retailers: -Milk Panda 2268 York Crossing Dr Hayes -Tillage Auto 1925 George Washington Mem Hwy Hayes -Whitley's Peanuts 1977 George Washington Mem Hwy Hayes -Weatherwax Insurance Agency 4435 George Washington Mem Hwy Hayes -Hogge Real Estate 6800 Main Street Gloucester

Website: http://www.Abingdonruritanclub.com

Phone: 7573441792

Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism Events

GLO PADDLE

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a GLO Paddle at Beaverdam Park on Saturday, April 18 from 7:30 -10:00 PM. Paddle around Beaverdam Lake with glow sticks, face paint, black lights and more to light up the reservoir at night!  The fees are $15 w/rental equipment and $10 w/your own equipment. The deadline to register is Friday, April 17th.

THE FULL HIKE

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring The Full Hike on the 3^rd Saturday of  April and May at 9:00 am.  Join us at Beaverdam Parks Main Entrance, at 8:45 am we will shuttle you to the Fary’s Mill Road Park Entrance where you will hike the trail back to the Main Entrance.  The hike is approximately 9 miles.  The registration fee is $5 and the deadline is 1 week before the hike.

NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN – BEST YEARS TRIP

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Best Years Trip to the Norfolk Botanical Garden on Wednesday, April 29 from 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM. The Azalea tour in late April is beautiful with displays of many colors of Azaleas, Camellias and more! The fee is $50 and the deadline to register is Wednesday, April 22nd.

KARATE 

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Karate for ages 4 and older on Mondays or Thursdays at T. C. Walker from April 13 – June 8 or April 16 – June 11.  Four classes are offered for students of all levels, including a family class where adults and youth work together to learn.  Fees are $35-$45 and the deadline is Monday, April 20th.

KIDS CRAFT MARKET

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring a Kids Craft Market on Saturday, April 25 from 11 AM – 3 PM on the front lawns of buildings 1 and 2.  Youth ages 18 and under rent a booth to sell their crafts/art.  The fee for each 10x10 space is $25 and the deadline to register is Monday, April 13th.

PLEIN AIR PAINTING

Parks, Recreation & Tourism is sponsoring Plein Air Painting this Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22 from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Beaverdam Park. This traditional approach to painting embraces natural beauty and helps artists get out of the studio. You’ll bring your easel, canvas, and paints. This program is FREE but registration is required. Deadline is Tuesday, April 21st.

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

RCC Announces 22^nd Annual Preakness Party Supporting Student Scholarships
 

Rappahannock Community College’s Educational Foundation invites the community to the 22nd Annual Preakness Party on Saturday, May 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ditchley in Kilmarnock.

Guests will enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres from 1710 Tavern, Act XII Wine and Provisions, Ditchley Cider Works, Excellent Eats, Indian Creek Yacht & Country Club, and RCC Culinary Arts. Beverages will feature regional wines from General’s Ridge Vineyard, Good Luck Cellars, and Ingleside Vineyards, along with cocktails, beer, and non-alcoholic options.

The afternoon will include live and silent auctions featuring unique experiences and one-of-a-kind items, as well as the popular “Most Audacious Hat” and “Best Dressed Man” contests. The event concludes with a live broadcast of the Preakness Stakes on big screens under the tent.

RCC students often balance work, family responsibilities, food insecurity, and unexpected challenges while pursuing their education. Through support from the RCC Educational Foundation (EFI)—including proceeds from the Preakness Party—students receive critical resources that help them stay on track and complete their goals.

“The Preakness Party is a highlight of the year—fun, festive, and deeply impactful,” said Dr. Shannon Kennedy, RCC President. “This year’s celebration not only supports scholarships but also invites our community to play a role in shaping the future of our students.”

Tickets are $100 per guest, with half of each ticket tax-deductible. To purchase, contact the RCC Educational Foundation at 804-333-6707 or visit www.rappahannock.edu/preaknessparty.

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.

The Reedville Fishermen's Museum opens for the season Thursday, April 2nd, 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.          

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.