Purple Martins return (3/22/2023) - In a sure sign of spring, the first Purple Martins of the year have been seen in Virginia. The birds were seen on Feb. 23 in the Nelson County community… …
We’re ready (3/15/2023) - Spring begins Monday. It’s safe to say almost every living thing is ready for a new season. Please send your photos to editor@gazettejournal.net. Old home place daffodils, sent by Mary… …
Varnell-Burkat (3/15/2023) - Lyle and Kathleen Varnell of Gloucester, Virginia, announce the engagement of their daughter, Hannah, to Andrzej Burkat, son of Anna and Joe Burkat of Detroit, Michigan. Hannah graduated from N.C.… …Ferns are deer-resistant (3/15/2023) - Several years ago, I planted Sedum “Autumn Joy” in two large pots, one on either side of our entrance. They were lovely through three seasons and lived there happily for… …
Awakenings (3/8/2023) - What’s more beautiful than the emerging flora and fauna of spring? Please send your photos to editor@gazettejournal.net. Saucer Magnolia blooming at Marti and Tom Bowen’s house, Mathews. Pretty dove perched… …Create a stress-free backyard habitat (3/8/2023) - Jim and I always welcomed all animals to our property, even when some neighbors probably thought we were making a big mistake. Our plan was to offer food, water, cover,… …
Swing into spring with March gardening reminders (3/8/2023) - March has finally arrived. Many are inspired by the random warm days and can’t wait to get their hands in the soil. While this winter, or non-winter as some have… …
When daffodils abound… (3/1/2023) - Can spring be far behind? As a new season approaches, some signs of winter hang on. Please send your photos to editor@gazettejournal.net. Crocus and Ice Follies daffodils, sent by Cheryl… …
The Virginia opossum—one of a kind (3/1/2023) - As Jim and I drove down the road to our house last Wednesday evening, we saw a pair of yellow eyes watching us from the roadside. As we drew closer,… …
Great Backyard Bird Count (3/1/2023) - Sherry Rollins, Edith Bradbury, Doug Dwoyer, Tom Crockett, Mark Sopko and Dave Yeager, from left, took part in the Middle Peninsula Bird Club’s Great Backyard Bird Count at Bethel Beach… …Beauty is all around us … (2/22/2023) - You just need to know where to look. For instance, flower enthusiast Lewis Hubbard sent us some of his beauties, including the Camellia japonica Dad’s Pink (big photo below) and… …
Get an early start on springtime chores (2/22/2023) - The first daffodils are waking up and showing us their pretty yellow, white, and pink faces, and if you look very closely, you will see tiny buds on certain deciduous… …
Donating dresses (2/22/2023) - Layne Brown of the North River Circle of The King’s Daughters, at right, recently met with Connie Smith, Ambassador for Dress a Girl Around the World (DAGATW) in Mooresville, North… …
Washington’s Birthday luncheon (2/22/2023) - Seven members of the Augustine Warner Chapter of the Daughters of The American Revolution attended the 75th annual George Washington’s Birthday Luncheon at the Meadowbrook Country Club in Richmond. A… …Feathered friends (2/15/2023) - Local photographer Bob Waldrop recently looked to the skies for inspiration and found these beautiful creatures enjoying a sunny day. Clockwise, from top left, Virginia’s state bird, the cardinal; a… …
Questions to ask when planning your garden (2/15/2023) - Planters with a Purpose, the new Mathews community gardening group, suggests now is the time to start thinking about what you want in your garden spaces. With some days recently… …
Count birds in your backyard and contribute to science (2/15/2023) - The Great Backyard Bird Count is taking place this month and you can contribute just by identifying the birds around you. Each year in February, during a four-day span, millions… …
York River Circle new members (2/15/2023) - Two new members joined the York River Circle of The King’s Daughters and Sons on Feb. 7 at Severn Church. New member Jill Wilkinson is shown with her sponsor, Shirley… …Hopeful signs (2/8/2023) - Winter seems endless sometimes, but the appearance of daffodils and snowdrops reassures us that it will not last forever. Please send your photos to editor@gazettejournal.net. Barbara Chillemi of Mathews sends… …
Daffodil Show Committee gearing up for 2023 event (2/8/2023) - The Gloucester Daffodil Show Committee is gearing up for the 2023 annual Gloucester Daffodil Show, which coincides with the Gloucester Daffodil Festival. “This daffodil show first began in 1938 and… …
Thoughts on gardening and health (2/8/2023) - As a registered nurse in the 1980s, I developed an interest in what were then known as “alternative therapies.” By the 1990s, the term “complementary therapies” had eclipsed the earlier… …
Garden Planner guide available at Extension office (2/8/2023) - It may be cold outside, but now is the time to start thinking about what kind of garden you’ll be planting this spring. The Virginia Cooperative Extension Services Garden Planner… …
Spring planting (2/8/2023) - Gloucester Master Gardener Susan Camp, right, along with her husband Jim and Gazette-Journal proofreader Sue Keys, left, planted an assortment of spring bulbs in front of the newspaper’s Main Street… …Winter wonders (2/1/2023) - Looking around, we can find plenty to admire, even when the days are short and a large part of the world stays indoors. Please send your photos to editor@gazettejournal.net. Cold… …
A perfect rose for Emma’s garden (2/1/2023) - In 2002, Jim built a playhouse for our two-year-old granddaughter, Emma. Emma and her mom and dad didn’t live close by, but Emma came to stay with us for a… …