September 10, 2026
outdoor recreation
Time for Beach Music Fest nears
With September here, the Northern Neck Beach Music Festival in Colonial Beach is just shy of a week away. Slated to occur on the 12th and 13th of the month, it is a celebration that will see the Town Hill park packed to the gills with vendors and tents as people gather to enjoy beach music, food, raffles, and a chance to dance on the sand.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH STEVE SCALA
THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH STEVE SCALA
Woodland retreat offers realtime experience
On September 11–12, 2026, the Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Landowner Education are holding a Woodland Landowner Retreat. The location is the New Kent Forestry Center in Providence Forge, an easy and pleasant trip from the Northern Neck.
Richmond County Requesting No Wake Areas
Richmond County Board of Supervisors voted to grant local approval for three proposed no wake zones, a step required before the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) can consider final authorization.
Westmoreland Resurrects Parks & Rec, Hires New Director
At last week’s Westmoreland Board of Supervisors meeting, the County got an introduction to its new director of Parks & Rec, Rebecca Panis.
TriWay Trail Awarded $2.1 Million
More money has been committed to the TriWay Trail in Lancaster—a shared-use trail that is ultimately intended to extend 10 miles, connecting the towns of Kilmarnock, Irvington, and White Stone.
Westmoreland Takes Action on Gardy’s Mill Pond Dam
In May of last year, a failure was discovered in Gardy’s Mill Pond Dam, where Westmoreland and Northumberland County meet. The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), which man‑ages the dam, spent the next 14 months conducting community meetings in both counties, getting input from the locals as they pre‑sented some options while putting a notch in the dam that allowed for the free flow of water in order to stabilize the structure. During that time, an online petition called “Help Save Gardy’s Millpond” gained 215 signatures.
Spanish mackerel rock Northumberland waters
Northumberland County anglers are enjoying one of the best summer fishing seasons in years. Cobia fever continues its exciting pitch for those cruising the Smith Point Bar, the Target Ships, and other nearby Chesapeake Bay waters.
DWR accepting public comments on regulation and fee changes
The Virginia Board of Wildlife Resources is seeking public input on a package of proposed changes to wildlife, fisheries, boating, hunting, trapping, and camping regulations, along with increases to several outdoor recreation fees.
Securing another grant allows NPL to complete the park
Northumberland Public Library secured an AARP Community Challenge grant, bringing in the funds needed to complete the new pocket park that opened earlier this year.