03/22/2012 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Support education Come to the GEF Gala > page 11

Volume 57, Number 12 • March 22, 2012

Goochland man saved by some quick thinking By Jim Ridolphi Special Correspondent

The quick thinking and fast actions of some Oilville Exxon employees and patrons made the difference between life and death for one Goochland resident in a December incident. Just as Roger Hix pulled into the station and exited his vehicle, he collapsed on the pavement of the popular outlet just off Interstate 64. Employees inside the stateion

wasted no time in picking up the phone and calling 911. Beth Harcum, Kristin Smith and Kelvin Lewis immediately noticed that Hicks was experiencing a life threatening medical emergency and quickly took measures to help. Staff members and patrons joined in the rescue efforts After patrons and employees restored see Quick thinking > page 5

Photo by Ken Odor

Speakers sign up to address the board at last week’s Goochland School Board meeting. Many of the comments were prompted by unconfirmed reports of possible prinicpal changes at two Goochland schools.

Possible principal changes opposed Four other jobs eliminated By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

Fire-Rescue Chief Bill MacKay, left, stands with patient Roger Hix, Kelvin Lewis Spotsylvania Fire Lieutenant who had stopped for gas at Exxon, Beth Harcum, Employee of Oilville Exxon and Ned Creasey Chairman of the Goochland BOS. Lewis and Harcum’s quick thinking saved Hix’ s life.

INDEX

Calendar Classifieds Letters Obituaries

12 19-24 6 7

Opinion 6 Sheriff’s Reports 7 Sports 14-15 TV Listings 16-18

What might have been a relatively uneventful Goochland School Board meeting took on more drama last week, as a number of speakers told the board they did not want to see the Goochland High School

and Randolph Elementary School principals replaced. The board also approved, after a closed session late in the evening, a resolution eliminating four school positions, that of Testing Coordinator, Teacher Induction and Professional Development Specialist, Gifted and Enrichment Specialist, and Student Services Specialist as of June 30. But the first order of business was to deal with the principal con-

troversy. “What changed in this person’s leadership role for 39 years, what changed in the last two months since the newly elected board got on position?” asked George Nickalaou, referring to speculation that Randolph principal Dianna Gordon might be reassigned. Christina Griffith called Gordon an “outstanding leader and asked

SPORTS

NEWS

St. Catherine’s softball rolls to win

Local author on book festival panel

> page 14

> page 3

see School board > page 4

Thursday

EDUCATION: School Board and Academic News

March 22, 2012

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Members of the Goochland High School Drama Department rehearse for their production of “Grease.” They will present the play starting this Friday through Sunday.

Grease comes to Goochland High School By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com

The Goochland High School Drama Department will stage their production of “Grease,” a musical play that should have everyone in the audience tapping their feet at Goochland High School March 23, 24 and 25. While Olivia NewtonJohn and John Travolta will not appear to recreate the film roles of Sandy and Danny, the students cast in their roles are excited. “I’m very excited to be playing Sandy,” said sophomore Madelynn Hyman after rehearsal March 15. “I know I can’t play the role like Olivia Newton-John did. I’m just going to do the best that I can.” Hyman said that even though the play is set in the 50s, that everyone in the cast is into the production. “It’s really a fun play to do,” she said. “We get to sing and dance, and everybody is really enjoying it.”

Devan Vincent, a senior, will play the role of Danny that Travolta played in the film. Vincent was not present at the rehearsal. “Devan and Danny are exact opposites,” said drama teacher Neil Burch “Devan is a very nice young man and Danny is kind of rowdy. Devan has done a wonderful job of adapting to the character. He’s very excited to be playing the role.” When asked why the people of Goochland should come to the show, Burch was quick to respond. “It’s a fun musical,” he said. “It’s got a boy meets girl theme, and it’s a show that’s fun for the cast to perform and fun for the audience to experience.” Burch is in his first year as an employee of Goochland Public Schools. “I graduated from Ohio University and was looking for a job,” he said. “My fiancé had a job in Richmond so I started looking around and here I am. I really enjoy

Photo by Neil Burch

The production of Grease will transport the audience to the good times of the 50s Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Goochland High School. Dylan Douglas, left, plays Sonny; Nastacia Nickolaou is Marty and Ashby Neterer plays Kenickie.

my work here. The kids are very enthusiastic and great to work with.” More information on the production can be found at

the GHS website at http:// www.glnd.k12.va.us/index/ ghs/news_archives/the_ghs_ drama_department_presents/

Thursday

March 22, 2012

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“Mr. Harris has opened a whole

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Photo by Ken Odor

Sandy Fisher and his wife Rossie display his book, filled with photos from his time in Columbia as one of the first Peace Corps volunteers in 1962.

Former Peace Corps member will join book festival Sandy Fisher joined in 1962, the year the Corps was created By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

Still in college, Goochland resident Sandy Fisher traveled to Washington D.C. in 1961 to hear John F. Kennedy exhort Americans to give back to the country in his famous inaugural address. “Ask not what your country can do for you,” said Kennedy in a dramatic summation that those listening in person or to the address on TV and radio still

remember, “Ask what you can do for your country.” Fisher, then 21, decided he would do just that and joined the Peace Corps in 1962. Beside’s Kennedy’s stirring speech, Fisher said he was also influenced by his uncle LeMoyne Billings, a personal friend of the president who was involved in the Peace Corps. Last year Fisher published a book, “Colombia: Pictures and Stories,” with a collection of several hundred photos he took while serving with the Peace Corps in Columbia for two years. This weekend he and his wife Rossie will travel to Charlottesville to take part in the Virginia Festival of the Book. Fisher will be on a panel with three other authors discussing memoirs that will meet at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports at 1125 Emmet Street at 8 p.m. on Friday night.

“I had been interested in Columbia since high school,” said Fisher last week in an interview at Brookview Farm, where he and Rossie raise cattle. His high school roommate was from the South American country, he explained. Fisher plunged into his work in a town called Tenjo. “There were very few guidelines,” said Rossie.“Just go out and do what needed to be done.” So when he discovered that passable roads were one thing the area desperately needed, he put on a suit and visited the Minister of the Interior to ask to borrow trucks and heavy equipment to haul crushed stone to build them. Volunteers from the village loaded the stone see Fisher > page 4

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March 22, 2012

Fisher continued from > page 3 into the trucks with shovels, he recalls. “He’s always had the ability to get things done,” said Rossie of her husband. After a year in Tenjo, he was transferred to a coastal area when a Peace Corps supervisor there was injured in an accident. Fisher,

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by now 22, supervised 40 volunteers there during his second year. All the while he was documenting his experiences on film, constantly shooting photographs with an old Exacta camera and later a Nikon. “Every drawer in this house had pictures in it,” laughed Rossie. She said that Wayne Dementi and editor Katy Buford helped with the book. About four years ago he began writing about the place that became a second home to him and Rossie. They go back and visit regularly, after living

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there for seven years on a farm he bought after his stint in the Peace Corps. One of his favorite photos is on the cover: a group of young Columbian girls who played on a team in a basketball league Fisher started, an unusual thing in its time, when boys played but young girls worked, he explained. The Fishers have been back to Columbia 10 or more times since his days in the Peace Corps. As the country descended into the turmoil and violence caused by drug trafficking, they lost a ranch they owned to the chaos. “Our second ranch was taken over by drug people,” said Rossie. “We don’t know a single friend who doesn’t have a family member who has been kidnapped or murdered.” Still, conditions in Columbia have improved in recent years, said the couple. To learn more about the Photo by Ken Odor Virginia Festival of the Book, visit their web site at http://www. Sandy Fisher with the Nikon F camera he used to take many of the photos in his book on Columbia. Fisher wiil take part in a panel discussion on memiors at this weekend’s Virginia vabook.org/index.html/ Festival of the Book in Charlottesville.

School board continued from > page 1 the school board to retain her as RES principal. Johnny McLaughlin spoke in support of Goochland High School Principal Francie Ball, who is also thought to be under consideration for possible reassignment. “I’m tickled to death with the way the high school is run,” said McLaughlin. The concern resulted from a May 8 evening closed session meeting by the school board to discuss personnel matters and subsequent leaks to the press and the community on possible personnel changes the school board might be considering. Goochland School Board Chairwoman Beth Hardy read a prepared statement before the first public comment period in an attempt to

clarify what had happened. “These were confidential conversations that were to remain so until brought to the board in a public meeting. It is very upsetting that sensitive and confidential personnel information was made public,” said Hardy in her statement. “Regarding the proposed changes we are currently considering – none of it is personal; none of it, in these instances, is about performance; it is about change. The school board is considering some personnel changes to support a change in culture and leadership.” Hardy stressed that no decisions have been made regarding principals at Goochland schools. Other speakers came forward to defend the process. “I wish people would take a step back from the emo-

tional issues here and try to look at the bigger picture,” said Jane Christie. “This school board was elected on a promise to create new leadership and a new culture in our schools,” Christie told the meeting, which had been moved to the GHS auditorium and included a Goochland Sherriff ’s deputy who stood at the back of the auditorium. After the public comment period, the board considered several action items. • Delayed for two weeks modifying standard diploma graduation requirements in social studies until the policy can be rewritten. • Named school board members Michael Payne and John Wright as representatives to the Goochland Education Foundation. • Approved a field trip

by the GHS Jazz Choir to Washington, D.C. • Approved health insurance with a 1.9 percent premium increase, while noting that the option to require an employee contribution remains open. • Approved the ERate application, a request for reimbursement for telecommunications services from the U.S. Department of Education. After hearing information items and a second public comment period, the board went into closed session to discuss personnel and discipline matters, returning to vote on the resolution eliminating the four positions. The school board met again in closed session Monday evening for more than three hours to discuss personnel matters but took no action after reconvening.

Thursday

March 22, 2012

County appoints two to interim posts Staff Report

Goochland County has filled two vacant positions with the appointment of interim directors, according to an email from Deputy County Administrator John Wack to the Gazette. Wanda Tormey will serve as

Interim Purchasing Director, filling the spot held by K. C. McCullough, who left March 6 to pursue another employment opportunity. Part-time assistance will be added to help with accounts payable. In addition, the departments of Information Technology and Geographic Information Systems have been com-

bined and Qiana Foote has been named Interim Director of the new department, Information Systems Technology. Former Information Technology chief Bill Cleveland has left Goochland employ after 20 years of service to pursue other career opportunities. Recruitment for another technical position is proceeding.

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his pulse and stabilized him, Goochland County EMS technicians arrived and performed more life saving procedures eventually transporting him to hospital. The patient made a full recovery thanks to the quick thinking of the employees and patrons who rushed to his aid.

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The result is a deeply appreciative Hix, who took time at March’s board of supervisors meeting to thank the folks who saved his life. The board presented the employees with a resolution recognizing their life saving response, but Hixs’ words provided the most heartfelt thanks. “I’d like to thank all of them who saved my life that day,” Hicks said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here today.”

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OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

March 22, 2012

www.goochlandgazette.com

A week later After a week’s worth of reflection on the recent hubbub over the Goochland School Board’s recent closed meeting and subsequent leaks and public concern, here are a few observations: We heard two speakers at the recent school board meeting with different viewpoints on the closed meeting leaks. The first chided the school board for thinking that talking about changing principals could be kept under wraps. The second defended the school board’s expectation that what was discussed in closed session would remain confidential. Which leads one to the observation that often the way things ought to be, much as one might hope, simply is not the way they are. Remembering the controversy over the most recent principal changes, which led to one popular school principal leaving the system for a job in Chesterfield County, one might make the case that the school board was naïve in thinking such discussions would be kept private until a decision was reached. A second observation that springs to mind concerns Chairwoman Beth Hardy’s prepared statement in response to the leaks. In it Hardy defended the board’s actions, citing their authority to examine their options while noting that “…none of it (in these instances) is about performance; it is about change.” The statement then goes on to talk about creating a culture with a

multitude of positive attributes for staff and students. But if the performance of the two persons discussed is not at issue, what is the reason for possibly reassigning them? Whatever the new school board had hoped to achieve as far as creating a new culture, it looks like what happened only demonstrates that the honeymoon between them and at least some of their constituents is over. This is unfortunate. So far, we have praised the new school board for most of their efforts. But, although they can’t be blamed for the information leaks and the subsequent public controversy, maybe they should slow down and digest what they have bitten off before tackling any more fundamental changes. And changing school principals, in the eyes of students, parents and voters, is fundamental. Let us know what you think.

This Saturday’s GEF Gala at the Adams School should be something everyone in the community can support. We’ve always admired the goals and efforts of the foundation. In these days of tight budgets and difficult choices, this fundraiser promises a good time for everyone who wants better education in the county. See story on page 11.

www.goochlandgazette.com news@goochlandgazette.com sales@goochlandgazette.com For Classifieds: cgrant@mechlocal.com © 2011 by Richmond Suburban Newspapers. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher.

- Ken Odor

Joy Monopoli Publisher Ken Odor Editor Charles Leffler Sports Editor Jim Fields Senior Staff Writer Pam Sanders Sales Manager Stephanie Childrey Advertising Sales

Junkyard Dogs overcame obstacles The GHS Junkyard Dogs FIRST Robotics team overcame many obstacles to reach the quarter-finals of the Virginia Regional competition on Saturday, March 17, assisted by the support of generous local sponsors, including Luck Stone, and limited funding from GCPS. However, Goochland County

Public Schools did not make matters easy for these students. As soon as their previous coach left to teach in Henrico, the GHS Robotics team was unceremoniously kicked out of their build room, to make way for another weight-training room for the GHS football team. A few short weeks before the 6week engineering challenge began, and with a new coach who had no previous FIRST Robotics experience, the team still had no suit-

able place to build their robot, or store their tools. A lead on unused office space in Goochland Town Center was desperately pursued, but fell through. At the last minute, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College stepped in as a sponsor, saving the team from certain disaster, by donating the use of a room at their Goochland campus for the GHS robotics students to use. see Letter > page 8

CONTACT THE GOOCHLAND GAZETTE Joy Monopoli Ken Odor Charlie Leffler Jim Fields Pam Sanders Stephanie Childrey Cindy Grant

Publisher Editor Sports Editor Senior Staff Writer Sales Manager Sales Executive Classifieds

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Letters to the Editor

On a happier note

Thursday

OBITUARIES: Death Notices

March 22, 2012 Arturo Edythe Brown Arturo, of Henrico, formerly of Monroeville, Pa., departed this life March 4, 2012 at St. Mary’s Hospital. She was 87. Survived by son, Charles J. (Mary) Arturo; grandson, Stephen C. (Victoria) Arturo of Yorktown; and granddaughter, Julia M. Arturo. A Requiem Mass was held Sunday, March 18, 2012 at St. Luke’s Anglican Catholic Church, 555 River Road West (Rte. 6), Manakin-Sabot, Va. 23103. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Luke’s Building Fund. Brooks

Brooks and his wife, Billie Jo; his grandchildren, Josh and Jordan Padgett, Lindsey Sargent (Adam) and Justin Brooks; his great-grandchildren, Alexandra and Alana Sargent. He was a member of Goochland Baptist Church since 1948 and an active member of the Rockville Ruritans until his dementia was too progressed to attend the meetings. He was the lead singer of the Happy Days Gospel Singers for four decades. He worked for Dominion Power (VEPCO) for 37 years and retired in 1994. The family received friends Sunday, March 18, 2012 at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 W. Broad Street. A celebration of his life was held Monday, March 19, 2012 at Goochland Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Goochland Baptist Church Building Fund, 2454 Manakin Rd., ManakinSabot, Va. 23103.

Malcolm Lee Brooks, age 74, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 15, 2012. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Richardson Brooks; his parents, Martin and Helen Nuckols Brooks; his brother and sister-in-law, James Carl and Jane Brooks. He is surDale vived by his children, Gwen Brooks Padgett and her husJoyce Carter Burton Dale, band, Howard “Bo” Padgett 78, of Ophelia, Va., passed Jr., and Malcolm Mark away March 16, 2012. She was

a member of Afton United Methodist Church, Ophelia, Va. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, William “Billy” F. Dale Sr.; daughter, Vicki I. Dale of Powhatan; sons, William “Bill” F. Dale Jr. and his wife, Cindy, of Goochland and James A. Dale of Richmond; one brother, John C. Burton Jr. and his wife, Janice, of Chesterfield; three grandchildren, Joshua A. Dale, Reed Elizabeth Dale and Grace Elizabeth Dale. The family received friends at Faulkner Family Funeral Home, Burgess, Va., Sunday, March 18, 2012. The funeral service followed. Graveside services were held at Fairfields United Methodist Church Cemetery, Burgess, Va. Memorial donations may be made to the Haven Shelter, P.O. Box 1267, Warsaw, Va. 22572. Online remembrances may be made at faulknerfamilyfuneralhome.com. Johnson David E. Johnson, 86, passed away on March 15, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn and five stepchildren, three daughters, Bonnie

SHERIFF’S REPORTS: Incidents the influence of alcohol at location on Fairground Rd.

March 12 X

Suspect was in contempt of court at location on Bradshaw Rd.

Suspect eluded police at location on River Rd. W.

Suspect was driving under the influence of alcohol at location on Factory Mill Rd.

Suspect arrested for eluding police at location on Dover Bluff Place.

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(Lonnie), Carolyn, Connie (Robbie), and son James Johnson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beulah and son David Jr. He had grandchildren, great- grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Two sisters, Maude Bryant and Pauline Crews. Family received friends at the Norman Funeral Home, Goochland, Va., on Sunday, March 18, 2012. Graveside services were held on Monday, March 19, 2012 at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Goochland, Va.

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www.goochlandgazette.com Myles Carrie Sims Myles, was born Jan. 19, 1930 in Goochland, Va., to the late Charles and Bessie Sims. She departed this life suddenly on March 9, 2012, at the age of 82. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Charles Myles; and 10 siblings. Mrs. Myles was educated in the Goochland County Public School system and graduated from Central High School, class of ‘49. Carrie leaves to cherish her memory a devoted daughter,

Venice Skinner of Richmond, Va.; one brother, David Sims (Annie) of Richmond, Va.; one sister, Mildred Layne of Goochland, Va.; two grandchildren, Ricky McNeal Jr. of Richmond and Ivy McNeal of Glen Burnie, Md.; and a host of other loving relatives and friends. Family received friends at the Robert Mealy Funeral Home, Goochland, Va. Funeral service were held Thursday, March 15, 2012 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 5011 St. Paul’s Church see Obituaries > page 8

Thursday

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between GHS and JSRCC, and catching a bus over to the college every afternoon before they could start work. The room was only large enough to house the robot and tools, with very little space for the students and mentors to work, so they spent most of the season outside in the parking lot assembling the robot. Fortunately, the unusually mild and dry weather we experienced in January and February this year, enabled the team to progress, but the conditions were far from ideal. And JSRCC is not open on Sundays, which put additional pressure on the team, with only six short weekends

available to design and build their robot. It seems very sad that GCPS is doing so little to help our students develop the creative thinking and problem-solving abilities encouraged by FIRST Robotics, which can lead to college scholarships, and fulfilling careers in engineering, programming and businessrelated fields. While GCPS can apparently afford to spend over $100,000 per year on the GHS athletic director, and over $150,000 in supplements for GHS/GMS athletics coaches, we budget less than $20,000 to support STEM (Science, Technology,

Engineering and Math) for all the students in our school system. Have we got our priorities right here? Corporate sponsors of the FIRST Robotics competition made it quite clear on Saturday that they want to hire students with the skills developed by this program. Wouldn’t it be great if GCPS, and our community, could step up to the plate here, and do more to support this STEM initiative for the future benefit of our children and our society?

Obituaries

the U.S. Army 1954-56. He then returned to the family home in Goochland and spent his life farming with his devoted brother, Thomas, and providing loving care for their father and mother until their deaths. His family and friends will miss his stories, sense of humor, and self-taught musical talents. Special thanks for Mr. Ragland’s care go to James Hauser, as well as the staffs of Meadow Glen, A Heart for You, and Hospice of Virginia. Family received friends and a funeral service was also held on Friday, March 16, 2012 at Ragland Memorial Baptist Church, 2838 Sandy Hook Rd., Goochland. Graveside services were held at the Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, family suggests contributions to National Parkinson Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th Ave., Miami, Fla. 33136-1494. Norman Funeral Home assisting family.

shared with him. Surviving are two loving sisters, Edna Banton of Manakin-Sabot, Va., and Marjorie Tyler of Boston, Mass.; three close and caring brothers, Samuel Snead of Manakin-Sabot, Va., Randolph Snead of Henrico and Dwight Snead Sr. of Glen Allen; two sisters-in-law, Alma Snead of Glen Allen and Sophine Snead of Henrico; two brothers-in-law, Jeffrey McCray of White Plains, N.Y., and Arthur Hudson of Richmond; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, greatnephews, cousins and many friends who crossed paths with him during his lifetime. Family received friends at Scott’s Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd., Sunday, March 18, 2012. Funeral services were held Monday, March 19, 2012 at First Baptist Church, 214 River Road West, ManakinSabot, Va. Rev. Dr. Deborah Sams, pastor, officiated. Graveside services were held at Greenwood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to First Baptist Church Building Fund. Online guest book at www.scottsfuneralhome.com.

continued from > page 7 Road, Goochland, Va. 23063. Reverend Bruce Claiborne officiated. Ragland

NEW!

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Charles Lindbergh Ragland “Lindy,” 83, died March 13, 2012 at Meadow Glen Assisted Living in Richmond. Born and raised in Goochland, Mr. Ragland was predeceased by his parents, Thomas F. Ragland Sr. and Nell B. Ragland; his brother, Harold Ragland; his sisters, Valerie Roberts and Bernice Simon; nephews Cecil Ragland Jr., Stuart Ragland, and niece Linda Kulakowski. He is survived by his special daughter, Rebecca Z. Swan; siblings, Thomas Ragland Jr., Cecil Ragland, Catherine Coughlin, Betty Nielsen, and Barbara Sheppard. He is also survived by nieces Mary Clark, Judy Compton, Jeannie Day, Priscilla Waybright; and nephews Bob, Michael, and Tom Coughlin, Bill Nielsen, Wayne Ragland, Rod Roberts, Duane Sheppard, James Simon, and John Soles. Mr. Ragland served in

Snead Calvin C. Snead, 91, was called to eternal rest March 14, 2012. He leaves family and many friends to recollect the beautiful memories they

Jane A. Christie Manakin Sabot,

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March 22, 2012

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

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The Goochland High School Junkyard Dogs Beat the Odds Contributed Report

Can a team of high school students really design, build and program a robot, in only six weeks, to play basketball and cooperate with other robots to achieve a state of perfect balance on a teetertotter? These were some of the engineering challenges faced by members of Team 2106, the GHS Junkyard Dogs, as they prepared for the 21st annual FIRST® Robotics competition - the Rebound RumbleTM. The Virginia Regionals, held March 15-17, at the VCU Siegel Center, brought together 59 teams from Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and as far away as Holland. In this competition,sponsored by the public charity, FIRST® (Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), robots compete in 2 ½ minute matches, shooting baskets in both autonomous and remote-controlled mode, into hoops set up at three different heights. Teams can also balance up to two robots on “bridges” to score maximum match points. Coached for the first time this year by Scot Patterson, the GHS

Physics teacher, the Junkyard Dogs was one of the smallest teams in the competition, with only 12 high school members. But that didn’t prevent them from earning a place in the quarter- finals, for the first time in the team’s six year history! Sponsors include Luck Stone, GCPS and J. Sarg. Community College. The team is mentored by John Julock, Scott and Deanna Spivey, Adeeb Hamzey and Malcolm Shedden, who said, “It was fascinating to see how the same challenge created so many different robot designs, utilizing numerous strategies – teams could co-operate to help one another onto the bridges, or run interference to stop opposing teams from shooting baskets”! Decked out in their team colors, and urged on by school mascots, students showed their team spirit as they danced the Macarena and the Slide and screamed their enthusiastic support for their teams. This three day event offers students the opportunity to network with other engineers and leaders and demonstrate real-world engineering, marketing and public relations skills. FIRST® also offers awards for website design, “gracious professionalism”, creating 10’ X 10’“pits” to display team

Contributed Photo

Coach Scot Patterson, mentors John Julock and Malcolm Shedden, and team members Devan, Jake, Katie, Ben, Drew, Aaron, Lindsay, Bobby, Max, Zach and Sammie pictured with their robot, after qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Virginia Regionals FIRST Robotics competition.

robots, supporting STEM within the community and actively promoting safety. With over $14.7 million in

scholarships available to FIRST® came across loud and clear, “We participants, the message from want to hire YOU”! speakers on behalf of sponsors For more information, and BECHTEL, Stihl and GEICO to learn about sponsoring, join-

ing or mentoring this growing STEM initiative in Goochland, please visit http://goochlandrobotics.com/Contact.html

Local 4th of July celebration coming to an end after 30 years Contributed Report

After 30+ years of hosting the local 4th of July Celebration, Cartersville Ruritan Club regretfully calls an end to this longstanding tradition. “We’ve had many successful years, first on the Greens overlooking the James River and more recently at the Club’s location in Cartersville on Route 45. For many years, this has been the biggest event in Cartersville and

Cumberland County. When we lost the Greens four years ago, we were worried that the event would suffer. To our surprise, the first year was a success and people enjoyed the change in venue. Unfortunately with the troubled economy and surrounding counties now hosting their own celebrations, our show now has competition. Add to that, the licensing, permits, and insurance costs now needed to host a fireworks

display, and it has become cost prohibitive to continue this much loved tradition,” says President Norman Lewis. The Club promises to host other smaller events throughout the year. Fundraisers will include the annual Community Birthday calendar, Golf Tournament, and Raffles. The Club House and tents for outside events is also available to rent by the general public. Mr. Lewis is encourag-

ing members to “think outside of the box and let’s try some new things. Both the club and the community will truly miss the 4th as a time of gathering of old friends and family reunions. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to all of the folks, members and friends alike, who came year after to year to work the event as well as to enjoy it.” Special recognition goes to the Cartersville Rescue

Squad, Cumberland Sheriff’s Department, Carterville Fire Department and the band Southern Ambition; as well as the following businesses who faithfully supported this event – Blanton and Pleasants, MoJohns, Lacey’s, and Dunn Gas –many participated for some 30 years. The Cartersville Ruritan plans to continue to support local organizations as well as continue its scholarship pro-

gram which awards scholarships to local residents in pursuit of higher education. The Club is also in the midst of a New Membership Drive and encourages all members of the Community to join this civic organization whose goal is to “Enrich and Give back to our local community.”. Lewis ended by saying, “We will continue with God’s help and community support and strive for a brighter future ahead of us.”

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March 22, 2012

OPINION: Guest Column

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Saying goodbye to the print version of the Encyclopedia By Scott Hollifield Media General News Service

Who shall most mourn the death of the printed encyclopedia? I suggest those who still have a functioning Evel Knievel toy stunt cycle. By now, the March 13 news that the current printed version of the Encyclopedia Britannica will be its last – at least until the Internet blows up – is as old and tired as looking stuff up in books. Writers and commentators have waxed nostalgically on the demise of these revered tomes of knowledge in the wake of the digital revolution. Prepare for some additional waxing. It won’t hurt much. I’ll do it really fast. My childhood encyclopedias weren’t from the good folks at Britannica, where the current and final printed edition is going for a reasonable $1,395 if you believe $53.65 cents per volume is reasonable. No slick salesman peddling knowledge came to our door, mainly because our door was a quarter mile down a dirt road. Any slick salesman worth his salt would glance off the blacktop and conclude, “Folks back in there can’t read and are most likely well armed” and move on to greener,

less dusty pastures. But we could read and we needed information for thirdgrade reports on state flowers, dinosaurs and countries that no longer exist today. We could not solely depend on elementary school encyclopedias, which were in disrepair – pages missing, pictures defaced. “Jimmy, did you draw this, uh, thing on the Brontosaurus?” “Yeah.” “OK, we’re going to need to go back to the counselor’s office.” We got a set of grocery store encyclopedias. The deal may have been one free volume for every eight pounds of ground chuck purchased, but they were sturdy, hardback, colorful and contained a wealth of information on everything from apples to zebras. I recall the entry on space exploration: “Someday, man will walk on the moon.” The problem was, it was 1974. Again, these tomes of knowledge did not come from the good folks at Britannica but they served a house full of boys well for many years. We whipped out reports like mad little men. All we had to do was change every fifth word and we believed in our hearts the work was ours. “You didn’t copy this, did you?”

“No, ma’am.” “How would you pronounce this word, then?” “I would pronounce it just like you would.” It wasn’t long before volumes went missing, sucked into the black hole of things that disappear when children are involved. First there would be no reports on bees, boats or Barcelona. Then, tadpoles, thermal expansion and Harry Truman were off the table. Eventually, carp, the Canary Islands and George Washington Carver were added to the list of topics to avoid if possible. And, at some point, we discovered what we believed at the time to be the best use for our grocery store encyclopedias: Evel Knievel stunt cycle ramps. For those who don’t know, the Evel Knievel stunt cycle, modeled after the famous daredevil and his Harley, was arguably the finest toy of the ‘70s. It worked exactly as advertised. Wind it up and the miniature Evel Knievel shot across the room on his motorcycle, jumped things and crashed, much like the real Evel Knievel. Our encyclopedias, their spines cracked from use and misuse, made perfect ramps to propel Evel high into the air. Stack them, open the hard

cover of the top book until it rested on the floor and instant ramp. Evel jumped aardvarks, astronauts and Aztecs. He jumped Edison, emus and Ethiopia. In real life, Evel jumped cars and trucks. At our house, Evel jumped words and

knowledge that, in retrospect, we were lucky to have. RIP, printed encyclopedia. I may not have a working Evel Knievel toy stunt cycle – at least not at the moment – but I, too, will miss you. Scott Hollifield is editor/

GM of The McDowell News in Marion, NC and a columnist for the Media General News Service. Contact him at PO Box 610, Marion, NC 28752 or email rhollifield@mcdowellnews. com. Visit his Facebook fan page.

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NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

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Elizabeth Nelson-Lyda shows off a Tiki Hut Umbrella, one of the prizes at the Goochland Education Foundation’s First Annual Spring Gala, set for this Saturday evening at the Adams International School.

Kick up your heels at the GEF Gala By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

If you’re itching to have some fun and to support a good cause, both at the same time, the Goochland Educational Foundation’s First Annual Spring Gala could be just what you’re looking for. Brainchild of GEF President Elizabeth Nelson-Lyda, the event takes place at the Adams International School at 1655 Broad Street Road in Maidens. The theme is “Giddy Up,” denoting a Western motif. GEF’s flyer encourages all to don their “dancin’ boots, cowboy hat and bandana and come on out...”

Nelson-Lyda said she swiped the idea from friends on other boards. “That’s how they bring in a significant amount of funding,” she said last week at her home near Goochland High School, where she showed off some of the door prizes and items for the silent auction. Nelson-Lyda said although the foundation has been around for since 2009, she still gets questions on what it is. The answer is simple. According to the GEF mission statement, “The Goochland Education Foundation resolves to secure private and public funding to

support, enrich, and maximize learning and fine arts opportunities with a focus on rigor, relevance, and respect.” Nelson-Lyda emphasized that GEF supports public and private education for both children and adults. A big goal for the future is to fund a “SOL Remediation Intervention and Enrichment program at the county’s three elementary schools. NelsonLyda said this could cost as much as $100,000 per year. But that’s in the future. For more information on the gala, go to the web site at http:// conta.cc/GEFGala or contact Nelson-Lyda at 804 439-4591.

Goochland 1949 Sandy Hook Road 556-6722 Centerville 100 Broad Street Road 784-4000 Louisa 217 East Main Street 540-967-5900

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CALENDAR: Events in Goochland County

March 22, 2012 Friday, March 23 Community

Calendar

is a free service of The Goochland Gazette. This space is only for nonprofit special events and service organizations in the county. To submit a notice, include only name, event, date, time, location and purpose. Also, include a contact name and phone number. Limit items to 75 words or less. Deliver notices: e-mail (events@ goochlandgazette.com),

Mail

(6400 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville, Va. 23111), Fax, (7300476) clearly marked Community Calendar. For information, call 746-1235 Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Deadline is Fri. 3 p.m.

Byrd Elementary School PTA, a Non-Profit Organization, will be hosting a silent auction and dinner event. All the funds, 100 percent, go to educational field trips, afterschool programs, and supplemental student programs. Goochlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Byrd Elementary School has the highest level of low income families in Goochland County and donations have helped our PTA supplement their programs. PreSale tickets call 441-5994 $5 per person/all ages. Italian theme dinner to be held at Byrd Elementary School, 2704 Hadensville-Fife Rd., Goochland, Va. 23063.

The Mustard Seed Sale, a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s toy and clothing consignment sale, is coming. They are currently accepting consignors and volunteers. Please visit their website at www.mustardseedsale.org or call Life Assembly at 804-7843361.

Wool Felting Workshop at the Goochland Branch Library Saturday, March 24 at 1 p.m. Ages 13 and up. Strike Out Cancer Bowling Textile artist Eve Barenholtz

will lead a workshop on wool felting. Please bring an old towel. Registration is required. Limit 10 participants. Call 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

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located at 2955 River Rd. W., Goochland, from 10-12 p.m. and shop for the items that will make your night the dream you deserve. All items are deeply discounted or available for your donation, no entrance fee. All proceeds will benefit Relay For Life Goochland. Contact Jami Perkins with questions, jperkins749@gmail.com or www. relayforlife.org/goochland.

$10 donation per person. For more information please call 1-434-589-8552. Wednesday, March 28 Relay for Life Spirit Night at Short Pump Chick-fil-A from 5-8 p.m. Just tell your cashier you are supporting Relay For Life of Goochland and 20 percent of sales benefit our event. The Relay Committee will be on hand to address questions and help your team succeed! Further details at www. relayforlife.org/goochland or find us on Facebook.

The Goochland High School All Night Graduation Committee is collecting items for an upcoming yard sale. Items can be dropped off today from 9-11 a.m. at the Town and Country Storage The Mt. Gilead Purple Unit C16, which is located Hearts Relay Team invites behind the Goochland you to a Bingo Party to benPharmacy efit the American Cancer Society. It will be held at the Please join the Gifted Need a dress or accessories Hadensville Firehouse Co. 6. for your upcoming Prom or Doors open at 6 p.m. and Advisory Committee at 7 special Spring Event? Please Bingo starts at 7 p.m. Baked see Calendar > page 18 join Grace Episcopal Church goods and hot dogs available.

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Goochland American Legion Post 215 Auxiliary members pose with the tryke the auxiliary bought for the Spinal Cord Rehab Unit at McGuire Veterans Hospital. Seated from left are Jenna Nelson and Mary Ligon. Standing from right are Chris Peters and Jan Nelson. If you have ever wondered where the money you donated for a poppy on Memorial Day weekend went, this tryke is just one of the items the auxiliary has purchased. This year, in addition to the tryke, Post 215 auxiliary also purchased 64 tote bags and lap blankets for servicemen to use in the Dialysis Unit. In addition, phone cards are purchased so servicemen can be in touch with their loved ones back home. Previously the Heart Unit has been a recipient of equipment, pillows and other needed items to aid in the recovery from heart transplants and other heart surgeries. Auxiliary members, as well as Post 215 veterans, will be out in force again at local businesses on Memorial Day weekend with poppies. Open up your heart and your pocketbook so that McGuire veterans will continue to receive the help they so desperately need. After all, they have sacrificed so much for the freedom we all take for granted.

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March 22, 2012

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Fluvanna runs away from sluggish Goochland By Jim Ridolphi Special Correspondent

What starts out great doesn’t always end well… and vice versa. The Goochland Bulldogs began their 2012 baseball season with a 10-1 loss to the Fluvanna Flucos. The visitors got on the scoreboard quickly, pushing a run across after stringing together a couple of first inning hits combined with a Bulldog error. After the first inning, starting pitcher Austin Goyne provided four innings of solid work but the Bulldog bats couldn’t answer the one run deficit. “I thought Austin pitched well tonight,” said Goochland coach Wes Farkas. “It’s early in the season and we had him

Photo by Jim Ridolphi

Fluvanna shortstop T.J. Dudley (3) and second baseman Cody Herndon (5) set up as Goochland’s Jess McLaughlin (20) slides in safely at second. The Bulldogs eventually lost to the Flucos 10-1.

on a pretty strict pitch count. We wanted to keep him rested for our district game next week.” However, the Goochland

relievers never found a groove and Fluvanna exploded for five runs in the fifth including two doubles. They then added four more in the seventh.

Fluco starter Brock Harris kept the Bulldog lineup guessing, and recorded his first win of the season. Coach Mike Sheridan felt the victory was the exact opposite of what happened to his team in their opener against Spotsylvania. “We jumped up on Spotsy 7-2 and were playing really well,” Sheridan said. “We came in without relief pitchers and nibbled and didn’t attack the zone and that got us in trouble. They came back and beat us 14-10. We learned how to finish tonight.” Fluvanna experienced no similar problems against the Bulldogs. “Brock started and went strong innings,” Sheridan said. “We were patient and made them get us out and it worked out tonight.” Farkas didn’t overplay the

loss. “It’s early in the season, and we have some things we need to work on,” he said. “We knew that coming in.” Despite the Bulldogs’ sluggish, four-hit performance, Farkas thinks the offense will work out the kinks. “This is a good hitting ball club,” he said. “We’re better than we played tonight.” With a supply of pitchers, the coaching staff is still looking to sort out the talent. “We’re still trying to figure out who can do what for us on the mound,” Farkas said. “They were battle tested tonight. As far as the future, I think we have the right guys and it’s just a matter of piecing them together as we get in the late innings.” The Bulldogs get another chance at the Flucos this

Friday when they travel to Fluvanna for a second matchup of the young season. Goochland also opens district play against Central on Thursday and travels to Louisa for a non-district matchup on Tuesday. Sheridan knows beating the Bulldogs twice will not be an easy assignment. “They are a good baseball team and I guarantee you when it’s all said and done, they’ll be playing for a state championship in Single A.” Fluvanna 1 0 0 0 5 0 4 — 10 11 1 Goochland 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 — 1 4 2 Fluvanna- Harris and Algieri. Goochland- Goyne, Knuckles (5), Brookman (5), Moechmig (6), Starke (7) and Pierce. W — Harris. L — Goyne. Highlights: Scott Pierce (G) 2 for 2; Chase Brookman (G) 1 for 4, 2B, RBI; Austin Goyne 8 Ks. Records: Fluvanna 1-1; GHS 0-1

Saints roll past Gators in softball opener By Charlie Leffler cleffler@goochlandgazette.com

St. Catherine’s scored six runs in the first two innings and that was all the cushion they needed to cruise past rival St. Gertrude’s 13-6 in the LIS softball opener for both teams. The defending LIS champion Saints, got strong performances on the mound from Molly Phillips and Raven Baytops. Phillips notched six strikeouts in five innings of work and Baytops four K’s as a closer in the final two. While clicking on the mound, the Saints were even more impressive at the plate. They didn’t score off big hits but instead efficiently chipped their way through the Gator defense to score 13 runs on 17 hits. “We do have a lot of strong bats in the top of the lineup and then the great pitching from Molly Philips and Raven and

good defense behind them,” said St. Catherine’s coach Tara DiGiacomo. One unexpected early season obstacle for both teams was the 82 degree weather that began to sap the players strength as the game went on. “In the summer that’s a cool front coming through but our bodies are just not adjusted to the warm weather,” DiGiacomo said. “Our catcher was dying for water but come May this weather will be nothing to us.” Even though they returned eight players from last season, DiGiacomo admits there were nerves facing a rival in their season opener. “Absolutely, I’m always nervous,” she said. “You never know what you’re going to get from St. Gertrude. Last year when we saw them the second time it went to a one run game and I knew they would be ready to come at us.” But the Saints appeared to

be ready as well. After forcing the Gators into a three-andout in the top of the first, St. Catherine’s immediately went to work sending eight batters to the plate in the bottom of the half of the inning. With one out, Caroline Vath singled down the left field line and Mary Kate Crook singled past short. Baytops (4-for-4, 4 RBI, 3 runs) dropped a RBI single into short center and Vath scored. Next up, Alex Chriscoe beat out a slow rolling shot to second and the bags were loaded. Crook made the lead 2-0, scoring on a pitch in the dirt and a RBI single up the middle by Lale Herguner drove in Baytops for a 3-0 lead. St. Gertrude got on the scoreboard in the top of the second. Elizabeth Milton was walked and stole second on a pitch in the dirt. A misplayed shot from Elizabeth Marcello

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Photo by Charlie Leffler

St. Catherine’s Mary Kate Crook (12) slides in for a score beating a tag from St. Gertrude catcher Sarah Cronin.

put runners at the corners. Marcello then made the perfect decoy stealing second, allowing Milton a free pass at home on the attempted pickoff throw. The Saints picked up where they left off in the bottom of the second. With one out, Phillips reached on a shot

down the right line, Vath beat out a bloop shot short of the mound and Crook was walked. With the bases loaded, Baytops produced the Saints only big hit of the day on a 2 RBI shot to the center field fence. A sacrifice fly to left by Chriscoe allowed Crook to

make the lead 6-1 after two. St. Gertrude momentarily made things interesting in the top of the fourth when Phillips walked Meghan Gallagher and Hailey Coleman to start the inning. A single down the right line from Milton drove in Gallagher and Coleman added to the lead when Sarah Cronin’s shot to third was misplayed at first. Milton pulled the Gators within two, 6-4, on a shot to short from Catherine Rolland. The Saints answered in the bottom of the inning. Crook was walked and advanced to third on a single from Baytops. A groundout to the mound from Chriscoe allowed Crook to score and a looper over second from Kristina Caesar drove in Baytops for an 8-4 lead. The Gators came back once again in the top of the fifth. see Saints >page 15

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March 22, 2012

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Ryan gets fired up, so does Benedictine Konvicka led Benedictine by going 4-for-4 at the plate with a double and a triple, scoring four runs and driving in three. Slough was 2-for-3 with four RBIs and Geary went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. “Not to sound cocky, but we knew they were going to have to score more than four runs to beat us,” Childress said. So did Poore, who never intended for his Knights to go “punch-for-punch” with the Cadets’ explosive offense. “We didn’t put up a zero [on the scoreboard] all day,” he added. “We knew they were

By Jim McConnell Media General News Services

Sean Ryan tried to be patient. The Benedictine baseball coach watched his team sleepwalk through most of its first two games against Greenbrier Christian and Bishop Sullivan, both of which the Cadets still managed to win. When it looked like more of the same midway through last Wednesday’s nonconference game against Blessed Sacrament Huguenot, Ryan decided he finally had seen enough. The Cadets led 8-4 as they prepared to bat in the bottom of the fourth inning when Ryan gathered his players in the dugout for a brief, but direct, wakeup call. The coach didn’t mince words as he pointed out the team’s lack of chatter and spirit, calling it “the worst dugout atmosphere we’ve had in my nine years as coach here.” Message sent. Message received. Benedictine responded to Ryan’s pep talk with a six-run explosion using four hits, two walks and an error to break the game open. The contest ended after five innings due to the mercy rule with the Cadets leading 15-5. “I didn’t say anything for the first three innings because I wanted to see if it would fix itself,” Ryan said. “We weren’t playing with any energy. I didn’t see a sense of urgency at any point. I told them, ‘We play a 30-game schedule. If we’re flat in Game 3, we’re going to be in trouble.’” BSH got off to a fast start, scoring two runs in each of the first two innings against hard-throwing senior Colton Konvicka, getting RBI singles from T.J. Dobrucky, Tyler Dobrucky and Nathaniel Settle

Photo by Jim McConnell

Benedictine’s Michael Childress, right, gets congratulations after scoring one of his three runs.

to take an early 4-3 lead. It lasted only long enough for the speedy Konvicka to reach on an infield single, steal second and third then motor home when catcher Greg Woody’s throw sailed past starting pitcher Stephen Bendele. BSH committed two more errors in the inning, but allowed only two runs because Settle came up firing after Alec Walker’s single to center to throw out Dallas Wood trying to score from second. “We were in it early and were swinging the bats well. We just made some mistakes and you can’t do that against Benedictine,” BSH coach James Poore said. “You can’t do that against any good team and expect to win.” Benedictine put up eight runs in its first three at-bats against the Knights, who won the Virginia Independent Schools Division 3 state championship in 2010 and reached the state final last season. Cadet right fielder Michael Childress (3-for-4, three runs, two RBIs) acknowledged he and his teammates “got mad” after Ryan’s impromptu team

meeting. “We’re a quiet team. Everybody is pretty laid-back. I think sometimes that anger gives us a little fuel,” Childress said. “I think Coach [Ryan] knows what buttons to push to get our attention.” The Cadets opened the

fourth inning by loading the bases on two walks and an infield error. Konvicka emptied them with a triple, then Childress added an RBI single before David Geary and Sam Slough added back-to-back run-scoring doubles to make it 14-4.

Saints

and Phillips. Vath scored when Baytops blasted a line drive off the short stops’ glove. Chriscoe drove in pinch runner Bridget Kastelberg and Baytops made the lead 13-6 on a shot to short from Mia Harris. With the lead secured, Baytops came to the mound to close out the game. “The girls looked great,” DiGiacomo said. “Do we have things to work on? Absolutely, but I think everyone will say that after their first game.”

continued from >page 14 A lead off triple for Cronin was followed by a successful bunt from Elizabeth Puccinelli. Cronin scored off a Gallagher shot to short and Puccinelli made the score 8-6, scoring on a throw in the dirt. DiGiacomo attributed the Gator comeback to lack of early season conditioning by her Saints. “I think it’s just fatigue, endurance, we’re not there yet,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll get there soon. But I think we need to be seven inning game ready.” Once again the Saints found an answer. Singles from Anne Szymendera, Phillips and Vath loaded the bases and a single up the center from Crook drove in Szymendera

St. Gertrude’s 0 1 0 3 2 0 0 – 6 4 2 St. Catherine’s 3 3 0 2 5 0 x – 13 17 2 Reardon and Cronin; Phillips, Baytops (6) and Crook, Kastelberg (7). W — Phillips. L — Reardon. Highlights: Elizabeth Milton (St.G) 2 for 2, run, RBI; Delaney Brown (St. G) 1 for 4, 3B, run; Raven Baytops (St.C) 4 for 4, 4 RBIs, 3 runs; Molly Phillips (St.C) 3 for 5, 2B; Caroline Vath (St.C) 3 for 5. Records: St. Gertrude’s 0-1, 0-1 LIS; St. Catherine’s 1-0, 1-0

going to keep coming at us.” Jim McConnell is the sports editor for The Powhatan Today and The Midlothian Exchange. BSH.................... 2 2 0 0 1 — 5 8 5 Benedictine....... 3 2 3 6 1 — 15 16 4 Bendele, Prince (3), TJ Dobrucky (3), Woody (4) and Woody, Cary (4); Konvicka, Keating (4) and Slough, Cadden (5). W — Konvicka. L — Bendele. Highlights: T.J. Dobrucky (BSH) 2 for 3, run, RBI; Tyler Dobrucky (BSH) 2 for 3, run, RBI; Colton Konvicka (B) 4 for 4, 2B, 3B, 4 runs, 2 RBIs; Michael Childress (B) 3 for 4, 2B, 3 runs, 2 RBIs; Sam Slough (B) 2 for 3, 2B, 4 RBIs; David Geary (B) 2 for 3, 2 2B, 2 runs; 2 RBIs. Records: Blessed Sacrament Huguenot 0-1, Benedictine 3-0

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March 22, 2012

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