Event basics

The Northumberland County Democratic Committee runs on volunteers and money. Join Committee members and supporters Thursday, September 17, 5:00 to 8:30 pm to celebrate the US Constitution, the rule of law, and the local party at the Constitution Day Gala.

The event will feature great food and drink, a silent auction, music by Mark Neil and guest speaker Albert Clarkson Pollard Jr, former Representative Virginia House of Delegates .

RSVP by emailing barsal.NNK@gmail.com or buying a ticket (or sponsoring or donation) online.

The special guest speaker

Our special guest speaker will be Albert Clarkson Pollard Jr. Albert served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2000–2006 and again from 2008–2012, representing the 99th District on the Northern Neck. He first retired from the House after three terms to pursue a private business venture and spend time with his young family. He returned to his seat following a February 2008 special election to replace Rob Wittman, who had been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and later retired again after completing his fifth term.

Albert is also a great-grandson of Virginia Governor John Garland Pollard. He will share his unique and informed perspective on our country and the Constitution.

Silent auction

NCDC members and supporters are generously donating items for the auction. The pics below are a small sample of what will be auctioned. The list as of September 12:

#01 – Three Little Birds — Value: $45
A $25 gift certificate to Three Little Birds, a retail boutique in Burgess offering crystals, incense, jewelry, Northern Neck décor, yoga supplies and other gifts. Also includes a blue bird figurine and bird plaque with stand.

#02 – Yes for Yoga — Value: $120
Enjoy six yoga classes with two $45 gift certificates for classes with Rachel Hart at the Yoga Spot in Burgess or Warsaw and Yoga with Judy Knight in Warsaw. Also includes a yoga mat, yoga-figure candle holder, and the book 1001 Pearls of Yoga Wisdom.

#03 – Pearl in Oyster — Value: $75
Renowned local artist Carol Muratore’s matted print of her popular Pearl in Oyster, accompanied by one of her hand-painted oyster shells.

#04 – Cottage at the Creek — Value: $750
Enjoy three nights and four days in a fully equipped two-bedroom guesthouse on Cod Creek in Heathsville. Relax at the “Rivah” in a lovely wooded setting at the water’s edge while exploring the water adventures and historic sites of the Northern Neck and surrounding area.

#05 – Bourbon is Best — Value: $85
Two special bourbons from Buffalo Trace Distillery—Eagle Rare 10-Year and Sazerac Rye—along with the book American Whiskey, Bourbon & Rye: A Guide to the Nation’s Favorite Spirit. A great collection for the bourbon collector or novice taster.

#06 – Glorious in Glass — Value: $85
An original glass art design by Lynne Mullin featuring a glass sculpture with live greens. Use it as a beautiful fall centerpiece and later move the plants to a garden pot in spring.

#07 – Enter the Chesapeake — Value: $150
A framed map of the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay for anyone fascinated by maps and cartography—a wonderful way to display the details of the waters close to home.

#08 – Wooddale Bridge — Value: $200
A framed and matted original watercolor of the Wooddale Bridge by Delaware artist Rita Trimmer, whose work is represented in numerous private and public collections.

#09 – Doggy Delight — Value: $515
A dog lover’s package featuring a $495 gift certificate for four sessions at NNK Dog Training in Heathsville, where you can work on skills of your choice. Also includes an “I Love Dogs” acrylic plaque, dog pin, poop-bag dispenser, and adjustable dog collar and bowl.

#10 – Great Blue Heron — Value: $120
A limited-edition framed print of an acrylic painting of the Great Blue Heron by Mathews County artist Anne Smith. The majestic Great Blue Heron is one of North America’s tallest birds and a familiar native of the Northern Neck.

#11 – Great White Egret — Value: $120
A limited-edition framed print of an acrylic painting of the Great Egret by Mathews County artist Anne Smith. Once in danger of extinction, this beautiful white bird can be found in shallow wetlands and mudflats like those throughout the Northern Neck.

#12 – Tradewinds — Value: $225
A limited-edition, signed and numbered framed print of John Barber’s Tradewinds, depicting the Cape Florida Lighthouse in Key Biscayne, Florida. Barber is known for his documentation of America’s vanishing maritime tradition.

#13 – Guardians of Diamond Shoals — Value: $225
A limited-edition, signed and numbered framed print of John Barber’s Guardians of the Diamond Shoals, depicting the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse guarding one of the most dangerous stretches of America’s southeastern shore.

#14 – A Divine Dinner Out — Value: $130
A $100 gift certificate to Cygnet’s Restaurant in Lottsburg, offering casual dining in a lovely Williamsburgesque setting, accompanied by an attractive light-blue stainless-steel insulated Cygnet travel cup.

#15 – A Delectable Dinner Out — Value: $130
A $100 gift certificate to Cygnet’s Restaurant in Lottsburg, accompanied by an attractive dark-blue stainless-steel insulated Cygnet travel cup.

#16 – Marvelous Mexican — Value: $75
Enjoy a $50 gift certificate to Los Portales Restaurant in Callao or Burgess, or create your own Mexican feast with the Williams-Sonoma cookbook Mexican Favorites, three essential spices, taco seasoning, and an Old El Paso taco dinner kit.

#17 – No Need to Whine! — Value: $65
A wine-lover’s basket containing two red and two white wines, including Chardonnay, Merlot and a red blend, plus two gold-rimmed wine glasses, a wine-themed dishtowel set, and the book Understanding, Choosing, and Enjoying Wine.

#18 – Bully for Bourbon — Value: $75
A bottle of Blanton’s Single Barrel bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery, accompanied by two bourbon glasses and The Little Book of Bourbon. A special offering for either the discerning collector or novice taster.

#19 – Scarab Diamond Necklace — Value: $2,115
A white-gold scarab pendant accented with 30 round brilliant-cut natural diamonds, prong-set on the wings and body with milgrain detailing. The pendant is presented on a 15-inch leather cord finished with a filigree fish-hook clasp.

#20 – Healthy Eating, Healthy Living — Value: $75
A kitchen collection featuring oil and vinegar cruets, specialty oil and vinegar from Triple V Farms, bamboo cutting board, Virginia-icons dishtowel, wooden salad servers, books about farm-to-table cooking and olive oil, and decorative vegetable models.

#21 – Colonial Williamsburg: A Break Between Tours, 2019 — Value: $2,200
A signed and authenticated, one-of-a-kind original oil painting on linen by local artist Cate Kauffman. The 30-by-20-inch work depicts a Colonial Williamsburg interpreter and grew from the artist’s own observations, imagination, sketch, and photograph.

#22 – Wrapped in Style — Value: $100
A beautiful multicolored hand-woven shawl made with Tencel and bamboo by Kathleen Lockhart of Heron Harbor Fiber Art—a lovely way to ward off the chill of an early fall evening.

#23 – Sunflower Happy — Value: $35
An original framed and matted watercolor by C.J. Salkowski inspired by the sunflower fields of the Northern Neck. Sunflowers symbolize loyalty, adoration, faith, positivity, and the pursuit of light.

#24 – Wonders of Wine — Value: TBD
A special wine basket being assembled by Laura Tridico. Additional details and value are still to come. The current bid sheet does not yet contain a description or value.

There is still time to make a donation to the silent auction. Email Claire Salkowski.

What’s your favorite part of the Constitution?

Yesterday, National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, Governor Abigail Spanberger encouraged community members to serve as poll workers.

“Every year in our Commonwealth, poll workers play an essential role in supporting our secure, accurate, and fair elections and allowing Virginians to make their voices heard,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “We have some of the most talented and experienced election staff in the nation working at our polls. Ahead of our upcoming elections, I am encouraging more committed Virginians who would like to serve their communities to do so in this deeply meaningful way.”

Learn more about becoming an Officer of Election.

Officers of Election receive compensation for their service.