The Beehive is a quarterly community newsletter, free to all county residents, containing information about county news and resources, volunteer information, community events, and classes and activities for youth and adults.

Recently, Gloucester County's hard work in revamping this publication into a full-color magazine (while lowering the cost to taxpayers) earned a highly competitive Virginia Association of Counties Achievement Award.

The magazine is primarily put together by our Community Engagement & Public Information Department. In this episode, Director Quinton Sheppard sat down with Media Specialist Savannah Haugdahl for a deep dive into the publication's purpose, history, and recent transformation.

This month, our Chief Animal Control Officer, Steve Baranek, talks to us about the services Gloucester Animal Control offers. He also offers some tips on keeping your pets safe as cold weather season approaches.

Finally, he shares details on the upcoming Rabies Clinic for cats and dogs that is scheduled for Oct. 12 from 1-3 p.m. in the Gloucester High School parking area.

For more information, visit https://gloucesterva.gov/animal-control.

To view available animals for adoption from the County's shelter, visit: https://www.petfinder.com/search/dogs-for-adoption/?shelter_id%5B0%5D=VA28&sort%5B0%5D=recently_added

What's better than enjoying the holiday decorations along Main Street? Enjoying interactive decorations with a purpose!

The Gloucester Resource Council will be bringing together nonprofits, service organizations and businesses that serve people in Gloucester (and the surrounding areas) to decorate trees and wreaths based on their unique missions. There will be a seek-and-find competition, photo opportunities, live music, carolers, interactive QR codes and more! It's free and fun for the whole family.

The kickoff to GRC's first Festival of Trees will be on Dec. 6 from 5-8 p.m. in the Courthouse Circle and along Main Street. Even if you can't make it to the opening ceremony, you can check out the trees in local shop windows until January.

To learn more about the festival or get involved, check out the Gloucester Resource Council on Facebook or email grcfestivaloftrees@gmail.com.