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The Town of Farmville is halfway to the goal. Specifically, they’ve raised enough money to get Police Chief Andy Ellington to shave his head. Now the focus turns to the second goal, raising enough so that Town Manager Scott Davis does the same. 

This is all a big fundraiser to support Helene Blanton. A longtime member of the Farmville Police Department, Blanton has served as a communications operator for decades. She was recently diagnosed with stage four brain cancer, going through surgery a couple weeks ago and her work family want to make sure she has plenty to cover those medical bills.
That’s where the fundraising comes in. Chief Ellington promised that if the town raised $5,000, he would get his head shaved. The town has indeed raised more than $5,000, so Ellington has vowed to keep his promise at the May 23 town employee picnic. As for the second part of the challenge, Davis had promised to get his hair shaved if the amount reached $10,000. The numbers aren’t quite there just yet. 

If you want to contribute, Farmville Director of Finance Julie Moore has agreed to collect donations. You can just drop those off at her office, located in the Farmville town hall. Anyone who writes a check needs to make it out to Helene Blanton or cash will be accepted if you want to go that route. Ellington also suggested that if folks can’t donate money, a note or a card saying thank you or that she’s being prayed for would also be good during this time. 

New historical marker in Cumberland 

Another marker has been added to the collection in Cumberland County. During their latest meeting, the Virginia Board of Historic Resources voted to approve a historical marker for John Robinson. Who was John Robinson? He was a free person of color who owned land and worked as a wagoner in Cumberland before the Civil War. 

Robinson fled to Amelia County after he was attacked twice by White men in 1864. He later used the local courts to convict many of his attackers and to defend his property rights. An active Republican during Reconstruction, he became one of 24 African Americans elected to serve in Virginia’s Constitutional Convention of 1867-68, where he voted with radical reformers. During his tenure as a state senator from 1869-73, he helped set up Virginia’s new public school system and voted to ratify the 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Robinson later returned to Cumberland County, where he owned and operated the Effingham House tavern for 30 years.

Buckingham Chair gets national spot 

Buckingham County will have a voice at the Republican National Committee this year. Ramona Christian, who was re-elected to a new term as chairman of the Buckingham Republican Committee last month, will serve as part of the Republican National Platform Committee. The group of 112 people is responsible for drafting and developing the official platform of the Republican Party. The platform outlines the party’s principles, policy stances, and priorities, and serves as a guiding document for the party’s candidates and elected officials. It meets every four years, during the run-up to the Republican National Convention. State Senator John McGuire, who is running against incumbent 5th District House Rep. Bob Good, sent out a statement saying Christian had earned her spot. 

“She and her team helped Trump get thousands of signatures to get on the ballot, they made a ton of phone calls for Trump, she traveled the state to help Trump GOTV, and she is the Trump campaign volunteer coordinator,” McGuire said in his statement. “Ramona opened the Richmond Trump rally in March by giving the invocation and she is on the Virginia Trump Campaign leadership team.”

Beyond Farmville, kites go up this month

The gates will open and residents will have a chance to show off their kite flying skills on Saturday, May 18. Running from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., this will mark the fourth annual Kite Day at the park. Kite kits will be available for children to put together or you can bring your own. Pets are also welcome, provided they’re kept on a leash at all times. And yes, before you ask, the event is free to the public. For more information, you can call the park at 804-561-7510 or email sailorscreek@dcr.virginia.gov. Sailor’s Creek is located at 6541 Sayler’s Creek Road.