Gloucester-Mathews Gazette-Journal

09/10/2025

Gloucesters from around the world celebrated their heritage on Saturday via an online exchange, which was held at noon here in Gloucester, Virginia (specifically at historic Abingdon Episcopal Church, White Marsh).

Also taking part were representatives from Gloucester, U.K.; Gloucester Township, N.J., and Gloucester, Mass. At the end of the half-hour exchange, County Administrator Carol Steele (standing in background at right) invited people from the audience to address the other Gloucester communities.

Here, Lourdes Travieso-Parker gets her chance to greet the others online. Also pictured waiting their turn in line are, at left, Donald Parker and Linda Wahlman.

09/10/2025

“I’ve been fostering for 10 years now.”

Earlier this summer, Chrissie Norman accepted the role of foster care coordinator at the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society. Though she is new to the area, she has been working in animal welfare since graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in December 2015.

“I never really looked back,” said Norman.

“I’ve been fostering for 10 years now.” Earlier this summer, Chrissie Norman accepted the role of foster care coordinator at the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society. Though…

09/10/2025

Filled with soft purrs and purposeful meows, cats in the workplace add a unique twist to the working world. In this series, we explore the lives of local cats who rule over their domains with trusted humans by their sides.

Nearly seven-year-old Tabby cat Lola has called the Mathews County Visitor & Information Center, also known as Sibley’s General Store, both home and work for nearly two years.

“She’s friendly 99 percent of the time,” said MCVIC executive director and Lola companion Kat Larkin.

Read all about Lola and her journey to Sibley's in this week's paper 🐾

09/10/2025

The Gloucester County School Board voted unanimously to move forward with a before- and after-school care program for Gloucester County Public Schools, in partnership with the YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas, during its regular monthly meeting held Tuesday in the T.C. Walker Education Center auditorium.

“We know that the community has a limited number of current care options,” said GCPS Chief Financial Officer Dwight Duren.

Division employees and other residents have expressed a need for a before- and after-school care program for their school-age children.

“We’re hoping that this will be able to help us reclaim some of our homeschooling children that are in the community,” continued Duren.

The Gloucester County School Board voted unanimously to move forward with a before- and after-school care program for Gloucester County Public Schools, in partnership with…

09/10/2025

Mathews Market Days 2025 was held under a bright, hot sun on and around the Mathews Court Green Friday and Saturday, but a steady morning breeze offered relief both days, and festival-goers didn’t seem to mind until the afternoon, when the heat thinned out the crowds.

Market Days Committee chair Jennifer Roahrig said that Friday’s attendance was twice as high as it has been for the past few years, and she estimated the number at 2,000 people, with total attendance over the weekend estimated at 4,500 people. She said the festival also increased the number of vendors participating by 25, bringing the total number of vendors this year to 91.

Read more about this year's event by visiting https://www.gazettejournal.net/an-estimated-4500-attend-this-years-mathews-market-days/

09/10/2025

The Mathews County Planning Commission, following a discussion Tuesday night of the proposed public park on the county’s two-acre parcel at the end of South Bay Haven Drive on Gwynn’s Island, decided to have a meeting with neighborhood property owners at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, prior to its regular monthly meeting.

“Let’s see if we can come up with a compromise,” said planning commission chairman Billy Cook. Neighbors have been very vocal about their opposition to certain aspects of such a park.

Commission member Harry Meeks provided reports on two recent discussions of the park in Mathews Parks and Recreation Commission meetings, one on Aug. 25 and one on Sept. 3, at which commission members outlined the amenities and restrictions they were suggesting for the park.

The Mathews County Planning Commission, following a discussion Tuesday night of the proposed public park on the county’s two-acre parcel at the end of South…

09/09/2025

Glorious skies, butterflies, and more late summer scenes from our readers.

09/08/2025

Gov. Glenn Youngkin was surrounded by legislators and community members on the Rappahannock River in Lancaster County last Thursday as he ceremonially signed the Commonwealth Transportation Special Structures Program Revenue Bond Act of 2025 (SB 1082).

This new law, sponsored by Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville), allows for construction to replace the Robert O. Norris Jr. Bridge to begin in 2028, eight years ahead of schedule.

Read more about the project at the link below.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin was surrounded by legislators and community members on the Rappahannock River in Lancaster County last Thursday as he ceremonially signed the Commonwealth…

09/08/2025

The Gloucester High School Marching Dukes performed during halftime at the Aug. 28 football game. In the first photo, trombone players, from left, are Skyler Heide and Kyler Veasey. In the second photo, color guard member Kaitlyn Hay waves her flag during the performance.

Catch the Marching Dukes' halftime show again on Sept. 19 as GHS faces the York Falcons at Dukes Stadium.

09/07/2025

The JOY Circle of Bethany United Methodist Church, Gloucester Point, treated the residents of the Gloucester House to a fruit and cookie buffet recently. Thirty residents enjoyed the special treat and fellowship.

Members participating included, from left, Pauline Reimold, Judy Burner, Gwen Wesson, Nina Whitmore, Jurah Choi and Wendy Hogge. This was in memory of Jean Heywood, a lifelong member of Bethany and a resident of Gloucester House.

09/07/2025

Parishioners and friends of Abingdon Episcopal Church, White Marsh, prepared, assembled, and delivered 70 meals to homebound residents in the county, on Monday, which was the Labor Day holiday. Bay Aging had the day off, but the need for food is constant so Abingdon Church helped with this outreach ministry.

Taking part in the Meals on Wheels effort were, front row from left, Nancy Choquette, Rosalie Sanchez, Barbara Erwin, Marian Clements, Joyce Mallon, Mall Fraser-Seay; back row, June James, Rene Welz, Larry Torgersen, Toni Hogg, Diane Ormsby and Joanne Burruss.

09/06/2025

William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science embarked on a new chapter last week, welcoming their inaugural class of undergraduate majors.

Eleven students make up the first cohort, officially launching the coastal and marine sciences program. This program will include both classroom and field and research components. It is backed by full tuition support from a $50 million donation from Dr. R. Todd Stravitz and the Brunckhorst Foundations.

Learn more about the new program at the link below 🌊

William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science embarked on a new chapter last week, welcoming their…