The Buckingham County Middle School Chapter of the National Future Farmers of America Organization stuffed and delivered Christmas stockings for the residents of Heritage Hall nursing home in Dillwyn for the holiday season. The students collected toiletry items and prepared handwritten cards. Some of the students participated in the face-to-face delivery of stockings, which was a very meaningful experience. They were provided with the opportunity to visit and talk with the residents, and spread holiday cheer.

Buckingham County Volunteer Rescue Squad (BCVRS) received a grant from the state government to purchase three Lucas devices. These state-of-the-art auto pullers can assist crews with chest compressions during CPR, which in turn give the crews even more ways to assist citizens in need. BCVRS is always looking for new members and invites anyone interested in volunteering to come by the building and visit. The squad house is located on U.S. Route 15 near the town of Dillwyn.

The 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest, sponsored by the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc. and Virginia 4-H, is underway. This is a great opportunity for 4-Hers to win cash prizes and the state winner will go on to compete nationally. Essay topic is, “What’s So Super About the Super Organism in the Honey Bee?” The honeybee is a great super organism. What does this mean to you, to your community and to the world? Put on your thinking caps and start writing. The scope of the research is an essential judging criterion, counting for 40 percent of the score. The number of sources consulted, the authority of the sources and the varieties of the sources are all evaluated. Personal interviews with beekeepers and others familiar with the subject are valued sources of information and should be documented. Sources, which are not cited in the endnotes, should be listed in a resources or bibliography lists. Essays should be submitted by email to safishe3@vt.edu by Feb. 28. All questions and specific rules concerning the contest can also be directed by email to safishe3@vt.edu.

Do you know an amazing teacher in Virginia? Join the Virginia Lottery in saying “thanks” for making a difference for our children and our communities. In the first two years of the Virginia Lottery Thank-A-Teacher campaign, students sent more than 70,000 thank-you notes to teachers across the Commonwealth during National Teacher Appreciation Week. This year, the Virginia Lottery is looking for three student artists to have their artwork featured on those thousands of notes as part of the inaugural Thank-a-Teacher Art Contest. The contest is open to K-12 students enrolled in one of Virginia’s public schools. One top-prize winner will be selected from each level: elementary school, middle school and high school. The three winners will not only get to see their artwork featured on the 2018 thank-you notes, but they will also each receive a $150 gift card and win $1,000 for their school’s art department. You can help spread the word about the Thank-a-Teacher Art Contest and encourage the students in your life to enter. Submissions will be accepted until Feb. 2. For more information about the contest including official rules, eligibility and entry requirements, visit www.ThankaTeacherVA.com.

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