August 16th-22nd, 2018 Local Page 5

Busch Garden’s “Project Madrid” Begins to Take Shape By Nancy E. Sheppard The long-rumored new buffer area. In documents thing of this magnitude. hamlet at obtained by one of the After making sev- Williamsburg, nicknamed most reliable sources for eral missteps in recent “Project Madrid,” is Busch Gardens months by changing the beginning to take shape. Williamsburg insider membership program, In previous filings to news, BGWFans.com, the closing fan-favorite dark James City County that new filing includes what ride DarKastle, and end- included permits for some appears to be footings that ing the popular stunt new construction at a bank and curve in the show, “All for One,” after height of 315 feet, “Project aforementioned buffer only two seasons, a giga Madrid” will be located in zone. In other words: A coaster could be just what what is referred to “Festa . the park needs to reinvig- Field,” located behind the Due to the previ- orate the masses to return. water ride, Roman Rapids ous filing for a height of Though Busch Gardens and stretching all the way 315 feet, it can be deduced Williamsburg far beats to the river. Currently, the that Busch Gardens out its neighbor parks, area is occupied by animal Williamsburg is planning Cedar Fair’s Kings fields and a walkthrough for not another “family Dominion in Doswell, VA attraction for Howl-O- style” roller coaster, like and Carowinds in Scream. their two most recent Charlotte, NC, in atmos- In the latest filing, coasters, Verbolten or phere and family attrac- it appears that plans are Invadr, but for something tions, those parks boast taking shape to build a more akin to a giga coast- better prices and more large-scale roller coaster er, which is a roller coast- thrills, including two of A composite put together by BGWFans.com of the area that is being pro- in the new area. The latest er that is 300 or more feet the world’s top ranked posed for “Project Madrid.” documents depict use of tall. Busch Gardens giga coasters. let, this would be a large Hastings was reimagined attract not just families, land that is currently con- Williamsburg, while pre- Additionally, if expansion for the park as Ireland in 2000. This but thrill ride seekers sidered part of the viously boasting record- the roller coaster is going and the first new hamlet would give the park a through their gates. Chesapeake Bay Resource setting roller coasters, has to be located in a new, since the previously much needed and well- Area Protection Zone never ventured to any- long-rumored Spain ham- medieval themed deserved jumpstart to The King’s Daughters Presents $700,000 Gift to CHKD Submitted by Brandi Pottis NORFOLK, Va. – toward CHKD's emerging tal health facility to help On Thursday, July 26, The mental health campaign, meet the critical shortage King's Daughters, found- and $500,000 of the of pediatric mental health ing organization of $700,000 gift will be used services in our region. Children's Hospital of The to help expand mental "Meeting the mental King's Daughters, pre- health care in our region. health needs of our local sented a $700,000 dona- "For 122 years, The King's children and adolescents tion to CHKD. The King's Daughters have been at is paramount," says Elly Daughters raised the the forefront, first to rec- Smith, who served as funds through Circle ognize and meet our chil- president of The King's (member) events and larg- dren's healthcare needs," Daughters during the er special events like says CHKD CEO and period the funds were RunWalk for the Kids, President Jim Dahling. raised. "The King's and the annual holiday "This year's generous gift Daughters are proud to gala, Moonlight & will help us meet the have made a unanimous Mistletoe, as well as their growing demand for decision to pledge $1 mil- popular collection canis- pediatric mental health in lion in support of CHKD's ters at retail locations our community. We are efforts to expand this pro- throughout the region. incredibly grateful." gram, and even more The King's CHKD recently proud to have already ful- Elly Smith presents this year's annual gift to Jim Dahling and Amy Daughters recently received state approval to filled half of this pledge." Sampson, senior vice president, chief engagement and innovation officer. pledged $1 million build a $60.7 million men- Walsingham Academy Grad, Now Rising Freshman at Penn State Submitted by Steve Milner Jacob “Jake” school’s Hampton Roads in Central Pennsylvania. enter that service after Lobash, of Williamsburg, alumni, at a picnic in The recent graduation in 2022. He a June graduate of Chesapeake City Park. Walsingham Academy will follow in the foot- Walsingham Academy, The son of graduate was a member steps of his father, who is was among a dozen rising Colonel Frank and Cher of his school’s swimming stationed at Joint Base local freshmen who were Lobash, he will study and cross country teams. Langley-Eustis, and his given a personalized Plant Sciences in the uni- He will attend mother, an Air Force sendoff recently to Penn versity’s Agriculture Penn State on an Air Force retiree. State University by that School at its main campus, scholarship, and plans to The Penn State Hampton Roads Alumni Club holds this annual Adult Summer Reading event to acquaint fresh- men and their families with the university and Program Wraps Up at campus life. It also gives students gift school sup- Poquoson Public Library plies, to help them get off Submitted by Jessica Hartley to a good start away from home. The Poquoson submitted reviews for Friends of the Poquoson Jacob Lobash at a Penn State “sendoff” picnic Public Library wrapped prizes donated by local Public Library for their up its Adult Summer businesses. Thank you to sponsorship. Reading Program on Corner Bistro, Ferguson Congratulations to the August 5th with 62 par- Center for the Arts, Elizabeth Wells, PPL Pop-Up Art Show at Art ticipants reading and sub- Norfolk Tides, Poquoson Summer Reading grand mitting reviews on 199 Compounding and Gifts, prize winner of two tick- Speaks Gallery Featuring books over the past seven Surf’s Up, Taylor’s Do It ets to the Ferguson Center weeks! Drawings were Center, Trader Joe’s, for the Arts. held each week from the Virginia Zoo, and the Papier-Mâché Submitted by Saraya Cheney M a t h e w s , 24th. supported in part by the Virginia – August 16, The reception is Virginia Commission for 2018 – On Friday, August free and open to the pub- the Arts, the National 24th, the Art Speaks lic. Light bites and drinks Endowment for the Arts, Gallery, at the Bay School will be served. Dominion Energy, Community Arts Center, The Bay School, a Mathews County, will host a week-long non-profit community art Chesapeake Bank, and pop-up art show. “Pop school and gallery, is the Tri-Rivers Investment Ups” are shows that are located at 279 Main Group of Davenport and available for a very short Street, Mathews, and is Company. window of time. This par- ticular show features the works of local papier- mâché artists who have taken classes at the Bay School Community Arts Center. The opening reception will be held from 5pm to 7pm on the Grand Prize Winner Elizabeth Wells