SALLIE MOWBRAY AND CALVIN BACHRACK HONORED AT ANNUAL 2015 BUCKINGHAM COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS DINNER
The Buckingham Chamber of Commerce, in 2003, began honoring county residents who have unselfishly contributed their time and talents to the greater community. At the annual Chamber dinner each January, two awards are presented, the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Volunteer of the Year awards. If you know of someone deserving of either of the awards below, please send your letter to the Buckingham Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 951, Dillwyn VA 23936.
Nominee Sallie Mowbray: Buckingham Chamber Volunteer of the Year
Submitted by Martha Louis
What is a volunteer ? Webster says it is a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task without being paid.
I will add to that by saying it is a person in this case who has a huge heart and a need to share it with her neighbors and friends .
The person I am nominating for Volunteer of the Year is not a stranger if you live in Buckingham County. She pops up everywhere there is a need.She is the real deal. She as they say…walks the walk. I recently had someone say , oh, I work full time – I could never find the time to volunteer. Isn’t that just for retired people? After I calmed myself down, I said no that is not true. The good Lord gives us 24 silver dollars each day and how we spend them is up to us.
I work closely with this lady as she is a member of the Historic Buckingham Board of Directors and Vice President of that organization. Her usual question is “ What do you need me to bring” or What do you need help with? Just in our organization I can always depend on her to be at almost all of Historic Buckingham’s event s – even if she can only stay a little while because she is playing music for someone funeral or helping out with some other fundraiser. She is a tireless volunteer for groups like Anti-litter, Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, and more. She plays piano for Mt. Zion Baptist Church. And I hear that she is the maker of the a famous Rum Cake. Anyone in here had the pleasure of that cake?
In conclusion, I would like to nominate Sallie Mowbray as the Buckingham Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year …an honor long overdue.
I present to you: SALLIE MOWBRAY!
Bob Toney for Lifetime Achievement Award
Submitted by Betty
I would like to nominate Calvin Bachrack for Lifetime Achievement Award.
As those of you who know Calvin will agree, he hates to be the center of attention or have people give him “at-a-boys” for all of the things he does.
Calvin looks after a lot of organizations in the country from the fire departments to churches to non-profit groups to people who simply need a hand up. I have seen the stacks of Girl Scout cookies he buys from every little girl who stops by, to the banners and signs at events he does for no charge-and nothing in return. In his words “no big deal”.
Calvin sponsors ads in every publication that passes his way and he places multiple ads under his different businesses in many of them.
One only has to go to the Gene Dixon Park to see Calvin’s work. There are signs everywhere done by him and redone by him for no money.
In one family’s darkest hour he stepped forward and offered housing and power bills for a year. Simply because he too felt the family’s pain and stress.
People like Calvin are few and far between. Giving back above and beyond and hating every moment someone talks about it. I have spoken with many a person and everyone will say there is no one like Calvin. The world could use people like him who care, really care about their fellow man today, tomorrow and all of the tomorrows ahead of them. He deserves to be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award because that is how he lives his life – caring about fellow man’s life.
First Annual Buckingham Chamber of Commerce Photo Contest a Wild Success!
The idea for a photo contest was originally suggested to the Buckingham Chamber of Commerce by Rebecca Cobb, Zoning Administrator for Buckingham County. She felt it would be a good way to obtain photos for both the Buckingham Chamber and Buckingham County website. A committee was formed in April, and rules and regulations were determined, and it began to be advertised through the Buckingham Chamber, Facebook, flyers and word of mouth. The deadline for submitting photos was Aug 15th. Judging was done outside of Buckingham and the winners were honored at the Buckingham Chamber picnic. The grand prize was $50.00, with ribbons given in each category to 2nd and 3rd place winners.
There have already been a number of inquiries about this year’s contest. Entries will be accepted from May 1st to Aug 15th for this year’s contest. The photos must be taken in Buckingham County, and both the Chamber and Buckingham County must be given permission to use them. Last year’s categories were Landscape/Rural Image, Points of Interest, Events (local festivals, sporting events, charity events, etc ) and Wildlife/Domestic animals. We will have the applications/rules ready to distribute possibly at the March membership meeting.
The winners last year (some with multiple photos) were Meghan Allen, Chris Anderson, Nancy Owen, Phyllis Senn and Betty Shapiro. For an application and/or rules for this years’ contest, call the Buckingham Chamber at 983-2372 or e-mail Sandra Moss at sandrafmoss@yahoo.com.
B.A.S….170 & Going Stronger!
Submitted by Kristen Queen, Program Director
The Buckingham Active Seniors (B.A.S.) group was formed in late 2010 by a core group of members that wanted more opportunities for area seniors to have an engaging, active outlet that met the needs of senior citizens in our community. This small group of about 20 members has now grown today in what is a membership of over 170 members! The B.A.S. has the largest active membership of any seniors group outside of corporate (J.A.B.A.) entities operating within a 5 county radius. The B.A.S. members have continuously strived to work with the Buckingham County Dept. of Parks and Recreation to offer the best opportunities for area seniors as possible, and looks forward to the continued growth and development of the program. The B.A.S. is run through the County Recreation Department, led by program director Kristen Queen, Assistant Director of Buckingham Parks & Recreation. The B.A.S. also consists of Board members that include current Chairman Dot Ragland, Secretary Carol Luke, Treasurer Naomi Gause, and additional committee members.
The Buckingham Active Seniors (B.A.S.) comprises of senior citizens age 50+ that reside in or nearby Buckingham County, and is FREE to join. The B.A.S. holds monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 1:00pm at the V.F.W. Hall located on Rt. 60. Each month there is a specific theme to take part in. Themes have included Valentines, St Patrick’s Day, Funny Hat, Cinco De Mayo, Annual Outdoor Picnic, Country Western, Patriotic, Luau, and Halloween. Annually, in November the B.A.S. hosts a Thanksgiving Luncheon as we end the year. At each month’s meeting formal program business is discussed, followed by an informative program, activity, or guest speaker. Members also participate in group crafts and activities after each meeting that is member led by those wishing to share their skills and talents.Members have also formed a recreational bowling group that attends Main St. Lanes in Farmville for bowling outings at least once per month. There is also a group that visits nursing homes, and participates in community services based activities. We are planning to offer exercise classes for seniors as well, and are looking into expanding with more programs in 2015 with some exciting new possibilities in store.
There are no annual membership fees, or dues, but there are costs for special events or trips taken, but these fees are kept as low as possible to ensure that every member can afford to participate. We take special care to take into account all the needs of our senior citizen population. The B.A.S. members take several trips throughout the year. Past trips have included a trip to Richmond Capitol, Virginia State Fair, Lewis Ginter Gardens & Holiday Light Tour, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Washington D.C. National Mall & Potomac River boat tour, Natural Bridge, Poplar Forrest & D-Day Memorial, Riverside Dinner Theatre, local day trips, and McGuire’s Veteran’s Hospital to deliver donations members collected. The B.A.S. also participates in community service projects that include a dedication flower garden that was installed at Ellis Acres Memorial Park and is maintained by the group, and members also volunteer throughout the community.
As the demographics change we will continue to see a growing number of seniors that are looking for fun, active programming that puts their needs first. This creates an interesting challenge for those of us in the recreational field, for what meets the needs of seniors today will be different than those of the seniors of tomorrow. This is one reason the B.A.S. strives to have a diverse offering of programs and activities, and looks only to further expand as the needs change for the upcoming seniors generations. It is interesting to note that over the next 35 years as the “Boomer” generation ages, we will have for the first time more senior citizens involved in recreational/leisure activities than youth. The ability to recognize these coming trends affords the Buckingham Recreation Department the opportunities to adapt and expand our programming for a very diverse demographic sector in our community.
New members are always welcome, so come and attend a meeting on a second Tuesday as this is a fantastic time to come see what we are all about!
ANNUAL EVENTS
Historic Buckingham Inc. invites you to Annual Spring Meeting
April 27th 2:30pm at Brown’s Chapel
Fall “Stew” Membership meeting
Sept. 18th, 2014 at 5:30pm at The Historic Village at Lee Wayside