Community
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Throw the Switch (officially) November 23rd
While many things are different in 2020, one of the region’s favorite events will return: Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights. This year’s show will run November 23, 2020, through January 10, 2021 (closed Thanksgiving and Dec. 24 & 25).
Safety is the top priority as the Garden makes appropriate adjustments to GardenFest during this time of COVID-19. This year’s GardenFest is designed so small groups of friends and family can relax, have fun and make special memories in a magical outdoor setting.
“Our staff and volunteers know how important Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights is to the community,” says Interim Executive Director Kim Dove. “Although it’s a challenging time, we’re committed to offering the best display and experience possible given the challenges of COVID-19 and the Garden’s focus on safety.”
TICKETS: All tickets must be prepurchased before coming to the Garden. They are available online ONLY. Tickets are limited and have a 30-minute arrival time window.
Due to the governor’s new mandate and COVID-19 restrictions, the number of visitors permitted at Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at any given time has been substantially reduced. In an effort to allow as many people as possible to see GardenFest, we are asking guests to limit their visit this year to one hour. With this year’s exhibition being all outdoors, we think an hour will be ample time for most to view the lights. Thank you, in advance, for your understanding and patience as we navigate these new restrictions together.
SAFETY: Masks are required for all guests over age 10. There are separate entry and exit points and social distancing protocols.
ALL OUTDOORS, INCLUDING (NEW!) MODEL TRAINS
This year’s show is all outdoors. Thousands of lights line garden paths and twinkle in trees under the night sky. The Garden is highlighting displays from previous GardenFests, allowing guests to search for favorite forms, including giant flowers, the peacock, unicorn and dragon. New this year is an outdoor model train display. Guests can look for the trains chugging around the Garden Keeper’s Cottage in the Children’s Garden. (Please note: a number of facilities and activities from previous years make physical distancing challenging and are not part of this year’s show, but should return next year.) Dining and shopping with special safety protocols continue to be a part of the GardenFest experience. Please check Garden’s website for more details, including safety protocols and updates about Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights.BEST LIGHTS CONTEST: For the third year in a row, the Garden is in the running for USA Today’s 10 Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the nation. People can vote daily through Monday, Dec. 7 at noon. Winners will be announced Dec. 18. The Garden placed fourth and second in 2018 and 2019 respectively. The link to vote is: https://bit.ly/VOTEGardenFest
Community
Reedy Creek Access Could be Limited on Wednesday
Work will start at 9:30 AM and work should continue for a few hours. This will limit your access to Reedy Creek, and there may be periods of zero access.
From James River Parks.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, 3/29) Norfolk Southern is going to be doing repair work on the Reedy Creek Crossing. They will start at 9:30 AM and work should continue for a few hours. This will limit your access to Reedy Creek, and there may be periods of zero access.
Events
Maymont prepares for Dominion Energy Family Easter with call for volunteers
The event, taking place on April 8th from 9 am to 3 pm, is expected to draw in thousands of guests who will enjoy a day filled with activities, games, crafts, live entertainment, and an opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny.
Maymont, Richmond’s beloved Victorian estate, is gearing up for the largest single-day volunteer event of the year, Dominion Energy Family Easter. The event, taking place on April 8th from 9 am to 3 pm, is expected to draw in thousands of guests who will enjoy a day filled with activities, games, crafts, live entertainment, and an opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny.
With an expanded Community Zone featuring local heroes and helpers, three stages for performances, and a mini-tour of the Maymont Mansion, this year’s Dominion Energy Family Easter is bigger and better than ever.
Maymont is calling for volunteers to assist with various tasks throughout the day and make the event a success. Volunteers will work in four-hour shifts starting at 6:30 am, 8 am, 11 am, or 2 pm, either greeting guests or assisting with activities, games, and crafts. Volunteers will also help set up and clean up. Maymont welcomes youth volunteers, but those under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Volunteering as a group is a great opportunity to give back to the community and have fun at the same time. Families or groups of friends are encouraged to volunteer together and help make the day unforgettable for thousands of guests. Those interested in volunteering can sign up here.
Community
Library of Virginia Honors Deaf History Month With a Talk and Exhibition on the History of a Shenandoah County Deaf Village and Shared Signing Community
Between 1740 and 1970, Lantz Mills, Virginia, was home to many families with a mix of hearing and deaf parents and at least one or more deaf siblings.
In honor of April as Deaf History Month, the Library of Virginia will present a talk on April 22 and a traveling panel exhibition running April 1–30 on the history of the Lantz Mills deaf village and shared signing community in Shenandoah County, Virginia. Both are free.
Between 1740 and 1970, Lantz Mills, Virginia, was home to many families with a mix of hearing and deaf parents and at least one or more deaf siblings. When both the hearing and deaf members of a locality use a shared visual language to communicate, that is known as a shared signing community. Those familiar with deaf culture may know that Martha’s Vineyard, the island off Massachusetts, was home to a shared signing community where 25% of the population was deaf. But few know that Virginia had a deaf village and shared signing community in Shenandoah County.
The Lantz Mills Deaf Village panel exhibition has appeared at Shenandoah County Public Library and the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People. It will visit the Eastern Shore Public Library in June. The exhibition is available for display at public libraries and other cultural facilities. For more information, contact Barbara Batson at [email protected] or 804.692.3721.
The talk and exhibition are made possible in part with federal funding provided through the Library Services and Technology Act administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information about the commonwealth’s deaf culture, visit the Virginia Deaf Culture Digital Library at https://deaflibva.org.
DEAF HISTORY MONTH TALK | The Lantz Mills Shared Signing Community
Saturday, April 22, 2023 | 10:00–11:00 a.m. | Free
Place: Lecture Hall, Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219
Registration suggested: https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/10478065
In honor of Deaf History Month, the Library presents a talk exploring the history of the Lantz Mills deaf village in Shenandoah County, Virginia, by deaf historian and advocate Kathleen Brockway, who is also a Lantz Mills deaf village descendant.
DEAF HISTORY MONTH PANEL EXHIBITION | Lantz Mills Deaf Village
April 1–30, 2023 | Monday–Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Free
Place: Lobby & Pre-function Hall, Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219
In honor of Deaf History Month, the Library presents a panel exhibition exploring the history of the Lantz Mills deaf village in Shenandoah County, Virginia. This six-panel traveling exhibition features the history of prominent deaf villagers such as the Hollar and Christian families, deaf members’ involvement in local businesses, and even a budding romance within the community. Each panel includes a QR code that links to ASL interpretation of the text featured. A booklet about the topic written by deaf historian and Lantz Mills deaf village descendant Kathleen Brockway will be available to exhibition visitors while supplies last.
Photo of the Day: I think that guy with the camera likes our outfits!
Reedy Creek Access Could be Limited on Wednesday
Photo of the Day: RVA
Maymont prepares for Dominion Energy Family Easter with call for volunteers
Library of Virginia Honors Deaf History Month With a Talk and Exhibition on the History of a Shenandoah County Deaf Village and Shared Signing Community
Husband-and-wife duo bringing new restaurant concept to former Mill on MacArthur space
Richmond Falcon Cam is Back
New full-service commercial kitchen, fast casual food hall opens Wednesday
Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU’s bevy of spring exhibitions run the gamut
