On May 3, the top Accelerated Reader (AR) students from the Buckingham County Middle School rode in a stretch Hummer limousine and ate at The Tavern on the James to celebrate their tremendous accomplishment. AR stands for Accelerated Reader which is a reading monitoring program. Students earn points for quizzes they pass on the books they read.

Emma Staton, Isabelle Halliday, and Elly Abruzzo were the top earners for their grade levels, with Emma Staton having the most for the entire school. These 15 students tested on a combined total of 388 books. The students compete all year to be one of the top five points earners for their grade to win a coveted spot in the limo. This special event to acknowledge these students has taken place over many years and serves to motivate students to read more. It would not be possible without the generous donations from Bear Garden, Cody Moss with Aflac, Food Lion and The Farmer’s Bank of Appomattox.

The Annual Buckingham Memorial Day Program will be held Monday, May 27, 10 a.m. at the VFW Hall, featuring the Buckingham Senior High School JROTC, American Legion Post 134 Dillwyn, and the VFW Post 8446 of Buckingham. An open house with refreshments will accompany this event at the VFW Hall.

The Buckingham Library is showing a feature film “The Labyrinth” Friday, May 24, at noon. They will also have a computer class on May 22 at 11 a.m. on how to construct brochures and cards with the use of Microsoft Word.

Buckingham Extension 4-H office is hosting a Citizenship 4-H Camp Friday, June 7, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. The theme is exploring Virginia’s State Capital and Virginia History. Plan to spend the day in Richmond visiting the capitol, the Museum of Virginia History and Culture, and more. The program is designed for ages 9-18. Lunch is provided. For more information, contact (434) 969-4261.

Another fun program offered by Buckingham 4-H includes Cloverbud Weekend at Holliday Lake 4-H Center from June 14-16, for ages five-eight, with drop off at 4-H Center 4 p.m. Friday and pick up 9:45 a.m. on Sunday. Cloverbud youth are grouped by county for lodging and classes. Trained teen and adult leaders supervise them at a ratio of one leader to five youth. Camp staff members teach classes and lead programs. This is a district-wide camp and is limited to 60 girls and 60 boys. Sign up early.

Join Holliday Lake State Park for National Kids to Parks Day on May 18. The location is the Jones Family Cemetery (behind the concession stand). The park is located at 2759 State Park Road, Appomattox. Holliday Lake State Park has a lot more to offer. Contact (434) 248-6308 or go online www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/holliday-lake for more information about this and other events.

Youth football, cheerleading, fall baseball and softball signups will be held throughout the months of May, June, and July at Gene Dixon Ball Park. For dates and times, email buckinghamcountyyouthleague@gmail.com or mcgilliam80@gmail.com or visit its Facebook page at Buckingham County Youth League. You can also sign up online at www.bcyouthleague.website.siplay.com. Have a copy of your child’s current physical when registering. Designed for ages 5-13 (as of Sept. 1 for football), and ages 6-12 (for cheerleading).

The Buckingham County High School Horticulture Department’s spring plant sale is now in full swing. The greenhouse hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. See Casey Davis at the CTE building to make a purchase.

SHERRI WISE can be reached at wise.buckingham@gmail.com.