06/09/2011 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE A family of re-enactors > page 4

Volume 57, Number 23 • June 9, 2011

Palen announces run for School Board By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

Goochland Education Association (GEPA) Chairman Penny Palen said Monday she will run for the Goochland School Board District 2 seat in November now held by Raymond A. Miller. Palen said the turning point in her decision came when a GEPA member asked her, “You’re going to be at the School Board meetings anyway, why not make a difference?” Palen, 46, a former mortgage banker, now works as an independent con-

tractor for several mortgage and insurance companies, performing property inspections on real estate in default or foreclosure. She and her husband Mike Marcialis, Senior Facilities Manager for Capital One, Central Virginia, live in Sandy Hook have two children who attend Goochland schools, a son who will be in the seventh grade at GMS in the fall and a daughter heading into the third grade at Goochland Elementary School. A career relocation by Palen’s husband brought the family to central see Palen > page 4 Photo by Ken Odor

Tearful Goochland High School graduate Katie Newman gets a hug from her friend Allie Perry after the end of the graduation ceremony last Friday at the Arthur Ashe Center.

Goochland High School seniors get their diplomas in the cool By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

Photo by Ken Odor

Goochland Education Parents Association Chairman Penny Palen said Monday she is running for School Board in District 2.

INDEX

Calendar 12 Classifieds 13-15 Letters 6-8 Local Exchange B1

Obituaries Opinion Sports TV Listings

8 6 9 10-12

For GHS ValedictorianCallie Alvis, high school went by too quickly. “I know for a fact that I never imagined that when I walked through those doors freshman year that the next four years would fly by

so fast,” said Alvis, speaking from the podium at the Arthur Ashe Center to her classmates and their families and friends. One hundred seventy five seniors graduated this year, with almost all making the walk across the stage to pick up their diplomas. In contrast to last year’s torrid

temperatures on the football field at GHS, it was comfortably cool in the Ashe Center, with plenty of room for all who wanted to attend. “We’ll move mountains,” said Senior Class President Carrie Mills in her remarks. “We’ll be famous thanks

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Season ends for Goochland softball

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> page 9

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Thursday

EDUCATION: School Board and Academic News

June 9, 2011

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Graduation continued from > page 1 to our teachers.â&#x20AC;? A touching moment came in the ceremony when Principal Francie Ball presented an honorary diploma to Christina Maxwell, mother of senior Billy Maxwell, who was killed in an as yet unsolved incident, presumed to be a hit and run accident last September on Broad Street Road. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This class has endured loss,â&#x20AC;? said Ball. But there were also the presentations for perfect attendance to Justin Meyer for making it to school every day in the 2010-11 school year and the award to Ryan Coles, who never missed a single day in his entire 13 years in Goochland public schools! Alvis urged her classmates to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Make every moment

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Christina Maxwell gets a hug from GHS Principal Francie Ball after receiving an honorary diploma for her son Billy Maxwell, who was killed last year in an unsolved accident.

count,â&#x20AC;? as she urged them to â&#x20AC;&#x153;find what makes you happy and do it.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;How will you leave the world a better place?â&#x20AC;? asked Salutatorian Casey Doody in her address, calling graduation â&#x20AC;&#x153;a jumping off point, the time when we are charged with taking what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned and molding it into a path that represents our individuality.â&#x20AC;? Before the diplomas were handed out, some of those who came talked about how they felt. Bill Boinest was clutching his camera as he sat in the bleachers with his son, waiting for grandson William Calhoun Boinest, III to get his

diploma. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a real mark in life,â&#x20AC;? said Bill, who said his grandson would be going to Hampden Sydney College just as he did many years earlier. Nettie Tyler said she had come to see a friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter, Tiara Monay Sharpe, get her diploma. Asked about her own graduation Tyler said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I remember it just like it was yesterday.â&#x20AC;? Little League coach Jeremy Osbourne and his wife Joy, a county school bus driver, said they were there to see kids they coached and drove on the school bus graduate. Ann McJunkins, attending with her husband Roy, was

there to see their grandson Orrin Herzwurm graduate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really going to miss this boy,â&#x20AC;? said Ann. When it was all over, the usual hugs and picture taking started. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of my favorite parts of the year,â&#x20AC;? said School Board Chairman Ivan Mattox, who would only pause for a second to talk after the ceremony. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to get out there and shake those hands,â&#x20AC;? he said. Concluding her third GHS graduation, Ball called it â&#x20AC;&#x153;a wonderful celebration. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the few times when everyone comes and leaves with a smile on their face.â&#x20AC;?

Goochlander is Virginia Operaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s board of governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president Contributed Report

The Virginia Operaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Richmond board of governors has elected Kemper K. Hyers of ManakinSabot as its president. Hyers succeeds Jeannie P. Baliles. He is the first board president from Goochland County. The 2011-2012 season includes Verdiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aida, Humperdinckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hansel and Gretel, Glassâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Orphee and Gilbert and Sullivanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Mikado.

Thursday

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

June 9, 2011

New writer will split time between Mechanicsville and Goochland Staff Reports news@goochlandgazette.com

Richmond Suburban Newspapers has announced that Jim Fields has joined its staff and will serve as a general assignment reporter for The Mechanicsville Local and The Goochland Gazette. “We are pleased to have Jim join the staff and know our communities will benefit from his many contacts and years of experience,” Joy Monopoli, RSN publisher, said. He has a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina and has worked for both weekly, community oriented newspapers and daily publica-

write a story that might influ- e-mail at jfields@mechlocal.com ence change, but when you work or by phone at 804-971-8696. for a community oriented paper, sometimes you are the reason change occurs.” Fields and his wife have three adult children and two grandchildren. “Including my wife, I have several things I am passionate about,” he said. “My grandchildren bring me a great deal of pleasure, and I am a shameless, dedicated University of North Carolina basketball and New York Yankees baseball fan. Fields If someone ever has time to tions. spare, just get me started talking “I enjoy working for papers about them and we’ll kill several like The Local and The Gazette,” hours.” Fields said. “When you work on Fields can be contacted by a larger paper, you sometimes

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NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

June 9, 2011

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Goochland family relives its history through re-enacting By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com

Someone once said, “Before we can plot a course for our future, we need to know where we have been.” Goochland County resident Dr. Douglas Paul Pruiett Sr. is not only an amateur genealogist, but he and his family live out his family history by taking

part in Civil War related events. “I guess for lack of a better title, you can say we are reenactors,” he said. “We aren’t the type that goes to encampments, recreate the fighting of battles and live the hard soldier’s life. We take part in historical events, memorials, grave dedications, march in parades and an occasional period reenactment.” Pruiett serves as Chaplain of

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the 19th Virginia Infantry, Camp 1493 and is also Commander of the 2nd Brigade, Virginia Division of Sons of Confederate Veterans. “My parents got me interested in the genealogy of our family,” he said. “As a young boy, we used to make trips to our home in Kentucky. I remember them talking to our relatives about the Civil War and our family’s involvement. “Soldiers back then would leave the farm to go and fight and then return to run the farm for awhile,” Pruiett explained. “During the course of the war, some of my relatives left four, maybe five times to go away and fight, return to farm and then go and fight again.” He proudly displays a picture of his mother’s grandfather, Thomas E. Roberts. “He was a member of a Confederate cavalry unit,” he explained. “He was captured by Union troops and spent 18 months as a prisoner of war. When he died, you could still see the shackle scars on his ankles.” His family settled in Central Virginia in the mid 1600s. Pruiett traces his family roots

to the Maupin family, who were well known in Colonial Williamsburg prior to and during the Revolution. He and his wife Carla have six children. Douglas Jr. is the oldest at 13. The others are: Isabelle (12), Noelle (10), Jefferson (8), Annabelle (3) and Gabriel (1). “My wife and I really enjoy getting dressed up and going to events,” he said. “The boys seem to enjoy events more than the girls, and I believe it’s because they get to carry rifles. Our outfits are as authentic as possible and many are handmade. “ “On Memorial Day weekend, we attended three events,” he said. “On Saturday, we were in Charlottesville. There is a Confederate graveyard on the campus of the University of Virginia. There are about 1,000 graves there with only small markers. A few years ago, a woman’s group decided to get headstones for every grave. It’s a slow process, but so far they have been able to do a few each year and we were there to dedicate some. There is probably about 100 graves now with headstones.” On Monday, the family took

part in memorial services in Richmond and Powhatan. “Most people do not realize that slavery wasn’t an issue when Virginia seceded,” he noted. “Virginia seceded because President Lincoln asked the state for troops to join other Union forces in fighting their brothers to the south. They refused, and with the feeling that an invasion of Virginia soil was imminent, they seceded.” Pruiett said move to forward, we need to know more about

our past. “I believe it was President Woodrow Wilson who said that if we lose track of where we came from, how can we plot a course for where we are going. We are really lost if we don’t remember where we came from.” As an amateur genealogist, Pruiett enjoys helping people trace their family roots. He doesn’t charge a fee for his work and can be e-mailed at: 2ndBrigadeCommander@comcaast. net.

Palen

posted on the school’s web site shortly before scheduled meetings and wondered how board members could vote on material they had only just received. “How can you make an informed decision with the late agenda amendments?”she asked. “If you haven’t had a chance to read it, don’t vote on it,” said Palen of how the board should react to last minute changes. The gap between the Goochland Board of Supervisors and the School Board also troubles Palen. “It’s obvious that the two boards do not communicate,” said Palen. “If they had better communication I feel the schools

could have gotten most of what they asked for this year.” Palen said she favored moving School Board meetings to the Board of Supervisors meeting room in the county administration building where recording and projection equipment is superior to that of the schools. “I absolutely would like to move to the Board of Supervisors facilities,” she said. Palen also lamented the delay in posting of minutes on the schools’ web site, noting that although April minutes are available there, minutes of the March school board meetings are not. But Palen said she is against double bus runs and staggered

starting times for schools, saying she feared they would become a “permanent solution to a temporary problem.” If elected Palen said she would work for greater cooperation with the board of supervisors. “They are the bank and we are making withdrawals,” she said by way of illustration, promising more transparency and prompt action to provide the supervisors with the information they request. Contacted Monday evening, Miller said he will run for another term as District 2 school board member. He has represented District 2 on the School Board since July 1979.

continued from > page 1 Virginia in 2005. “We chose a home in Goochland due to the excellent reputation of the school system at that time,” said Palen. “Putting the public back into public education,” is her platform, said Palen, who said she would like to see “town hall” type meetings at least twice a year, where the public could talk directly to the school board and get “answers in real time, or close to it.” Palen decried the frequent pattern of last minute changes to the School Board’s agenda,

Dr. Douglas Paul Pruiett, Sr. and family took part in a ceremony dedicating headstones at a Confederate cemetery on the University of Virginia campus recently. In the front row are, from left: Noelle, Jefferson and Annabelle. In the second row are: Isabelle, Dr. Pruiett, holding Gabriel, Carla and Douglas Jr.

Thursday

June 9, 2011

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School Board responds to citizen input - adds back some programs and positions By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com

Goochland’s School Board adopted a budget May 31, after reconvening their workshop meeting recessed from May 24. “The board and administration have listened to the concerns of the public,” said School Board Chairman Ivan Mattox and then proceeded to list six changes to the budget. Those included: 1. The .4 art teacher has been restored. 2. Golf, swimming and gymnastics at GHS have been retained. 3. A .5 band position at GHS has been created. 4. A .5 drama position at GHS has been created. 5. Transportation to Maggie Walker Governor’s School will be funded. 6. The school system will pay for background checks for volunteers. Mattox then opened public comment period, limited to 30 minutes. Several speakers commended the board for the changes, but others were still unsatisfied. One student from Randolph Elementary School spoke to the board and asked his classmates to take the stage in the audito-

rium, where they sang a tune in an effort to save music teacher Amy Holzbach’s job. “If you take Ms. Holzbach away she can’t be replaced said the student. Sekou Shebaka urged the board to make it clear the board was taking the citizen input to heart. “It appears as though when you come up here to the mike and pour your heart out you’re in a meat grinder. Too many people feel they are not being heard,” he said. But Goochland Education ParentsAssociation (GEPA) president Penny Palen said Wednesday the board had indeed listened to the citizens, saying there was a great difference in the process this year compared to last. “They have listened to the voices of the parents – it’s a huge step,” said Palen. While she conceded that “Some people are going to be happy and some are not,” she compared this year’s process to last year, when the board closed the gifted center,

ignoring the protests of parents. In addition to the combative crowd, which repeatedly ignored Mattox’s plea to hold applause after speakers and peppered the board with questions after the comment period was over, the meeting saw Michael McDermott announce he had filed suit against Goochland Superintendent Linda Underwood and Mattox over a Freedom of Information request for email addresses McDermott had filed. SchoolBoardattorneyAndrea Erard said the suit hinged on whether a communication from school administration to parents asking whether they wanted their email addresses released, made after McDermott’s request was received, was a violation of FOIA rules. How the restored positions and other changes would be paid for was unclear Tuesday night but Assistant School Superintendent Peter Gretz said Wednesday that reductions in legal fees, a savings in FICA expense and savings

from attrition and other areas would be used. Palen pointed out that although the budget has been passed, “nothing is written in

stone,” noting that the schools could ask for supplemental appropriations from the board of supervisors and that revenues, such as sales taxes might increase.

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Thursday

June 9, 2011

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

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Graduation musings Attending Friday’s Goochland High School graduation ceremony at the Arthur Ashe Center was a welcome respite when it comes to covering Goochland schools. Seeing another senior class saying goodbye to high school and heading off into their future is always exciting and something I’m betting most everyone, no matter what their take on the recent contentiousness surrounding the schools budget, can agree was worthy of celebration. It was nice to see smiles and cheers for a change at a school-related event, rather than frowns, scowls and expressions of puzzlement, those expressions most often seen at most recent school board meetings. And watching the seniors getting their diplomas and celebrating with family and friends surely serves as a reminder of how important it is to use whatever resources are available in the most efficient ways possible. This writer starts with the assumption that all the participants in the recent school budget debates have the same goal in mind: to produce the best school system possible during extremely difficult times. That there is great disagreement as to the best way to go about this is only natural, considering the decline in revenue available to the schools. Unfortunately, that decline could continue, in light of last week’s report that housing prices had reached a low not seen since 2009. Barring an unlikely turnaround in the real estate market, county revenue will be as tight or tighter next budget season and the school system, as well as all other county functions,

will have to go through yet another contraction. Making do with less is something no one enjoys but it appears that it is something we may all have to learn to live with for the immediate future.

Civility at public meetings a necessity Covering the most recent school board meeting was, shall we say, an interesting experience. As it was a continuation of the recessed workshop meeting, it appears the board went the extra mile in adding an abbreviated public comment period, yet despite that plus the announcement that a number of cuts had been restored, the crowd was not placated. Toward the end of the meeting when it was clear that the board was prepared to vote and approve the budget the crowd got downright testy, shouting questions at the board. It’s fine to take issue with the actions of an elected board but out of order shouting and interruption of proceedings serves no useful purpose whatsoever. Channeling that energy in a different direction is what’s called for – that direction being the electoral process. And it looks like Goochlanders will have ample opportunity to do that this fall with the declaration of yet another new school board candidate (see story on page one). Putting that energy to good use by supporting the candidates one thinks best for county schools is the way to go.

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proud of our county. The won- County Chamber of Commerce, derful array of offerings showed who hosted the festival, as well as off Goochland to visitors from the many organizations who conChesterfield, Richmond and sur- tributed, including the Goochland Hat’s off to Joe Liesfeld and rounding counties. Thanks are the Rassawek Spring Festival team see Letters > page 7 also in order for the Goochland for putting together an extremely impressive Goochland County community celebration. The two day festival offered surprise - after surprise - after surprise. The Gazette welcomes your signed letters to the editor on topics of interest to Hayrides, bateau rides, steamGoochland residents. Letters must include your address and a daytime telephone boats, and steam engines transnumber. We reserve the right to edit letters. We do not guarantee that every letter ported festival goers over rolling received will be published. Letters reflect the opinions and positions of the writers and hills and past beautiful lakes to not The Goochland Gazette. venues of music, heritage, and wine. Send letters to: This inaugural event showThe Goochland Gazette, 6400 Mechanicsville Turnpike, cased the best of Goochland, Mechanicsville, VA 23111 making residents even more Fax: 730-0476 E-mail: jodor@goochlandgazette.com

Rassawek - a festival like no other

Letters to the Editor

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Letters to the Editor

Thursday

Letters continued from > page 6 Historical Society, the 35 Mile Drive Association, the 4H Club, Goochland County Parks and Recreation and other county entities, Tucker Park at Maidens Crossing and the Center for Rural Culture. A special thank you to Tracey Leverty, of Echelon Events. Certainly worthy of special mention is the Fife Fire Department and their Ladies Auxiliary, who helped tremendously. Attendance at our inaugural event was more than forecasted – approximately 2,500 people joined the festivities. The economic impact to Goochland is quite promising. Our Rassawek Spring Festival has wonderful potential for the future.

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OPINION: Letters to the Editor

June 9, 2011 Looking ahead to 2012 we know it will be bigger and better. We invite even wider community support. We need more volunteers and more sponsorships. Our Chamber Office will delightfully accept your inquiries. Please contact Bonnie Creasy at 556-3811, or e-mail her at director@ goochlandchamber.org Wayne Dementi Discover Goochland Committee Chairman

Infamous? Saturday morning, June 4 was a great day at Goochland Courthouse with yard sales, a flea market and a charity car wash at Taylor’s Exxon. After driving 7,000 miles and spending time in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Wyoming for two weeks I decided to get

some of the bugs and dust washed off my SUV for the third time. One hundred miles of Idaho dirt roads put dust in every crack inside my vehicle. So I took advantage of the charity car wash at Taylor’s where Goochland Deputy Sheriff May was having his Goochland cruiser washed. After introducing myself to a few other folks standing around the car wash, Deputy May said to me “So you are the infamous Art Bachman?” Webster’s unabridged dictionary defines “infamous” as 1. Having a very bad reputation; notorious; in disgrace or dishonor. 2. Causing or deserving a bad reputation; scandalous; outrageous. 3. In law, (a) punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary: said of certain crimes;

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Thursday

June 9, 2011

Letters continued from > page 7 (b) guilty of such a crime. Synonym: wicked, heinous, disgraceful, shameful, execrable, ignominious. Now I realize that more than 150 of my letters to editors have been published all over the U.S. including Goochland newspapers, none ever suggested any scandalous or criminal behavior. To the contrary, my letters through many years have most frequently criticized government spending which now

seems to be in vogue. I only hope that Deputy Sheriff May’s comment was a “slip of the tongue” rather than a prevailing belief by the Goochland Sheriff ’s department. Goochland newspaper records will show I have always been commendatory about the performance of the Goochland Sheriff ’s Department and only critical of its excessive spending. My college courses in political science taught me that a County Sheriff is the virtual political leader of any

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OPINION: Letters to the Editor County because he has all the inside information about his County residents. Let’s hope Sheriff Agnew uses his knowledge well, or that we elect another Sheriff. Art Bachman Gum Springs

School board budget musings As a come-lately to school board meetings, (I have been to the last two) I reflected how the few often end up representing the many. But it takes the many to represent themselves. While those who attended the meetings seemed of similar mind about not cutting teachers and instructional programs, their reasons were many and their particular passions diverse. One thing I heard frequently last week was the idea that there is a silent majority out there that agrees with the School Board, or as was also

mentioned, with the Board of Supervisors. We will see about that at the next elections for each board, but it is easy to believe that people agree with you when they remain silent. I fervently believe that because so many people showed up to plead for maintaining programs and teachers, the School Board had to acknowledge that a large cross section of the community was extremely upset by their proposed budget cuts, instead of being able to reassure themselves that the silent majority is in their corner. As Mr. Maddox stated, the community should be as involved from the beginning of the process, and I agree. It also was apparent that the community needs clarification of proposals rather than presentations that only the board fully understands. While the meeting itself may not have been the proper forum, is there an easier way to educate ourselves

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than unsuccessfully digging through websites and trying to decipher pages of numbers? Some people know where to look but many more do not. I was very moved by the number of students, from elementary through posthigh school levels, who spoke eloquently and respectfully at the last two meetings about the programs and teachers that they love and know are changing their lives for the better. We need to listen to what they are saying. They are the ones who are living with our choices, and if they are to continue in public school in Goochland, they only have one choice once they finish elementary school. We must make that choice a viable one. Finally, I am thankful that SOME of the community’s and students’ pleas were heard, though some of the solutions floor me. What is the point of firing a cherished full time elementary music teacher who students, school

staff, and parents enthusiastically support, only to replace her with two half-time positions, one of which guts the upper level music program? So now the high school band teacher, who teaches all the upper level students at advanced levels, and who is swamped as it is, becomes a half-time teacher at each of two schools, thus ensuring his talents are spread too thin and all his students suffer? Brilliant. Is this how we reward our dedicated and gifted teachers and students? I only hope that in future our school board and superintendant will be more in tune with the community and students and that despite cuts in our educational programs that turn off prospective students to our school system, we will be able to restore some credibility to our claim that we educate the total child and prepare him/her for the future. Eve Barenholtz Sandy Hook

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Alice Parrish Grandstaff, 83, of Gum Spring, passed June 1, 2011, in a local hospital. She was born to Beauy Leake and Elizabeth Hughes Parrish in Hadensville, Va. She was preceded in death

two sisters, Catherine and Audrey; one brother, James. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Lee Roy Grandstaff; three children, Barbara Gail Quinn (Henry), Boyd Leake Grandstaff, Sandra Leigh Able; grandson, Benjamin Able; her brother,

Correction: In the May 25 edition of The Goochland Gazette, Planning commissioner Lowe Lunsford was incorrectly quoted on his reference to a pile of asphalt tailings at a location in Goochland. The story quoted Lunsford as saying it looked like a “West Virginia dog pile.” In fact, Lunsford referred to it as a “West Virginia GOB pile,” an old coal mining term that described waste material stored outside of mines. The Gazette regrets the error, and we apologize for any inconvenience it may have caused.

Bryan; sisters, Bernice, Doris, Edith, Betty, Joyce, June and Susie. Also she is remembered by her special caregiver, Mary Richardson. She has been an active member of Perkins Baptist Church for 61 years, in the choir, teaching, serving on committees, wherever the Lord called. She was the owner of East Leake Express for almost 20 years. The family received friends Friday, June 3, 2011, at the Norman Funeral Home, Goochland, Va. The funeral services were held on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at Perkins Baptist Church. Graveside services were held in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made

to Perkins Cemetery Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association. Hagen Ollie May Hagen, 86, of Goochland, passed away June 2, 2011. She was preceded in death by her husband, William V. Hagen; and son, William V. Hagen Jr. She is survived by her children, Carolyn (Ed) Purvis, Bobby (Debbie) Hagen; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Family received friends at the Norman Funeral Home, Goochland, Va., on Saturday, June 4, 2011. Funeral services were held on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at Smyrna Baptist Church. Graveside services were held in the church cemetery.

Thursday

June 9, 2011

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Bulldog season ends against regional champs Woodgrove captures 4-1 victory to end Goochland’s run BY JIM RIDOLPHI Special Correspondent

All good things must come to an end. The Goochland girls’ softball team’s season ended abruptly last week after they dropped a regional semifinal to Woodgrove, 4-1, one victory shy of reaching the state tournament. The loss eliminated the team from further post season play, but not before the team accomplished more than most predicted or expected. The team finished with an impressive 15-7 record and posted wins over quality opponents. In the Region II quarterfinals against Brentsville,

the Bulldogs wasted no time as Erika Spencer smashed a three run homer in the top of the first inning. Brentsvilles’ Abby Carpenter, regional player of the year, answered with a two run shot in the home half of the inning. In the third inning, Goochland bats came alive again and hits by Jordan Fleming, Chakiryn Jackson and Ericka Spencer produced two more runs, giving Goochland a 5-2 lead. The Bulldogs got two more runs in the sixth when Jesse Leroy singled and Brandi Tester doubled. Jackson followed with an RBI single, and the Bulldogs put another two urns on the board. Brentsville pecked away at the Bulldog lead, adding two runs in the sixth inning, and Bulldog pitcher Kaytlyn Jones had to escape a seventh inning jam to secure the win.

Local athletes honored as All-District selections JEFFERSON DISTRICT Baseball First Team Pitcher: Wes McGuire, Sr. Goochland 3rd base: Scott Ragland, Sr. Goochland Second Team Outfield: Ben Swecker, Sr. Goochland Third Team 1st base: Alex McDowell, Jr. Goochland; Cody Johnson , Jr. Goochland PREP LEAGUE Jack Sutton, Collegiate

Infielders: Jordan Fleming, Goochland; Third Team Pitcher: Katlyn Jones, Goochland. LIS Raven Baytops, St. Catherine’s; CarolineCheatham,Collegiate; Audrey Fain, St. Catherine’s; Emily Flippo, Collegiate; Mallory Knighton, Collegiate; Molly Phillips, St. Catherine’s;

VIS, DIVISION I First Team Raven Baytops, St. JEFFERSON DISTRICT Catherine’s; Softball First Team Second Team Pitchers: Jesse Leroy, Mallory Knighton, Goochland Collegiate. Outfielders:; Brandi Tester, Goochland. JEFFERSON DISTRICT Coach of the year: Amy Boys Soccer Third Team Henneberger, Goochland. Lee McLaughlin Sr. Second Team Goochland

With two outs, Carpenter came to the plate with the base loaded in the seventh. “She popped up in the infield,” said GHS coach Amy Henneberger. “Kaytlyn Jones pitched seven strong innings.” The pressure was on in the semifinal contest against Woodgrove. Both teams knew one squad would advance to state competition while the loser would be sent packing with a season ending loss. The Bulldogs scored first when Wolverine pitcher Allie Reid was called for two illegal pitches and walked two Bulldogs in the second inning, producing a run. The shaky inning only reinforced Reid’s determination, and she escaped a Bulldog rally in the sixth to secure the win. “Each team had four hits, but we committed some costly errors and Woodgrove

Hicks heads to Super Regionals

capitalized on our mistakes,” Henneberger said. Rachel Jones went 2-3 in the loss with a pair of singles. Henneberger said this season’s results and the youth of her team bode well for the future. “We are proud of the girls for their accomplishments this season. We are looking to take it to the next level next season.” Goochland............. 302 0020—7141 Brentsville............. 200 0020—4 70 K. Jones and Tester; Wark and Azakan. W — Jones. L — Wark. Records: Goochland 15-6; Brentsville 17-5 Goochland........... 010 000 0 — 1 4 4 Woodgrove.......... 001 111 x — 4 4 3 K. Jones and Tester; Reid and Haney. Records: Goochland 15-7; Woodgrove 22-4 File photo by Jim Ridolphi

The Goochland softball team exceeded expectations, making a run to the region semis and falling one win short of a trip to the state tournament.

Bulldog basketball camp for boys

Former Goochland standout John Hicks and his Virginia Caveliers will play host to UC Irvine in a best-of-three series, June 11-13 at UVa’s Davenport Field. The NCAA Super Regional will be played at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 1, 4 or 7 p.m. Monday (if necessary). For information on tickets, please call the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 542-8821 or log on to VirginiaSports. com.

New Goochland High players School varsity basketball coach Preston Gordon will direct a Camp Features basketball campe for boys. * Fundamental Techniques Gordon has worked basket- * One-on-One Instruction ball camps at Emory & Henry * Ball Handling Drills College, Stetson University, * Shooting Drills Pulaski County High School, * Camp T-shirt Goochland Parks & Rec., * Defensive Station Work Southwest Virginia Coaches * Three-on-Three Contests Clinic, and Louisa County * Skills Contests High School. Coach Gordon * Guest Speakers heads a stand-up staff that includes: Our staff offers a great challenge to any boy who wants to *Goochland High School Boys become a better player. This Staff camp will improve his funda*Former Goochland standout mental skills; teach him more players and coaches about the game, and what it *Former/Current college takes to become a better player. players We have a staff that is com*Current Bulldog Basketball mitted to helping young men

take their game one step closer to being more fundamentally complete, while having fun at the same time. Ages: 8 - 15 Dates: June 20– 22, 2011 Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Place: GHS Gym The fee for a camper is $40. Every camper will receive a Tshirt. Make checks payable to Goochland High School. Please send your application to: Goochland High School c/o Preston Gordon 3250-A River Road West Goochland, VA 23063 (540) 894-6976 prgordon@glnd.k12.va.us

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