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Work continues on the Farmville splashpad. The work connecting pipes and hooking up the water is finished. Now workers are expected to start pouring concrete this week. That work’s been delayed over the last few months, due to weather conditions. Once the concrete is poured, next they’ll be pouring the slab for the pump room. 

Back in September 2022, the town council voted unanimously to build the Farmville splashpad, placed on the same piece of property as Lions Park, but closer to the trail. Lions Park is located on West Third Street, at the entrance to the Wilck’s Lake island area. This splashpad will be approximately 5,000 square feet and is being built by Mesa, Arizona based Splash Zone LLC, using money from the town’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. 

So with all that in mind, when might we see the Farmville splashpad open for residents?
“Fingers crossed, (the Farmville splashpad) should open in June,” Farmville Town Manager Dr. Scott Davis told council members during their Wednesday, May 8 meeting. 

School district no longer extending semester

Prince Edward will end the school semester on their regular schedule, despite previous plans to add a day to the student calendar. Last month, the school district staff had announced plans to extend the school year until Thursday, May 23. That’s not the case anymore. 

The extra day was originally added in order to make up for one lost in April. Prince Edward County Public Schools decided to cancel classes on Monday, April 8. That was the day of the solar eclipse and while Cumberland, Charlotte and Lunenburg counties held classes as usual, Buckingham and Prince Edward canceled. The argument made by Prince Edward school district officials at the time was twofold. First, they didn’t have any material to protect students from looking up and burning their retinas. Prince Edward staff put in an order for solar eclipse glasses, but they didn’t arrive in time. Second, district staff decided since the eclipse was happening right before and after release times, to protect students they would either need to hold them until the two-hour event ended or keep them home. They decided to keep everyone home. 

Now Virginia law requires classes to be open either 180 days or 990 hours. Concerned they might fall short of that mark after missing April 8, that’s why Prince Edward officials added the extra day to the calendar. 

However, it turns out the district will exceed the minimum requirement without that extra day. 

“We have determined that we do not need to extend the school year,” school district officials said in a statement on their social media accounts. “Therefore, the last day of school for students will be Wednesday, May 22.”
Wednesday, May 22 will be an early dismissal day, with classes letting out at 12:30 p.m. 

Longwood transfers find new teams

Two members of this year’s Longwood men’s basketball team will have a new place to call home next fall. Seniors Szymon Zapala and DA Houston entered the transfer portal after the end of the season. Zapala, who averaged 9.8 points and 5.6 rebounds last year, is headed to the Big 10 Conference, announcing he chose Michigan State. 

“Thrilled to announce my commitment to Michigan State University,” Zapala said in a tweet on Tuesday. “Proud to be a Spartan.” 

Wichita State and Rhode Island were also in the running to sign the 7 ft. center from Poland. 

Meanwhile, Zapala’s former teammate DA Houston announced on his Instagram that he’s committed to Coastal Carolina. The 6’1 ft. senior guard averaged 6.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists this past season for Longwood. 

Tigers outfielder makes All-ODAC Team

Hampden-Sydney junior outfielder Christian Lancaster was named this past week to the 2024 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Third Team. The selections were chosen by the league’s head coaches. 

Lancaster started all 34 games he played and hit .339 (41-121) with one home run, one triple, 10 doubles, 24 runs scored, 33 RBIs, 10 walks and was hit by a pitch 13 times. The left-handed batter had an OPS of .895 with a .463 slugging percentage and a .432 on-base percentage, along with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage on 57 putouts and one assist while playing in left field. He led the team in on-base percentage, RBIs, doubles, hit by pitches, sacrifice flies (4) and fielding percentage, while among the Tigers’ top five in every offensive statistical category. Christian tied for first in the ODAC in fielding percentage, tied for sixth in hit by pitches, tied for seventh in sacrifice flies, tied for 20th in RBIs and tied for 23rd in doubles.

H-SC completed the 2024 campaign with a final overall record of 16-19, including 9-13 in the ODAC.

Memorial Day Tribute set for Farmville and beyond

 Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park will host programs later this month, paying tribute to soldiers who gave their lives for this country. The 2rd U.S. Regulars will have an encampment with interpretive programs on Saturday, May 25 through Sunday, May 26. Programs will take place at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m. each day.

Residents will be able to see up close and personal how Union Infantry regiments fought and existed during the American Civil War, while exploring tactics, firing demonstrations, and aspects of camp life. The program is free, regardless of which day you go. In the event of

inclement weather, park officials say portions of the scheduled demonstrations may be altered or changed. You can call the Visitor Center at (804) 561-7510 for questions or more information.

Cumberland man named Silver Agency Manager

One Virginia Farm Bureau manager was honored this past week, as Wade Stimpson was given an award. The Cumberland County resident was named a Silver Agency Manager during the group’s annual sales conference at Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center, in Williamsburg.
Stimpson received the Silver Agency Manager Award in his 26th year with Virginia Farm Bureau, praised by his peers for outstanding sales and service to his members. 

“Wade excels at ensuring his members in Cumberland understand and have the insurance coverage they need. We are fortunate to have Wade representing Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance and congratulate him on this achievement,” says Ray Leonard, VP of Sales.