October was a very busy month for the POSSUMS. We conducted a very successful Pork Butt Sale, allowing Scholarship Committee to double the amount of this year’s scholarships for our two recipients. A new slate of officers was nominated and approved at our October Meeting, and a guest speaker from Christian Outreach Program (COP). We learned that COP, we provide financial support, is more than a feeding program. In 2022 it has a provided needy clients dental, home repair, emergency services furniture and diapers for families. COP has also created a Literary Initiative, in coordination with Isle of Wight schools.

The many 2022 activities of the Possum Hollow Club are highlighted here, such as our regular trash pickup in Suffolk. Each year semi-annual Pork Butt Sales are conducted as the major fund raisers of the club. Funds raised are used to support many community service projects.

We support the team that briefed us on the mission of “The Schoolhouse Museum” which is to preserve, conserve and interpret the history of education in Isle of Wight, Virginia.  The one room structure, highlights the education of black children in the early 20th century in Isle of Wight County, Virginia.

This is a picture of the 2022 Scholarship Recipients from Possum Hollow Ruritans. From left to right: Ashton Temme, Jack Eure, Scholarship Committee Chairman, and Julia Joyce. Scholarships were presented at the August 2nd meeting of Possum Hollow Ruritans.

We also have regular guest speakers like Jay Saunders from Chuckatuck, shown here with President Drex Bradshaw, who presented a most interesting program to the Possum Hollow Ruritans in April. Jay is a member of the Virginia Pilots Association navigating commercial and naval vessels into and out of the Hampton Roads area including the associated rivers. He has a most rewarding job and provided our Ruritan members with an excellent program.

Harbor Pilot Presentation