Policy on the #NNK

With the new year comes the energy and opportunity for change in community engagement, public participation, and leadership and governance. My plan is to present suggestions for policy and practice modifications (improvements?) to Northumberland County elected and appointed leaders. Suggested changes are to the bylaws, adding content to the website, and improving public engagement. You’re invited to join. I’ll submit the final document to the parties Friday, December 5. If you are interested in participating in the creation of this set of recommendations and/or sign on to the letter to the supes, send your comments by December 1. Bylaws On January 8, 2026, the Northumberland County Board of Supervisors will hold its first meeting of the year. The agenda will include organizational elements such as electing the chair and vice chair, approving the bylaws, and approving the meeting sked. Some version of the current bylaws (PDF) will be voted on at this meeting. I suggest t...

There’s a new place to connect online: r/NorthernNeck . Ask questions, share interesting articles and pics, strategize about bringing back Northern Neck Ginger Ale, and try to figure out together how to address the loss of treed acres in this magical part of the world. Head over now!

In light of the recent horse and buggy accidents in our area, the Board of Supervisors is deeply concerned about the safety of all who share our roads. These incidents underscore the urgent need to evaluate and improve traffic safety measures—especially in areas where motor vehicles and horse-drawn buggies frequently interact. The supes’ special meeting takes place Thursday, November 13 at 6:00 pm at the county offices (101 Court Circle, Warsaw, Public Meeting Room). The public is encouraged to attend to share ideas, concerns, and recommendations. In the FB post , the supes say they are especially interested in ideas related to: Road signage and visibility improvements Speed limits and enforcement Public awareness and education Infrastructure changes (e.g., buggy lanes, lighting, etc.) Any other practical safety measures Those unable to attend the meeting should email Hope Mothershead, County Administrator ...

Virginia State Parks has launched Ranger Conservation Corps , an engaging initiative aimed at nurturing the future leaders in outdoor recreation, conservation and park management. We believe in empowering the next generations and providing them with the tools they need to make a positive impact on our natural world. RCC integrates the established successes of the Virginia Service and Conservation Corps and the Park Ranger Career Development Program, thereby fostering a sustainable legacy of professional training and career advancement in conservation. The website is chock full of info. Take a look and then apply in December .

Head over to the r/foodstamps subreddit for the November 6 SNAP update . Keep checking this post for updates on the court order requiring full benefits be paid. Even if full benefits are distributed, the high cost of food makes the benefits buy less. Meaning: Food pantries are still very much needed . Refer to Ways to donate to food programs for help finding the best way for you to help feed your neighbors.

Head over to the r/foodstamps subreddit for the November 6 SNAP update . Even though partial benefits will be distributed, the high cost of food makes the benefits buy less. Meaning: Food pantries are still very much needed . Refer to Ways to donate to food programs for help finding the best way for you to help feed your neighbors.

*NOV. 4 UPDATE* - Government Shutdown and SNAP has the latest. Stay tuned to the foodstamps subreddit for additional updates.

Phasing out foam: An information hub for consumers and restaurants : Small (less than 20 locations) businesses will implement the polystyrene ban July 1, 2026. That's good news for the Northern Neck and the environment. “Living in the Liberated Landscape: My Yard” free webinar, November 20, 7:00 pm : Learn about ecological garden design in the free Wild Ones webinar. Learn more and register . Beyond the Donate Button: Storytelling Strategies for Year-End Giving , November 12. “In this webinar, we’ll explore how nonprofits can use storytelling to engage both individual donors and foundations by blending narrative, data, and design. The teams from IndieTech Solutions and Communications Shop will share best practices for transforming donation pages and annual reports into powerful storytelling tools, featuring real examples from nonprofit partners.” Free. 27 Free Nonprofit Webinars for November 2025 (Personify Wild Apricot) 56 Humanities Councils and How They Are ...

For obvious reasons, the focus of late has been on people and how they will fare without SNAP and with food and other prices the way they are. But focusing on people means ensuring their food suppliers―food pantries, 24/7 little food pantries, community dinners, and the like―have the food and other resources they need to keep the food flowing. Here are some ways to help: Monetary donations to Healthy Harvest Food Bank directed to a particular food pantry or county are the gold standard . The food bank’s buying power is turbocharged by design and this matters a lot now. HHFB is able to buy food items such as rice and canned vegetables at a substantial discount and pass that on to their food pantry partners. Think about it: Would you rather spend $0.20 on a can of corn or $0.59? (These are made up numbers to illustrate the point, but I do know that meat is available to food pantries from HHFB for $0.19/lb.) Head over to the food bank’s Find Help page for a map and/or list of fo...

Free food Free Food Thanksgiving Pop-up Mobile Pantry, Saturday, November 15, 9:00 - 11:00 am, Kinsale : Hundreds of Blessing Bags filled with non-perishable items, desserts, fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, frozen turkey. First come, first served until all items are gone. Location: New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 3695 Kings Mill Rd, Kinsale. Sponsored by Sowers Of Hope and Jospeh’s House. Thanksgiving Giveaway Free Food Drive Through, Sunday, November 16, 8:00 - 10:00 am, Warsaw : Hundreds of blessing bags until gone. Turkeys, hams, perishable, non-perishable items, and much more. Location: Rappahannock High School (parking lot), 6914 Richmond Rd, Warsaw. Sponsored by Sowers Of Hope, Jospeh’s House. MCVRS Thanksgiving Dinner, Wednesday, November 26, pickup Noon - 3:00 pm : Residents of Northumberland County aged 75 and older and living in the middle part of the county may get a free traditional Thanksgiving meal. Registration by November 21 is required. Call (804) 456-81...