First Female Collegiate Institute First Female

Buckingham
BEACON
Your News Source For Buckingham Living
June 10–July 14, 2011 FR E E
Community Day volunteers and more achievers.... page 12
Buckingham History
First Female
Collegiate Institute
Page 4
Vol. 9 No. 11, May 13– June 9, 2011
What’s
BEACON
Your News Source for Buckingham Living
INSIDE......
Publisher
C.M. Santos
[email protected]
Community
Ceremony for those
who serve...
Editor
Laurel Greene
[email protected]
Advertising Account Manager
Diane Eliason
Pages 8-9
Library
Summer reading
programs...Page
Advertising Director
Judi Price
[email protected]
Graphic Designer
Marilyn Ellinger
6
Writers
Laurel Greene
Martha Louis
Sue Miles
Donald Lucas
People
Conversations with God...
Contributors
May Lythgoe, Geri Jensen
Donna McRae-Jones, Joyce Nelson
Margaret Thomas, Joanne Yeck
Pages 10, 11 & 14
Schools
Buckingham County
High School
celebrates many
achievements
...Page 12
3
Buckingham
Display ad rates: For information including
rates and deadlines call Judi Price at 434-591-1000 ext.
23.
Subscriptions: Copies will be mailed for the subscription price of $35 per year. Please mail a check
and a note with your name and address to:
Buckingham Beacon Subscriptions Dept., P.O. Box
59, Palmyra, VA 22963.
Submissions, tips, ideas, etc.: The Buckingham
Beacon encourages submissions and tips on items of interest
to Buckingham citizens. However we reserve the right to edit
submissions as deemed necessary and cannot guarantee they
will be published. The Buckingham Beacon will not be
responsible for returning submitted materials, please include
S.A.S.E. if you would like items returned. Please keep
Calendar submissions to fifty words or less, Letters to the
Editor to 300 words or less and feature stories to 500 words
or less. Mail submissions to: The Buckingham Beacon, P.O.
Box 59, Palmyra, VA 22963 to the attention of applicable
section, (Letters to the Editor, Community Calendar, etc.), or
e-mail [email protected].
Classified Ads: Please send a neatly written or typed copy
of the ad with a $10 check to: Classifieds Dept. P.O. Box 59,
Palmyra, VA 22963. Please specify the category it should appear
under. Sorry, classifieds will not be taken by phone.
Next advertising deadline:: Wed., July 6 for the July
15–August 11, 2011 issue.
© Valley Publishing Corp. 2011. All rights reserved.
E-mail: [email protected]
Mailing address: P.O. Box 59, Palmyra,VA 22963
Office location: 2987 Lake Monticello Road,
Palmyra VA 22963.
Phone: (434) 591-1000
Fax: (434) 589-1704
Disclaimer: The Buckingam Beacon does not endorse or
recommend any product or service and is not responsible for
any warranties or claims made by advertisers in their ads.
General: Buckingham Beacon is published monthly by
Valley Publishing Corp. It is the only paper that covers
Buckingham County exclusively. 5,000 copies are circulated throughout the county per issue. One copy is free,
additional copies are $1 each payable in advance to the
publisher.
Sketch of the Female Institute from the book
History of the Buckingham Female Collegiate
Institute by Sue West, provided by Margaret Thomas
Cover designed by Marilyn Ellinger
C ALENDAR
38th Annual Burkeville Ruritans & Crewe
Kiwanis Virginia Chicken Festival
Want to be in the Guinness Book of Records?
Come help make history
On Tuesday, June 14, thousands of kids and adults at aquatics facilities
around the globe will unite to set a new global record for The World’s Largest
Swimming Lesson (WLSL). The Woodland is an official Host Location for the
2011 WLSL record-setting event, taking place at 11a.m. with registration taking place at 10 a.m. You may pre-register by calling 392.6106 extension 253.
The inaugural WLSL event established the Guinness World Record for the
largest simultaneous swimming lesson ever conducted in 2010 when almost
See Calendar Page 6
See David Wise
at the
Virginia Chicken
Festival
Friday, June 17!
( BUCKINGHAM BEACON ✦ June 10 – July 14, 2011
Crewe
Friday, June 17, 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
BBQ Chicken Dinner
Robert's Rooster Stew
Cheese - Chicken Nuggets - Livers
Wings - Peanuts - Ice Cream
Soft Drinks - Adult Beverages
Proper ID with photo must be shown to consume adult beverages.
Entertainment: Enjoy Local Entertainment The WVHL 92.9 FM Morning
Team with Larry Armes & Art Rolle will be entertaining you on stage at the
Chicken Festival from 3 to 6 pm. Stop by and say hi to the entire Kickin'
Country Crew.
Tickets: $20 in Advance / $30 at the Gate ($1.00 S&H per ticket for mail
and online orders)
... and finally we have an answer to that old question as to why the chicken
crossed the road?
Of course he was going to the Virginia Chicken Festival!!!
For more information call 434-767-2442 or email: [email protected]
C OVER S TORY
4
Illustration of the Female Collegiate Institute. Photo courtesy of Joanne L. Yeck.
A Noble Idea: Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute
BUCKINGHAM BEACON ✦ June 10 – July 14, 2011
)
BY JOANNE L. YECK
CONTRIBUTOR
D
uring the 1820s and 1830s, academies and
seminaries for young ladies grew rapidly in
popularity across the United States. The
“collegiate” experience was available exclusively for young gentlemen, and for precious few of them. Then on January 13, 1837, the
Virginia General Assembly incorporated the
Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute, making it the
first chartered college for women in Virginia.
Funded by a joint stock company, a Board of
Trustees oversaw the Collegiate Institute, conceived to
promote the higher education of Christian women,
without regard to church affiliation. The Methodist
Church, however, soon lent their welcome support,
ultimately influencing the school’s religious leaning.
The curriculum was divided into five departments,
offering courses far exceeding the typical female academy and several textbooks used by the men at
Randolph-Macon College were assigned. Rhetoric,
Natural and Moral Philosophy, Chemistry, Astronomy,
Trigonometry, and Ancient and Modern Languages
Female Collegiate Institute Marker Erected 1959 by
were among the more demanding classes. The arts
Virginia
State Library. (Marker Number F 54.) Photo by
were not neglected. The Institute owned four pianos,
Bernard
Fisher, of Mechanicsville, Virginia.
and the faculty taught drawing and painting. Its
extraordinary library contained 3,000 volumes, donated by the citizens of Buckingham.
See Institute Page 5
While the girls benefitted personally from their studies,
there was a larger, social goal behind their education, succinctly put by one of the directors, Col.
B.A. Brown, “the purpose of the school is to give
. . . educated mothers to our children. For how
many men are ruined as boys by having ignorant
mothers to disease their minds.”
Plans for the Institute were under way long
before the charter passed the General Assembly.
In 1831, a planning committee was assembled,
funding was solicited, and grounds procured. By
1833, work began on the main building. Between
$27,000 - $36,000 has been estimated for the
cost of construction, and it showed.
Sitting on 120 acres of level meadow, the threestory structure contained 52 rooms, including
classrooms, music rooms, and an auditorium or
chapel. The interiors were top quality, the main
Hall paneled in walnut with carved cornices. Most,
but not all of the students, boarded at school, and
their rooms were appointed with walnut bedsteads
and washstands.
The President’s cottage was nearby, as well as an
infirmary. Profuse flowers, a rose arbor, and boxwoods graced the manicured grounds. Apple
orchards, vegetable gardens, and livestock were
maintained for food supplies, and a stable was
built to accommodate 12 horses. Hay and corn
Institute
Virginia, all attended, as did, my
ancestor’s sister, Susan Thompson
Chambers, and her first cousin
Frances America Chambers.
In 1839, when Susan died at age
18, her obituary praised her “strength
of mind,” stating that she was “highly
cultivated, at the best female schools
at a distance, and the Collegiate
Institute in the vicinity of her residence.” Susan had “but few equals
within that sphere.” Frances America
died at 23, after bearing three children in quick succession. Margaret
Harris died at 24, unmarried, and her
younger sister, Hortensia, was only
18 when she died in the summer of
1857, having begged her father to let
her remain at the Institute to continue
her studies in French, Algebra, and
Latin.
The short lives of these bright,
young Buckingham women remind us
why even many of the most cultured
families hesitated to invest in their
daughter’s advanced education. But
for those who survived child-bearing
and the vicissitudes of life, like Sarah
(Harris) Allen and Mary Virginia
(Harris) Ayres, the lessons learned at
the Institute vastly enriched their lives,
the lives of their children, and the
generations that followed.
Several
of
Joanne
Yeck’s
Buckingham families proudly sent
their daughters to the Buckingham
Female Collegiate Institute.
HOURS: Fri.-Sat. 6 a.m.-12 noon •Mon.–Thurs. 6 a.m.–11 p.m. • Sunday 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
20
Catering available for special
events, carry out only
MARKET
(434) 983-2500 • Fax: 983-3500
TAKE OUT MENU
ABC TO GO • DAILY SPECIALS • BREAKFAST SERVED
3407 S. Constitution Rte. • Dillwyn, VA 23936
Pizza
10” Subs
16” Large
Gyro (Pita Bread) $4.95
Cheese $8.00
1 Topping $9.50
2 Topping $11.00
Additional Topping $1.50
Additional Gourment Topping $2.00
W/lettuce, tomatoes, onion & Tzaki sauce
Toppings
Italian Club Sub $4.95
W/turkey,salami, pepperoni, ham, cheddar. provolone,
lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, oil & vinegar.
Steak & Cheese $4.95
W/lettuce, tomatoes, onion, peppers, mayo, oil & vinegar.
Chicken Parmesan $4.95
W/tomato sauce & cheese
Chicken or Tuna Salad $4.95
W/lettuce & tomatoes
Gourment Toppings
Steak & Sac $4.95
Steak • Grilled Chicken
Fresh Red Pepper • Feta Cheese
Artichoke Hearts • Calamata Olives
W/lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers, cheese, mayo, oil & vinegar
Calzone
Create Your Own
Cheese & Two Toppings $4.50
Each Additional Topping $.50
Chicken Philly Cheese $4.95
W/lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers, cheese, mayo, oil & vinegar
Turkey Sub $4.95
W/lettuce, tomatoes, &, mayo
Ham & Cheese Sub $4.95
W/lettuce, tomatoes, &, mayo
We make wraps too!
✦ June 10 – July 14, 2011
Extra Cheese • Meatball• Mushrooms
Pepperoni• Anchovy • Black Olive
Italian Sausage • Ham• Hot Pepper Rings
Onions• Fresh Tomato • Green Pepper
Bacon Pineapple • Spinach
Meatball Sub $4.95
Meatballs, cheese, & tomato sauce
( BUCKINGHAM BEACON
fields provided for the animals. With
the addition of Mr. John S. West’s
nearby store and tavern, the grounds
presented a charming, self-contained
world.
Located in the northeast corner of
Buckingham County, just off the
Richmond-to-Lynchburg stage route,
and 12 miles from New Canton on
the James River, the Institute attracted young ladies from neighboring
counties and across Virginia, from
Sussex to the south and Rockbridge
to the west. Girls traveled from North
and South Carolina, and from
Washington, D.C. to study there.
Despite the excellence of its faculty
and reputation, by 1841, the Institute
proved over-ambitious and suffered
financially.
Extravagant spending,
particularly on the beautiful building,
was blamed. Additionally, it may
have become “too” Methodist, discouraging non-Methodist fathers from
enrolling their daughters. Its relative
remoteness was yet another detractor. In 1843, burdened with debt, the
school closed, and the building was
offered for sale for $6,000. It may
have brought a mere $2,000.
Alternative suggestions for the property, including an experimental agricultural school, were put forward, but
nothing materialized.
By August 1848, Buckingham leaders had revitalized local commitment in
a woman’s college, and the Institute
reopened.
Advertising in the
Richmond Christian Advocate for the
fall session, the school would be guided
by a new President, Methodist minster
and Randolph-Macon graduate, Dr.
John C. Blackwell. Under Blackwell’s
benevolent eye, the school blossomed
again. Affectionately known as “Old
Master,” he relaxed school rules.
Talking and laughing during meals and
recess were no longer forbidden.
The Institute was re-chartered on
March 12, 1849. New stock was
issued. And into the 1850s, the school
enjoyed a hopeful renaissance, but the
old financial problems reasserted themselves. The Institute closed its doors for
the final time in 1863, in part a casualty of the war. In 1881, there were unrealized plans of reopening the building
as a summer resort to take advantage
of nearby Physick Spring. The decline
of the property was gradual, but
inevitable. The main building burned in
1906; the President’s house was the
last structure to be pulled down in
2010. Today, the grounds are a vacant
“historic district,” with nothing left to
suggest Buckingham’s pioneering
experiment in higher education for
women.
Many
families
with
deep
Buckingham roots have an ancestor or
aunt who attended the Institute. Four
of my Harris cousins, sisters Sarah,
Margaret, Hortensia, and Mary
5
from Page 4
6
Calendar from Page 3
Virginia Dehart
REALTOR®
434-581-3073
434-996-2568
Barnett Real Estate
300 Valley Street, Scottsville
Very Private Country
Setting with lots of
wildlife, 2 or 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths,
920 square feet on
five acres. Seller is
motivated. Close to Farmville, Charlottesville and
Richmond. $82,500. MLS # 487846.
Veery Attractive Country
Home, Open Floor Plan,
Living Room with Gas
Fireplace, Lots of windows, Attractive Eat-in
Kitchen, light Maple
cabinets with Black
Counters Top and Black appliances... Back Door
Opens To A Deck that over looks Many Large Walnut
Trees..The Front Porch looks To Fields. Most of The
Yard is Open in Grass, with a small stream in the
Back. Ideal for Horses..Goats .. Ideal Property for First
Time Buyer's $165,000 MLS# 478242
Great House ! Country
Living At It's Best!
Country Eat-in- Kitchen
New Cabinets and Large
Kitchen sink.... All New
Appliances ! Living Room with Fireplace, Plumbing and
Eletric updates. Walk out Basement with Lots of possibles, Flue for wood or Gas stove. Plus Five Private Acres
! $125,000 MLS# 480825
4,000 participants across 34 states
participated.
Tragically, drowning is the second
leading cause of unintended, injury
related death of children ages 1 -14
in the US. In fact, more than one in
four fatal drowning victims are children 14 and under. And, research
shows if a child doesn’t learn to swim
before the 3rd grade, they likely
never will.
The World’s Largest Swimming
Lesson was created to spread the
word that Swimming Lessons Save
Lives. For more information please
call The Woodland at the Watkins
Wellness Center, 434.392.6106
extension 253.
Government
Meetings
Buckingham County Ag.
Building
Monday, June 13: All day
Board of Supervisiors Meeting
Monday, June 27: 7 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting
Monday, July 4: All day
Holiday-Office Closed
Monday, July 11: All day
Board of Supervisiors Meeting
Monday, July 25: 7 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting
Buckingham Slate Company offers a variety of
products crafted out of our legendary Blue-Black Slate
• Roofing
• Step Treads
• Cut Flooring (Interior & Exterior)
*Numerous Patterns Available *
• Window Sills
• Wall Coping
• Flag Stone
• Stepping Stones
* SOLD BY THE PIECE OR THE PALLET *
)
Waiting for you at the Library
Hey moms, dads and
grandparents: the library
has a special program – in
addition to the Summer
Reading Program. If you
come in to look for books
or spend some time on
the Internet, and you have
with you a small group of
children, the library staff
invites children to stop
and listen to a “read
aloud” that relates to the
summer theme “Reading
Around the World,” and
has a craft ready to launch after the story. Plan to stop by and check it out!
Want to help your child?
Many books in the Buckingham Co. Public Library's collections for school age
youth carry the Accelerated
Reading sticker that provides a
grade level for the book's content.
The Buckingham County Primary
and Elementary Schools have
encouraged reading using this program and offers incentives to students.
Parents who wish to
encourage their children to read at
grade level and who have Internet access may look up titles to discover the "AR
book level" at:
http://www.arbookfind.com/default.aspx?client=HomeConnect Got questions? Ask the librarian!
See Library Page 11
www.barnettre.com
BUCKINGHAM BEACON ✦ June 10 – July 14, 2011
L IBRARY
Buckingham Slate also offers the highest quality crushed stone at
the lowest prices! Unlike some other crushed stone providers, we
are also open on Saturdays to better serve your needs. Can’t get to
us? No problem! Just give us a call at (800) 235-8921 and we can
line up local next day delivery to your home or jobsite!
• # 5 (1 1/2” - 3/4”)
• Crusher Run (3/4-Fines)
• # 2 (2 1/2” - 1”)
• #57 (1 1/4”-1/2”)
• Building Stone
• Landscaping Aggregate
• Drainfield Stone
• Driveway Stone
* SOLD BY THE TON *
Hours of Operation
Monday–Friday 7:30 AM–5:00 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM–12:00 PM
Sunday
CLOSED
715 Arvon Road
Arvonia, VA 23004
Phone (434) 581-1131
Fax (434) 581-1130
www.buckinghamslate.com
Leave a lasting impression with Buckingham Slate!
Library from Page 10
Summer reading
for honors students
High
schools
students
in
Buckingham who are enrolled in
Honors
English
classes
may
come to the
Library to
check out
copies
of
titles that
are on the
Summer
Reading
List for grades 9-12. Fuqua School
students may find titles on their
Summer Reading list at the Library,
Grown-ups Want to talk
books?
The Scottsville Book Club
meets June 21 at 6:30 pm at the
library in Scottsville. William
Saroyan and his works will be the
subject of discussion. A selection
of his works are currently available at the Scottsville Library.
Join your neighbors for a fun,
informal discussion and light
refreshments. New members
always welcome.
7
C OMMUNITY
From the editor
Local Directors of
QuickStart Tennis
QCV is pleased to announce Michelle Packer of
Fluvanna County and Rich Michaels of Buckingham County have recently
joined the QCV Board.
Lynda Harrill, QCV Founder, says, “We serve 21 counties in central Virginia.
Our organization is now two years old and we are at a point where we need to
expand our leadership to be more decentralized and get closer to our communities. Michelle Packer’s family is loaded with “Tennis DNA. Her husband Cleve,
10-year-old son Cleve, Jr. and 8-year-old daughter Madelyn, like Michelle, are
all avid tennis players. Rich Michaels is ‘Mr. Tennis’ in Buckingham County. He
helped start a QuickStart summer program for the Buckingham Recreation
Department at Ellis Acres, taught an after-school program for the 21st Century
site at Dillwyn Primary and serves as a volunteer assistant tennis coach at
Longwood University. Both Michelle and Rich share QCV’s passion for kids and
tennis, and we are fortunate to have them hop on the QuickStart bus and join
us for all the FUN!”
QuickStart Tennis of Central Virginia is an all-volunteer, grassroots
Community Tennis Association established in 2009 as a 501(c)(3) charitable
organization to promote, develop and grow QuickStart Tennis in 21 counties
and one independent city in Central Virginia for all beginners, especially underserved youth.
QCV’s Service Area includes Albemarle, Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham,
Charlotte, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Fluvanna, Greene, Greensville,
Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Mecklenburg, Nelson, Nottoway, Orange, Prince
Edward, Powhatan and Rappahannock counties and the City of Charlottesville.
Visit QCV at: www.quickstartcentral.org
After several years serving as
the editor of the Buckingham
Beacon I am taking an extended leave of absence or retiring circumstances will dictate
which. It has been my pleasure
to work with many of the fine
people, organizations and businesses of this beautiful and historical county. The Beacon is a
locally owned small business,
dependent upon advertising for
its success, and you have made
us successful. To all of you,
readers and advertisers, I offer
my thanks.
Meantime, articles and ideas
should be send directly to:
Carlos Santos at
[email protected]
Wishing you a pleasant
summer
and seasonal weather,
Laurel Greene
Arvonia Chiropractic
26401 N. James Madison Highway
Conveniently located on Rt. 15,
8/10 mi. north of Gold Hill School
✦ June 10 – July 14, 2011
Dr. Karen Cerwinski
434-581-CARE
( BUCKINGHAM BEACON
Making life
better for the many
things you do
8
COMMUNITY
Rev. Robert Parson delivers the Invocation with Charles Lewis (Marine Veteran)
Commander of Buckingham VFW in the background. All photos by Donna McRae-Jones
In Memory of Those Who Served
BY DONNA MCRAE-JONES
CONTRIBUTOR
T
Honor Guard Buckingham County JROTC
BUCKINGHAM BEACON ✦ June 10 – July 14, 2011
)
Graduating Class of 2011
he Buckingham County Ruritan Club held their 21st Memorial Day
Program on the Court House Lawn. The Buckingham High School
Students presentation of six of the county’s War Veterans with guidance
of teacher Michelle Wright was inspiring and informative.
The Soldiers’ acknowledged this year were Belton (aka Beltou) Allen
Bennett, Jr.; Robert J. H. Crow; Howard E. Anderson; William G. Murphy;
John W. Shumaker and Lewis F. Woods.
Valedictorian, Anna Spears with Salutatorian, Justin Midkiff. Photo by Sue Miles.
The Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Anna is the daughter of David and Jennifer Spears. Anna will be attending the College of William and Mary where she will be majoring in
Anthropology. Anna is a member of the National Honor Society, BETA,
founder of the Drama Club, founder and editor of the school’s newspaper, an
active Girl Scout, was on the school’s tennis team for four years, served as
captain for two years and sings in her church choir. Anna attended the
Southside Virginia Governor’s School for two years.
Justin is the son of Dale and Kathy Midkiff. Justin will be attending the
University of Virginia. He is a member of the National Honor Society, BETA,
FBLA, and senior representative of the Student Council Association. Justin
is also a junior member of the Dillwyn Volunteer Fire Department and an
alumni member of the American Legion Virginia Boys State.
Left to right: Adam Morris, Emily Spivey, and Joseph Chandler III.
Photo by Sue Miles.
Pretty Smart
Associate’s Degrees as well
During Buckingham County High School's June 4 graduation three
students were recognized for not only graduting from high school, but
also graduating with an Associate’s Degree from Southside Virginia
Community College.
10
PEOPLE
Workers for God's Gifts, Wayne Davenport, Tempy Davenport, Tammy Hunt, Nan Shows. Photo by Sue Miles.
Moss Motor Company, Inc .
CERTIFIED MASTER DEALER
Talk to the Boss @ (434) 983-2073
Come by today to Rt. 15 South of Dillwyn
www.mossmotor.com
$16,500
BUCKINGHAM BEACON ✦ June 10 – July 14, 2011
)
$18,500
Now on facebook–search Moss Motor
#2010 Toyota Camry SE
#2010 Hyundai Sonata GLS
Great gas mileage & great power!
Get all the details at mossmotor.com!
Only one in stock! Give the Boss,
Bill Lewis Moss a call today @ 983-2073!
$18,950
$16,500
#2010 Kia Forte EX
#2008 Honda Accord EX
Become a fan of the Forte and a fan of Moss Motor on
Facebook! Just search MossMotor!
Wouldn't you rather have a Honda? Come by Moss Motor
@ 15654 N James Madison Hwy & see this one!
I
t all started with a conversation with God; an unexpected
one at that. Wayne Davenport
had always been a good
Christian and throughout his life had
often prayed about how to help people. But he certainly didn’t expect
what happened to him one night in
October of 2006.
“I woke up about 4 a.m.,” he said.
“God woke me to tell me that he
wanted me to do something.”
Davenport, a man with very deep
emotions, begins to cry as he tellshis
story. “God said he wanted me to
begin to help people in need. I said
‘there ain’t no way I can do this. I
don’t have the experience or education.’” As tears flowed down his
cheeks,
Davenport
continued.
“Every time I made an excuse, God
said, ‘I’ll be with you.’”
Davenport told how he got out of
bed to process the conversation.
Finally, he shook his sleeping wife,
who groggily told him that they could
talk about it in the morning. That
advice didn’t work; Wayne insisted
that she wake so they could talk about
his conversation with God. And,
basically, that’s how Spreading God’s
Gifts began; a conversation with God
in the middle of the night.
Since that October, 2006 date,
See God Page 11
God
from Page 8
✦ June 10 – July 14, 2011
See God Page 14
( BUCKINGHAM BEACON
Wayne Davenport, with the support
of his family and friends, has been
on a mission to fulfill the desire of his
God. “We went to a local lawyer,
who helped us become incorporated,” he said. “We picked the name
Spreading God’s Gifts for our organization, after my then six year old
granddaughter, Taylor, told me that
she wanted some of God’s gifts.”
The desire to help spread the love
of God has allowed Davenport, who
is a retired building contractor, and
his organization, to reach out to the
community to aid those in need.
“The first thing we did, after we
became incorporated, was to set up
a display at Buckingham County
Day, where we handed out
brochures to publicize our program,”
he said. “We had an old fashion
‘dime toss’ to raise money for our
projects.”
Davenport has not been a stranger
to the issue of faith. “When I was
13, I was pinned to the ground when
a car fell across my back from a
loose jack.” After years of chronic
back pain, he tells of the occasion
where a man of faith laid his hand on
his back and prayed. “He laid his
hand right on the spot that had
caused me years of suffering and
started praying. I could feel my
bones moving in my back. When the
man said ‘amen,’ it snapped back.
An hour later I could dance. I’ve
never had any back pain since then.”
Davenport also spoke of his brother, Jimmy (who recently passed
away). “Some years ago, Jimmy
died on the operating table for eight
minutes,” he said. “Jimmy told me
later that he had had a conversation
with God, who told him it was not
time to go. All of those situations
caused me to have a strong relationship with God.”
The first year of the creation of
Spreading God’s Gifts saw over
$10,000.00 being given in aid to
Buckingham citizens. “We’ve paid
electric bills, given out gas vouchers
for cancer patients, bought groceries
for people involved in automobile
accidents and generally assisted anyone who had a legitimate need,” said
Davenport. The organization, which
has officers and a board of directors,
rarely gives out cash. “We meet
once a month to review cases that
come to us,” he said. The committee meets on the second Tuesday of
every month, at 6:30 p.m., at
Taylor’s
Convenience
Store.
“Anyone can attend the meeting,”
says Davenport. “We’re glad to have
them. We can use all the members
we can get as it will help us spread
the gifts of God.”
The non-profit program has grown
11
12
SCHOOLS
Achievement Awards Celebrated
Buckingham County High School celebrated achievements of their student body at their annual
Academic Honors and Awards Program in May. Senior honor graduates and students who had made
honor roll throughout the school year were recognized, along with students who were noted for outstanding performance in high school and Career and Tech classes. Dr. Lorretta Jones, Associate Professor of
Lynchburg College’s School of Education and Human Development, was the guest speaker at the event.
Johnathan Dick (not pictured) is the Virginia Boys’ State representative. Johnathan is sponsored by the
Buckingham County Ruritan Club. Photos by Sue Miles
Dr. Jones is shown congratulating two students who were
recognized that night. Liza Serafin (left) will represent
Buckingham County High School at the Hugh O’Bryan
Leadership Seminar at James Madison University this summer. Michaela Leatherwood (right) will be the school’s Virginia
Girls’ State representative at Longwood University. Michaela
is sponsored by the Buckingham County Woman’s Club and
the Buckingham County Lions Club. Photo by Sue Miles
Buckingham County High School is proud to acknowledge the good work of members of its 2011
senior class. Over 2,000 hours of volunteer service work has been completed by these outstanding
young people, just in their senior year alone. From volunteering with the county’s fire department, working on fundraising activities for cancer patients, to tutoring children, these individuals represent what is
good about the county’s youth. Left to right: Joseph Chandler, Adam Morris, Latavia Anderson, James
Burmaster, Leanne Ragland, Devante Foster, Aria Monopoli, Victoria Slovek, Suzanne Aly, Cody Devall
and Morgan Meek. Not pictured: Justin Agnor, Molly Allen, Giovanna DeRose, Danielle LeSueur, Justin
Midkiff, and Joshua Saxon.
James Burmaster is a recipient
of
the
Emerging
Leader
Scholarship from the Virginia Tech
Corps of Cadets Alumni in the
amount of $8000.00. Stephanie
Dick, who is also attending Tech in
the fall, received the Pamplin
Leader Award, which is presented
annually to a top student from
Virginia public high schools.
Morgan Meek will attend James
Madison University under an Army
ROTC scholarship in the amount of
$40,000.00.
BUCKINGHAM BEACON ✦ June 10 – July 14, 2011
)
Buckingham seniors were recognized by various community
groups at the school’s scholarship night. Leanne Ragland received
the CADRE Scholarship. Devante Foster and Larnesha Harris
received Project Discovery Scholarships. The Buckingham County
Woman’s Club awarded Anna Spears a scholarship. Not pictured
are Evan Austin, who received the Retired Teachers Scholarship
and Justin Midkiff who received the Straight Street Scholarship.
Calvary Christian School 2010-2011
Principal's Honor Roll
BY M RS. G ERI N ELSON, PRINCIPAL
CONTRIBUTOR
Second Grade
Jaya DeBruhl
Jared Schrock
Third Grade
Cody Fulford
Cheyenne Gough
Trip Kohr
Calvary Christian School's 2010-2011
Honor Roll
Fifth Grade
Bradley Banton
Daniel Layman
Cheyanne Schrock
First Grade
Austin Lenherr
Ciara Race
Sixth Grade
Shawn Gough
DeMontae Stovall
Junior High School
Carter Hall
Nathan Layman
Makayla Pace
Second Grade
Griffen Brewer
Jr. High School
Chris Drumheller
Jacob Snoddy
Sloan Tapscott
Tabitha Gough
High School
Abby Jones
Dallas Tapscott
Matthew Welsh
Fifth Grade
Desireé Brewer
Jordan Turner
To qualify for honor rolls is not easy! Students receiving Principal's Honor Roll at Calvary Christian School must maintain an average
of 95 or better in their academic subjects and receive no "C's". Students receiving Honor Roll at Calvary Christian School must maintain an average of 89 or better in their academic subjects and receive no "D's". Congratulations to all!
13
Fork Union
Community Market
YOUR HOME TOWN
Check out our
bargain wall-New items every week
Fresh Produce
and Dairy
Hours:
Mon–Sat 8-8
Sunday 8-7
Full Service Deli and Daily Lunch Specials
Fork Union Community Market
Friday Night Dinner and A Movie Special
$22.99*see store for details
We accept:
EBT & WIC
Play the
Includes 8 pc Chicken, 2 sides, 4 rolls, 2 - 2 liter pepsi products,
IGA Ice Cream, popcorn, and a movie rental.
LOOK for our Saturday All Day Super Specials.
VIRGINIA LOTTERY
ABC off
We sell
BARTLETT FEEDS
ARE AVAILABLE
FOR YOUR
LIVESTOCK
NEEDS
Propane
Some Exclusions Apply.
UPS Package Express Drop Off Center
Fab 5 Meat DEAL--
Pick 5 Selected Meat Items
for only $19.99
Huge Savings!
Specials Good Thru 6-30-11
Not responsible for typographical errors. Limited quantities. Store may have right to limit some quantities.
Located on Rt.15 South • Fork Union, Va.
Phone: 434-842-1031
✦ June 10 – July 14, 2011
We Sell
Hunting and
Fishing
Liscense
is Senior Appreciation Day.
Take 5% off your Grocery order
if you are over the age of 55.
( BUCKINGHAM BEACON
Ice Cold Beer
& A Great
Selection of
Wines
Tuesday
God from Page 11
14
in the past five years, assisting a large number of people. “Usually someone
calls us and tells us about a person in need,” says Davenport. “Once we’ve
made contact with that person, we have them complete an application, which
the board reviews to determine how to help.” The success of the program is
demonstrated by a simple example. “We had someone who needed appliances,” says Davenport’s daughter, Tammy Hunt, who is a board member. “I
put the request on Facebook and by that afternoon we had gotten more than
we needed.”
The group has built numerous wheelchair ramps, provided gift certificates for
people in accidents, and was instrumental in helping the Buckingham Middle
School BETA Club with their successful Christmas food drive. “We’ve provided supplies for after-school programs and sponsored a science fair.” Obviously
Spreading God’s Gifts does limit itself in how it helps the county.
The committee works hard to raise money in order to provide help to the
community. “We have spaghetti dinners as well as similar fundraising activities,” says Davenport. “We have a number of people on our waiting list, but
we need funds to help them.”
Davenport admits that it can be quite difficult to hear someone’s story.
“Some call and are so broken. They obviously hate to ask for money and help,”
Dillwyn Pharmacy
“Your Family Independent Pharmacy”
Prescriptions – Sundries
Pharmacist and Owner
Michael T. Towler
Dillwyn, VA 23936
Phone 983-2013
Nights & Holidays – 983-3823
“Where Your Health Is Always More Important To Us Than Your Purchase!!”
he says. “There are many people in the community who have lost their jobs
and up until now, have never had to ask for help.”
Spreading God’s Gifts board officers consist of Davenport, his wife Tempy,
Nan and Jud Shows, Barry and Linda Miles, his daughter Tammy, along with
other members. “We greatly appreciate Taylor’s Convenience Story allowing
us to meet at their place every month,” says Davenport. The group’s symbol
is a dove and cross (designed by Bill
Gough, Davenport’s son-inlaw). “When I had that
If you’d like to volunteer
talk with God, I had in
to
be
part of the Spreading God’s
my head something a
lot bigger,” admits
Gifts organization or would like to
Davenport. “But
donate money to help them in their
God told me to do
efforts to help others, contact Wayne
it in his time.
Davenport at 434-98-2269.
He’s taught me
patience.
You can also contact board member,
Davenport would
Tammy Hunt,
like to bring in
at [email protected].
someone who knows
how to work with nonprofit organizations.
“If
anybody knows how to run an
agency, I’d like to talk to them,” he says.
“I have the desire and will to help but not the knowledge in how to best make
this organization have the impact that I would like.”
Davenport and Spreading God’s Gifts continue to provide services to the people of the community. A recent fundraiser for a Buckingham resident who has
major health bills and no insurance brought together people from both
Buckingham and Cumberland counties.
“We welcome donations and new members,” says Davenport. “We are a
non-profit, interdenominational Christian organization with the will and desire
to help those in need. We receive no government support and rely solely on
donations.”
No doubt the conversation between Davenport and God continues on a daily
basis. He and the members of Spreading God’s Gifts demonstrate that there
are many people in Buckingham who believe in helping those in need.
BUCKINGHAM BEACON ✦ June 10 – July 14, 2011
)
Where can I pick up my Buckingham Beacon?
The Courhouse Cafe (Arts Center)
The Spa 794 Main St.
Farmers Bank
Luckys Texaco
Depot Diner
BB&T Bank
Pino’s Restaurant
Vance RE/Hair Corral
New Images Hair Design
Teresa’s Place
Wise Ridge Country Store
Sheppards Exxon
Bates Market
Buckihgam Co. High School
EXXON
Buckingham Co. Admin. Bldg.
Herbert Maxey’s Office
Nancy’s Gifts
Ducks Corner
Route 20 Market
Midway Market
Glenmore Store
Howardsville Store
Re-Store N’ Station
Spanglers
P&S Market
Review Office
By The River Restaurant
New Canton Post Office
Byrants Grocery
Jeffery Oil/The Shed, Rt. 15
Ella’s Salon
Jax Mini Mart (inside rack)
Jax Mini Mart (outside box)
Jax Restaurant
Arvonia Post Office
Arvonia Chiropractic
Cental Va Health
Ellington Gas
Bank of America, Dillwyn
Jenkins Exxon
Buckingham Library
Dillwyn Pharmacy
Real Estate III (inside)
Real Estate III
(outside)
Cheryl’s Barber Shop/Beauty Salon
Robert Snoddy Attorney Office
State Farm Office
Acie Allen Attorney office
Dillwyn Laundry
Farmers Foods (inside rack )
Farmers Foods
(outside box)
Heritage Hall
Martha Jefferson Clinic
Fast Mart Valero
Fast Mart Auto
Food Lion
China Restaurant
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
SERVICES
TONY'S TREE SERVICE: Tree care professional. Takedowns, tree removal, wood chipping,
pruning, and much more. Licensed and
insured. Free estimates. Serving the Central
Virginia area. Call Nick at 804-314-2038.
FOR SALE
DRIVEWAY STONE: 9-ton Slate Crush Run
$150, Stone $200 (Average). Includes delivery and spread. Call 434-420-2002.
MASSANUTTEN
TIMESHARE:
15K.
Maintenance fees for 2011 already paid.
434-962-2839
Ready to build, $23,000.00 Owner agent. Call
for more information 434-581-3073.
EVENTS
MODULAR HOMES: Why pay more? We will
beat any modular pricing! Deal direct with the
owner. Phone 434-392-2211 or web
www.haleyshomesinc.com
REAL ESTATE
THREE 2-ACRE LOTS: New survey, perked,
hard surface road frontage, replanted pine.
COURTHOUSE CAFÉ: Mothers & Fathers,
bring a copy of this ad in for a free desert, 1
per person with the purchase of a meal.
Takeout available. New hours 10am-2pm.
Courthouse Café’s Missions Fundraising
Buffet features a special dinner theme each
week. Please call for details on mission’s goal
and menu. 434-969-1157
15
EVENTS
LAKE MONTICELLO FIRE & RESCUE BINGO:
$1,000 Jackpot every Thursday. New
Progressive Game. Doors Open at 5:30pm,
Early Bird 6:45pm. 10 Slice Road, Palmyra
(Off Rt. 600, near CVS) Questions? Call 434591-1018.
•••
SERVICE DIRECTORY OF BUSINESSES
A-PLUS BOOKKEEPING
& TAX SERVICE
38 Years
Look for new items on
Etsy
NEW Artwork and Crafts available online at:
OF
Experience
WF Martin Plumbing
Heating & AC Repair
Small Appliance Repair • Affordable Rates
Checks, Cash and Credit Cards Accepted
ACCREDITED BY THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
Cell: (434) 547-8650
(434) 581-3637
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am - 5 pm • Sat 8 am-2 pm
Sun Closed (except for emergencies)
Andersonville
Small Engine Repair
1203 Dixie Hill Rd., Dillwyn, VA 23936
DAVID E. KNOWSLEY • Cell 434-315-3589
Pick-up & Delivery Service Available
Mention this ad and get
10% off labor
HOURS:
Mon., Tues., Thur., Fri.....9am-6pm
Wednesday, Saturday......9am-3pm
GRACE ROBELEN, EA
434-392-6229
www.APlusTaxHelp.net
Open all year
in Buckingham County
to help businesses and individuals
save money and time
FUEL COMPANY
ww.tigerfuel.com
1-434-983-2718
1-877-529-5556
Scottsville ,VA 24590
PROPANE– FUEL OIL
GASOLINE – KEROSENE
Buckingham’s First NATE certified company
•
24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
AUTOMATIC FUEL DELIVERY
CONVENIENT BUDGET PLAN
•
SERVING CENTRAL VIRGINIA
WITH QUALITY PRODUCTS
AND SERVICES
434-960-8179
Sales & service of all brands
SUMMERS COMING SOON
IS YOUR A/C READY?
Call Steve to have your system
checked today. Be sure to ask
About our $99 tune up special.
at the Buckingham Arts Center
434-993-2804 or 800-622-2804
Sales • Service • Installations
Proceeds will fund mission trips for
the Mast’s to go to Inner City,
New York; Arizona Indian Tribes and
local mission needs.
434-969-1157 for info.
New Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
My cup runneth over. Psalms 24:3
Located on Rt. 652,Bridgeport Road in Arvonia.
Call 581-3328
For all of your crushed stone needs using all the right
equipment to make our customers a good quality
crushed stone since 1947.
We offer 1/2 crusher run, 25;26 crusher run, #2's,
#5's, #57's and 21-A.
OPEN 6:30-4:00 Monday-Friday
AVAILABLE by request on Saturdays
PRICES: Services Directory–3 month package– ( 1/16 page $20/month–larger sizes also available)
✦ June 10 – July 14, 2011
Making Central
Virginia More
Comfortable For
Over 20 Years!
Open Tuesday nights 5-7pm,
with an all-you-can-eat
buffet for $10.
Takeout available
( BUCKINGHAM BEACON
The
Courthouse cafe
16
$19,200 per
year
Rental Income
BUCKINGHAM BEACON ✦ June 10 – July 14, 2011
)
$149,000
$9,000
$9,900
• 43 Ac
Crumptown R
$94,500