National Trails Day 5K

High Bridge Trail State Park will host “Run for Your Life,” a National Trails Day 5K, beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 6. The run includes categories for all ages, and the top male and female finishers will receive a free weekend cabin stay in a Virginia state park. The registration fee is $25 per participant. Registration can be completed in person at the Southside Virginia Family YMCA located at 580 Commerce Road in Farmville, or by registering online at www.runsignup.com/Race/VA/Farmville/NationalTrailsDay5k. The race will start in the Main Street Plaza in downtown Farmville. If you have questions or need more information, contact High Bridge Trail State Park at 434-315-0457.

JRAC Photographers Meeting

The James River Arts Council photography group will have their next monthly meeting on Monday, June 8, from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Richard Singleton’s studio in Scottsville. This group is open to JRAC members of any skill level with an interest in photography. The group meets the second Monday of each month to learn, share, and collaborate. Memberships are good for one year, and meetings are free to all members. Interested parties can join the James River Arts Council on their website, www.jamesriverarts.org/join, then contact Chris Hogger at chrishogger@embarqmail.com to be added to the group list.

Men’s Health Day

The Beulah M. Wiley Fitness Center will celebrate men’s health day from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, so make some time to work up a sweat! In addition to free gym use, lunch will be offered to all participants. The fitness center includes a state-of-the-art gym with cardio and weightlifting equipment, group exercise classes, and nutritional counseling. The facility is located at 25892 North James Madison Highway in New Canton. For more information, contact fitness center director Debbie Tyson at 434-581-3271, extension 3022.

Active Seniors Meeting

Buckingham Active Seniors will meet on Thursday, June 11, at 12 p.m. for their annual summer picnic. There is no speaker for this meeting, but activities and fun in the sun are planned! Paper products, hot dogs, hamburgers, rolls, and condiments will be provided. Members should bring a drink and a side dish to share and, if possible, a lawn chair to use. The picnic will be held at Holliday Lake State Park located at 2759 State Park Road in Appomattox. Membership in the Buckingham Active Seniors is free and eligible to all Buckingham residents who are at least 50 years old. For more information, contact Buckingham Parks and Recreation at 434-969-4242.

VFW Meeting

Buckingham Post 8446 of the VFW will meet on Thursday, June 11, at 7 p.m. in the VFW Hall located at 14405 West James Anderson Highway on Route 60. Current members are reminded to attend. Anyone interested in joining is welcome but should to bring their DD-214 or current VFW membership card.

Ruritan Club Meeting

The Buckingham County Ruritan Club will meet on Thursday, June 11, starting at 7:30 p.m. The local Ruritans are looking for new members to join in the club’s mission of fellowship, goodwill, and community service in Buckingham County. If you’re interested in learning more about the Ruritan Club, stop by any monthly meeting. Meetings are held the second Thursday of the month at Ellis Acres Memorial Park located at 245 Camden Street in Dillwyn.

Fashion Show & Concert

Union Branch Baptist Church will hold a fashion show and concert on Sunday, June 14, beginning at 4 p.m. James Shelton and the Redeemers will perform. All are welcome to come and be blessed! The church is located at 5560 Bridgeport Road in Arvonia.

Tree Pruning Workshop

Prince Edward Extension will host a summer fruit tree pruning workshop on Monday, June 15, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. The workshop will cover pruning out injury and problem areas, summer pruning to regulate tree size, and general summer tree maintenance. The workshop is free, but all are asked to pre-register no later than Friday, June 12. The workshop will take place at Glasscock Orchard located at 869 Old Peach Tree Road in Green Bay. For registration or more information, Prince Edward Extension at 434-392-4246 or by emailing hawthoks@vt.edu.

Small Farm Berry & Vegetable Field Day

Virginia State University has combined its field days into one blockbuster event—the Small Farm Berry and Vegetable Field Day—held rain or shine on Tuesday, June 16, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Beginning and experienced farmers will learn from Cooperative Extension specialists about the latest research, trends, and proven techniques for maximizing farm profits on limited acreage. USDA representatives will be on hand to explain government resources for small farmers. Farm-related exhibitors and an Iron Chef competition featuring locally grown produce will be available throughout the day. This event is free and includes breakfast and a boxed lunch. However, pre-registration by Tuesday, June 9, is required. For registration or more information, contact Mark Klingman by phone at 804-524-5626 or by email at mjklingman@vsu.edu. The event will be held at VSU’s Randolph Farm located at 4415 River Road in Petersburg.

Environmental Field Days

Peter Francisco Soil and Water Conservation District and Buckingham Extension 4-H are offering a day camp for students who are entering 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades in the fall and have an interest in the environment. The day camp will be held from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, and Wednesday, July 8, at Bear Creek Lake State Park. Campers will work together in teamwork exercises and have the opportunity to learn about forestry, aquatics, fish, and wildlife through interactive, hands-on experiences. The cost is $10 per camper and covers a camp t-shirt and daily transportation to and from camp from the USDA Service Center at Sprouse’s Corner. Registration is due no later than Tuesday, June 16, so don’t delay! For registration or more information, contact Elise Corbin at elise.corbin@vaswcd.org or call 434-983-7923. Application and registration may also be completed at the Buckingham Extension office located at 64 Administration Drive just off Route 60 in Buckingham Courthouse.

Horsemanship Camp

Sprouse’s Corner Ranch will offer a Horsemanship I Camp for children ages 7-16 years old on Monday, June 22, through Friday, June 26, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day. This camp is geared toward beginning and intermediate students, and all students will be given English and Western riding lessons by a CHA certified instructor. Lessons are formatted in progressively emphasizing communication skills, body alignment, and balance. Fun and safety will be a focus in the saddle and on the ground. In addition to riding, campers participate in crafts and games with their horses. Camp culminates in a cookout, hayride, and campers performing in a horse show for friends and family. The cost for each camper is $250 and includes daily snacks and a camp t-shirt. Application and release forms are available on the ranch’s website. To reserve a space for your child, all paperwork, along with a $50 deposit, must be submitted by mail in advance of the camp’s start date. Parents with working schedules may arrange for early or late pickup during the registration process. For more information or registration, visit the website at sprousescornerranch.com/summer_camps or call 434-983-8181.

Chamber Photo Contest

The Buckingham Chamber of Commerce is still accepting entries for its 2015 Photo Contest! This contest is open to photographers of all skill levels and ages, residents and visitors alike, with a grand prize of $50 and 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place ribbons to be awarded in four categories. To participate, submitted photos must 1) have been taken in Buckingham County with the location identified and 2) fit into one of the four themed divisions: landscapes/rural images, unique Buckingham locations/points of interest, local events, and wildlife/domestic animals. The original photographer must submit all photos as an 8×10 print (digital image must also be available upon request) with no copyright or watermarks on photos; matted prints are preferred but not required. There is a limit of one submission per category per photographer; submissions to each category must include their own separate submission form. All photos submitted become property of the Chamber and may be used on the Chamber’s website and publications; however, the photographer will be given credit for the photos used.

The contest runs until Friday, August 14. All winners will be contacted by Monday, September 7. There is a $10 fee to enter, which covers submissions to each of the four categories, for a total of four photographs. Submission forms are available at the Chamber website (www.buckinghamchamberofcommerce.com), the Chamber’s Facebook page, www.buckinghamcounty.va.org, and at Moss Motor Company. Completed submissions may be dropped off at Moss Motor Company and the Kyanite Mining Corporation. Questions should be sent to fayeshumaker@kyanite.com, tyreerealty@msn.com, bkmtn@gmail.com, and rcobb@buckinghamcounty.virginia.gov.

Benefit Raffle

Now through October, Heartland Horse Heroes is conducting benefit raffle for a new Husqvarna Z254 zero-turn mower donated by Southworth Power Equipment of Cumberland. Raffle tickets cost $1 per ticket or $5 for 6 tickets. The drawing will be held on Saturday, October 10; the winner need not be present to win. Tickets are available at Sprouse’s Garage located at 43 Sprouse’s Garage Road, just off the intersection of Route 15 and Route 60, in Dillwyn. All proceeds benefit the Heartland Horse Heroes program.

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 mail a copy to P.O Box 225, Buckingham, VA 23921.