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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Contact: Reggie Rossignolrrossignol@ches.bank 804-695-8222November 12, 2025Williamsburg, VA

Boosting Greater Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle - One Restaurant at a Time with 50% off Gift Certificates from WARA.

Since 2021, Chesapeake Bank and its partners have infused more than $300,000 into the Historic Triangle’s economy, which includes Yorktown, James City County, and Williamsburg. This year, partners are focusing entirely on local restaurants by offering discounted Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association (WARA) gift certificates to maximize community impact.

 In previous years, the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce, Yes, Williamsburg Economic Development Authority, James City County Office of Economic Development Authority, York County Economic Development Authority, Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association (WARA), and media partners, 92.3FM The Tide, 107.9FM Cannon Country, and WY Daily came together selling VISA and WARA certificates for 50% off, encouraging consumers to spend in the community.

The 2025 transition to WARA-only certificates (no VISAs) guarantees dollars are hitting that target. Consumers are still able to buy $50 certificates for $25 (limit two per person), with the discount made possible by contributions from the program’s partners.

"The Boost program is all about strengthening our local businesses,” says Rachel Sears, Executive Director, Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association. “This is such a great way to engage with the community and give back. We’re incredibly grateful for the support from our partners to help make this possible."

"The success of the 'Boost' program over the years demonstrates what can be achieved when our community comes together,” says Terry Banez, CEO, Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce. “We are grateful for this opportunity to provide crucial support of our restaurants and inject vital dollars directly into the business community, fulfilling our mission to advocate, collaborate, and create an environment in which business can grow and succeed. I want to personally thank all the organizations we are continuously working with to make this possible: Chesapeake Bank, Williamsburg Economic Development Authority, James City County Office of Economic Development Authority, York County Economic Development Authority, the Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association (WARA), and our media partners — 92.3FM The Tide, 107.9FM Cannon Country, and WY Daily. This partnership is key to boosting Greater Williamsburg."

Additionally, this year, 30Off Local will be on the scene with QR Codes to their gift card site which offers 30% off to a variety of participating local businesses expanding the reach of their ongoing effort—similar to the Boost theme.

Upcoming events:

• 11/25 – Merchants Square @ 11:00am (in front of Kimball Theatre)
• 12/10 – Shorty’s Diner at their new Yorktown location (6500 George Washington Memorial Hwy.) @ 11:00am
• 1/21 - New Town Fountain at 2:00pm (Leading up to Restaurant week - 1^st week of Feb.)

“We are always looking for new ways to support our businesses and communities,” says Reggie Rossignol, Assistant Vice President and Community Manager, Chesapeake Bank. “It’s even more meaningful to be to create this experience with strong partners. –It’s not just collaboration; it’s community in action.”

Those attending are to be prepared that events are rain or shine. Folks start lining up four hours early and certificates sell out quickly. Purchases are made with card only. Limit two gift cards per person. While supplies last.

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Chesapeake Bank, founded in 1900, is a subsidiary of Chesapeake Financials Shares (CFS: CPKF), headquartered in the Northern Neck, also serving Middle Peninsula, Williamsburg, Richmond, Chesterfield, Midlothian, and the Peninsula. Named by American Banker as one of the Top 200 Community Banks and a Best Bank to Work For, employing 291. Visit: www.ches.bank

Hospitality Director Lee Peltier reveals the crave-worthy pub fare—from juicy burgers to fish & chips—that might just steal the show. Plus, there’s something for everyone, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free bites on deck.

MyGolfSpy turns technology and transparency into a whole new game.

It is a great time for business in York County, with plenty of familiar faces in new places. Here are a few who opened their doors recently and a look at what is coming soon in this edition of New in Town.

Enjoy a variety of lunch/dinner specials at more than 20 popular dining establishments in the County. With menus ranging from American, Turkish, Italian, and more with plenty of gluten-free, vegan, and desserts too! There’s truly something for everyone.

Yorktown residents and their guests can purchase tickets for 20% off the regular price.

Fire Station 1 (118 Dare Road) will host this event. Slots are still available.

Over 900 new titles have been added to our All Access Romance Collection. This collection features over 1,700 romance eBooks that are always available—no holds and no waiting. Whether you're a reader of contemporary romances, historical romances, or spicy reads, there's something for every romance reader in this expansive and ever-changing collection.

To keep things fresh, titles in the collection are updated quarterly (just last week). Some of the authors included are:

• African American Romance by Mary Monroe, Brenda Jackson, and Elle Wright
• Christian Romance by Laurie Kingery, Amy Clipston, and Jennifer Beckstrand
• Fantasy Romance by Kathryne Kennedy, Isabel Cooper, and Alexandra Ivy
• Historical Fiction Romance by Sally MacKenzie, Amelia Grey, Philippa Carr, and Amanda Scott
• Contemporary Romance by Jill Shalvis, Kristina Mathews, and Lori Foster
• Romantic Suspense by Heather Graham, Phyllis A. Whitney, and Sharon Sala
• Western Romance by Lindsay McKenna, Carolyn Brown, and Linda Broday

The All Access Romance Collection is available to browse in the Libby app or our OverDrive website. All you need to get started is your York County Public Library card.

Questions? Please stop by the Tabb or Yorktown Reference desk, or contact a member of our Reference staff at Tabb, 757-890-5120, or Yorktown, 757-890-5207.

York County Public Library is pleased to share a wonderful free resource available through the library: Brainfuse HelpNow. This online learning platform provides students of all ages with live academic support, writing assistance, skill-building tools, and study resources - all accessible from home with your library card. It's designed to help learners of all ages get real-time help and build long-term skills.

Key Features:

Live Online Tutoring

Students can connect with trained tutors 24/7 for real‑time help in subjects such as math, reading, writing, science, and social studies. Tutors focus on concept mastery, not just giving answers. Sessions take place in the Brainfuse Online Classroom with a shared whiteboard. Tutoring is available in both English and Spanish. 

Writing Assistance

Students may work with a tutor in real time on brainstorming, outlining, or revising a paper. They can also upload their writing to the Writing Lab for personalized feedback, usually within 24 hours. Tutors comment on structure, clarity, grammar, and argument strength.

Skill-Building and Test Prep

The SkillSurfer section offers lessons, videos, practice tests, and study guides to help students strengthen academic skills at their own pace. Take practice tests on the SAT, ACT, GED, and more. You can also create your own flashcards and study games.

Collaboration Tools

Users can create virtual study rooms, work together on shared whiteboards, and save sessions for later review.

Adult Learning Center

In addition to K–12 support, HelpNow includes resources for adult learners, such as high school equivalency preparation, citizenship test practice, and career assistance.

Accessing HelpNow is easy:  

You can visit our library website and follow the "Research & Learn" navigation at the top of the webpage to "Resources A-Z." Scroll down and click the Brainfuse HelpNow link. On the HelpNow page, click on "My Account" then "Login." If you don't have an account, you'll see the "Sign Up" link under the login section.

We encourage you to explore this resource with your child and take advantage of the academic support it provides. The service is available 24/7, making it simple for students to get help whenever they need it. If you have any questions or need help getting started, please contact the library—we’re always happy to assist.

Get ready for Kanopy’s Big Movie Watch, running February 9 – 23, 2026.  Stream Across the Universe, ticket free with your York County Public Library card and a Kanopy account. Stream now on York County's Kanopy website or get the Kanopy app. Visit Kanopy Help if you need assistance getting started with Kanopy or the Kanopy app.

About Across the Universe

An original musical film, Across the Universe is a love story set against the backdrop of the 1960s, amid the turbulent years of anti-war protest, the struggle for free speech and civil rights, mind exploration and rock ‘n roll. At once gritty, whimsical and highly theatrical, the story moves from high schools and universities in Massachusetts, Princeton and Ohio to the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Detroit riots, the killing fields of Vietnam and the dockyards of Liverpool. Combining live action with painted and three-dimensional animation, Across the Universe springs from the imagination of renowned director Julie Taymor and writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais and features an array of Beatles songs that have come to define the period.

If you enjoy the game of soccer and are willing to help teach the next generation of soccer players.  Please complete the soccer volunteer application, background check, and mandated reporting to get started.  For more information about the soccer program, please call our main office at 757-890-3500.

The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) is currently conducting a public survey to gauge public opinion regarding roadway congestion in Hampton Roads. The public’s feedback will help inform on congestion concerns, hotspots, and mitigation strategies, all of which will be summarized in the Hampton Roads Congestion Management Process: Part 2 report. Please take the Hampton Roads Congestion Survey and help HRTPO by sharing your concerns!

VPPSA holds a total of 15 household chemical collection events per year and accepts a variety of paints, fuels, solvents, pesticides, automotive products and other chemicals from residents of Hampton, Poquoson, Williamsburg, James City County and York County.  

The first York County event in 2026 will take place on Saturday March 14, from 8:00 am - 12:00 noon.  Acceptable Materials are those typically found in a home environment, such as household maintenance and cleaning products, paints, fuels, automotive chemicals, and lawn and garden products.

The following computer items are also accepted at this event:  Computers; Desktop and laptop computers, servers, computer monitors, cell phones, computer wiring, desktop printers including multifunction printers or “All in Ones”, fax machines, and desktop photocopiers and scanners.  Please note that only the computer items listed will be accepted.  Televisions are not accepted.

In addition to the services listed above, citizens have the opportunity to shred their personal paperwork on-site.  A shredding truck will be provided for citizens to bring up to five boxes of paperwork to be shredded.  Staple and paperclip removal is not necessary, however binders, three-ring notebooks, accordion files and other metal objects are not acceptable to include in shredding materials.

At the collection, A VPPSA employee will ask which city or county you live in, and what materials you’ve brought.  Proof of residency may be required.  VPPSA staff will unload your vehicle. Please stay in your vehicle unless requested to do otherwise.

Please visit VPPSA.org for more information on acceptable and unacceptable materials. 

Create a Native Masterpiece!   Pot up a native plant and paint your own pot.Thursday, July 20th from 10:00-11:00am.  

Bee Friendly!  Make your own bee house.Thursday, August 17th from 10:00-11:00am

Shedding Light on Butterflies!   Make a Butterfly LanternThursday, September 28th from 10:00-11:00am

Registration is required for all activities!  Call 757-890-4940

Space is limited!

Visit the VCE Master Gardener Help Desk page for more information.

The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) is currently conducting a public survey to gauge public opinion regarding roadway congestion in Hampton Roads. The public’s feedback will help inform on congestion concerns, hotspots, and mitigation strategies, all of which will be summarized in the Hampton Roads Congestion Management Process: Part 2 report. Please take the Hampton Roads Congestion Survey and help HRTPO by sharing your concerns!

VPPSA holds a total of 15 household chemical collection events per year and accepts a variety of paints, fuels, solvents, pesticides, automotive products and other chemicals from residents of Hampton, Poquoson, Williamsburg, James City County and York County.  

The first York County event in 2026 will take place on Saturday March 14, from 8:00 am - 12:00 noon.  Acceptable Materials are those typically found in a home environment, such as household maintenance and cleaning products, paints, fuels, automotive chemicals, and lawn and garden products.

The following computer items are also accepted at this event:  Computers; Desktop and laptop computers, servers, computer monitors, cell phones, computer wiring, desktop printers including multifunction printers or “All in Ones”, fax machines, and desktop photocopiers and scanners.  Please note that only the computer items listed will be accepted.  Televisions are not accepted.

In addition to the services listed above, citizens have the opportunity to shred their personal paperwork on-site.  A shredding truck will be provided for citizens to bring up to five boxes of paperwork to be shredded.  Staple and paperclip removal is not necessary, however binders, three-ring notebooks, accordion files and other metal objects are not acceptable to include in shredding materials.

At the collection, A VPPSA employee will ask which city or county you live in, and what materials you’ve brought.  Proof of residency may be required.  VPPSA staff will unload your vehicle. Please stay in your vehicle unless requested to do otherwise.

Please visit VPPSA.org for more information on acceptable and unacceptable materials.