The Goochland Gazette – 02/10/2022 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Goochland history: After witnessing end of slavery, she made a new life here> page 2 Volume 66 Number 6 • February 10, 2022

Goochland County issues $50 million in bonds Feb. 1 bond auction was historic event for the county, says District 5 supervisor By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Admittedly, some historic firsts happen more quietly than others. During the Feb. 1 board of supervisors meeting, District 5 supervisor Ken Peterson announced that Goochland County now has, for the first time in the county’s history, the ability to access the capital markets on a direct basis. As Peterson explained, this

means that Goochland is now able to issue bonds without going through another entity, such as the state, or posting any cash collateral. As of that day, “the county is able to stand on its own two feet for the first time,” said Peterson, a feat he linked directly to the fact that Goochland in recent years has achieved a triple

A credit rating from all three major credit rating agencies. Referred to as the “triple triple,” the distinction is held by only around 1% of localities in the nation. Goochland is currently the smallest county to have it. Peterson revealed that on the morning of Feb. 1, the county had

taken part in “a very successful auction,” during which 11 firms had submitted 31 different bids. The winning bid came in just over 2.5%, Peterson said, and the county issued $50 million in bonds. On Oct. 13, 2021, Fitch Ratings,

see Bonds > page 2

Fire chief: Iced-over ponds often dangerous By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Photo courtesy of Lynn Bayliss

What bad weather? Goochland’s first responders forge ahead The recent inclement weather could not prevent local first responders from their work, as shown by this picture sent to the Gazette by Goochland resident Lynn Bayliss. Bayliss took the photo as crews were attending to her husband Temple, who had been injured after slipping on the ice. Lynn Bayliss said her hope in sharing the photo was to highlight the incredible work of the county’s rescue workers and to warn others to use extreme caution in icy conditions. After surgery, Temple Bayliss is now recovering at home.

With the end of winter still over a month away, Goochland County Fire-Rescue officials continue to warn residents about the potential dangers that go hand-in-hand with winter weather. And while some may not think of it at first, this includes ice. Goochland County Fire-Rescue chief Eddie Ferguson told county supervisors last week about the recent successful rescue of a dog that had fallen through the ice near Hermitage Country Club. Ferguson said the rescue was made by citizens who had mobilized and responded after seeing the animal in distress, but cautioned that not all stories see Winter > page 3

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February 10, 2022

Bonds continued from >1

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

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SPORTS

Inc. (Fitch) assigned its highest credit rating to Goochland County. The county had already received a credit rating of AAA from S&P in 2015, becoming the smallest county in Virginia to receive that rating. In 2018, Goochland County received a Aaa rating from Moody’s and became the smallest county in the United States to hold both a Aaa credit rating from Moody’s and a AAA credit rating from S&P. With the receipt of Fitch’s AAA rating, Goochland County joined approximately 50 other municipal governments in the United States which have earned the highest rating from all three credit rating agencies. Locally, Goochland was the fourth locality in the Richmond Region to earn such a distinction, joining Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties.

A witness to history “Dying Embers” is one of W. Edwin Booth’s photographs from his award-winning collection. This fascinating photo features Sarah Ann Carroll of Crozier, who was born about 1849. After being freed following the Civil War, she made this cabin her home. She spent the latter part of her life as a midwife and nurse and worked for the family of Dr. William Holman. She married twice, first to John Robert Allen in 1874, and then again in 1894 to Andrew Carroll. She died in 1945 in Goochland and is buried in the First Union Baptist Church Cemetery.

Rosenbaum stays perfect on senior night PAGE 9 Classifieds ......................14-16 Letters .................................... 6 Library Calendar.................. 16 Obituaries .............................. 2 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports ...............................9-10 TV Listings ......................11-13

Photo courtesy of Goochland County Historical Society

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CONTACT US Toll Free - (877) 888-0449 Office - (804) 746-1235 Joy Monopoli Publisher (804) 775-4614 Fax: (804) 819-5529 Laura McFarland Managing Editor (804) 363-1577 Roslyn Ryan Editor (804) 339-7956 Robby Fletcher Sports Editor (804) 380-0497 Cindy Adams Classifieds (804) 775-4616 Fax: (804) 344-8746 Denine D’Angelo Production Manager (804) 775-4624

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February 10, 2022

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Local schools’ ACA program continues to offer significant benefit to families Contributed report

With annual tuition ranging between just under $9,000 to over $23,000, attending a public, four-year college or university in Virginia can add up quickly for students and their families. In Goochland County Public Schools, students can earn up to 60 credit hours before graduation in the division’s Advance College Academy (ACA) – greatly reducing the steep cost of a college degree. Wendi McDonnell, parent of Ryan, a 2021 Goochland High School graduate, ACA participant, and now Virginia Tech student, did the math. “I totaled up all the money we spent for ACA, starting with the summer courses before junior year, and all told, we spent a mere $2,630 out of our own pocket for a $22,038.75 value, which saves the family $19,408.75 in tuition,” McDonnell said. “That’s 1.45 years/three semesters worth of tuition! That is a lot of money!” McDonnell’s son used his ACA credits to satisfy all 45 Pathways courses, Tech’s required prerequisites to graduate, and arrived at her total savings by using Tech’s $489.75 per credit cost. McDonnell says her son’s benefits extend far beyond tuition savings. Ryan attends Tech’s College of Engineering and is majoring in Computer Science. Because of his major, some of the credits he earned at ACA are not transferrable for his major requirements. But, she says, “from a growth and well-rounded student standpoint, those ‘unusable-tohim’ credits exposed him to classes that he probably would never have chosen for himself, including psychology and advanced English courses. The experience of this was so good for him. He loved all the psychology courses and would share his research with the whole family at the dinner table every night, and, while he didn’t necessarily love literature in and of itself, he enjoyed Ms. Holloway-Costa’s class immensely and admitted that he read books that he would never have picked up, ever.” Students apply to ACA in the eighth grade. If accepted, students enroll in advanced high school courses in the ninth and 10th grades and take required college coursework for the associate degree during the 11th and 12th grades. Students in the ACA program must also attend a three-week session of college courses during the summer between their sophomore and junior year. ACA is a partnership between GCPS and Reynolds Community College and is open to students with a 3.0-gradepoint average or higher who have taken Algebra I by the ninth grade. Courses are taught by certified Goochland High School teachers and include the same content as see ACA > 4

File photo

Goochland’s Fire-Rescue department, seen here responding to a recent houe fire, urges residents to ensure that they have smoke detectors in their homes and that they are in working order. Residents who need smoke detectors can obtain them at no cost by calling the county’s Fire Rescue Administration at (804) 556-5304.

Winter continued from >1 may have such a happy ending. Ferguson pointed out that temperatures in Virginia rarely stay cold enough to create ice on ponds and lakes that are strong enough to walk on, and residents should use extreme caution when spending time near any body of water that appears frozen. In addition to dangers of ice, Ferguson also once again pointed out how critical it is for residents to have working smoke detectors in their homes and to dispose of fireplace and woodstove ashes properly. He encouraged anyone in need of a smoke alarm to contact the county’s Fire Rescue Administration at (804) 5565304 to request one, point-

ing out that the department is always happy to provide and install the devices. When disposing of ashes, the following steps should be followed: Each year, Fire-Rescue responds to fires that are caused by improper disposal of hot coals or ashes from fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, grills or mobile fireplaces designed for use on decks or patios. The fact is, coals and ashes from fires can remain hot enough to start a fire for many days after you think the fire is out. The exact amount of time for complete extinguishment and cooling depends on many factors, such as how hot the fire was, what was burning, how much unburned fuel remains, etc. To be safe, simply treat all ashes and coals as hot, even when you think they

have had time enough to cool. To properly dispose of ashes or coals, the department recommend the following: DO: If possible, allow ashes and coals to cool in the area where you had the fire

for several days. These devices are designed to contain their heat safely. DO: When it is time to dispose of the ashes, transfer them to a metal container see Fire > 13

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NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

February 10, 2022

Goochland launches two small area plans for Courthouse Village, Centerville Village Contributed report Goochland County is initiating two small area plans, one for the Courthouse Village and one for the Centerville Village. The county is experiencing significant growth pressures, especially in the Courthouse and Centerville villages. The Goochland County Comprehensive Plan addresses these areas at a high level, but small area plans will provide more specific guidance including land uses, residential densities and design attributes for these corridors. Residents are invited to join the county for the first in a series of community meetings on Feb. 16 (Courthouse Village) and Feb. 17 (Centerville Village) to help plan for the future of these villages. These introductory community meetings will allow citizens and property owners to share their views for how you envision the

future of the Courthouse and Centerville Villages. The Courthouse Village community meeting will occur on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Goochland County Administration Building located at 1800 Sandy Hook Road, Goochland, VA 23063. The Centerville Village community meeting will occur on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Church located at 1706 St. Matthew’s Lane, Richmond, VA 23233. For additional information on these small area plan efforts visit the Goochland Village Plans 2022 website at https://www.goochlandva. us/1201/Goochland-CountyVillage-Plans-2022. For questions or comments about the Courthouse Village Plan email courthouseplan22@ goochlandva.us and for the Centerville Village Plan email centervilleplan22@goochlandva.us.

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MARGARET AYRES KISOR KISOR, Margaret "Marni" Ayres, peacefully passed away January 28, 2022, at home with family after an extended illness. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years Manown "Buck" Kisor Jr.; and her parents, Raymond and Anne Leonard. Marni was born in Binghamton, N.Y., her mother's hometown, on November 28, KISOR 1937. The family lived briefly in Brooklyn, N.Y., where Ray was a banker and Anne the assistant librarian for the Brooklyn Library. They settled in the suburbs of New Jersey, first in Maplewood, then Short Hills. Marni graduated from Millburn High School in 1955 and Mount Holyoke College in 1959. She married Buck shortly thereafter on September 5, 1959. By age 27, Marni had her hands full with three young children, but still found time for bridge club, hosting cocktail parties and traveling to the Caribbean with Buck and friends. As her children grew older, Marni was kept busy chauffeuring to hockey, horse shows and softball games. Marni was the mom who drove all the kids and always showed up. She somehow found time to get a master's degree in a teaching specialty, studying to all hours of the night at the dining room table. Marni dedicated 30 years to teaching elementary and middle school students and touched the lives of hundreds of children in New Jersey, Michigan and Virginia. When she finally retired from teaching, her family was worried about how she would occupy her time. Marni then dove into dog obedience training and won countless titles and awards with her Belgian Shepherd,

continued from >3

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Obituaries

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courses taught on the community college campus. “In ACA, students are able to take rigorous college courses in a supportive environment,” said Beth Fowler, Ed.D., coordi-

OBITUARY SUBMISSIONS

Katie. Eventually, she tired of running the agility courses with Katie and took up painting, mainly watercolors. Family and friends are proud to have a Marni Kisor original adorning their walls. In 2010, Buck and Marni moved to Goochland County and became members of Byrd Presbyterian Church. Marni was absolutely devoted to the church, serving formally as Clerk of the Session for many years, and informally by organizing church community projects, countless fellowship events and initiating the church prayer list. Byrd Church is where Marni found her calling and she cherished her relationships with a devoted group of friends. Marni is survived by her children, Anne "Beth," Judy "Meg" and Bill; and her beloved dog, Nellie; as well as furry grandchildren, Lucy, Sunny, Sylvester, Red and Chub. She is also survived by her brother, John (Ann); sister-in-law, Debbie (Bob); and brother-in-law, Henry (Debby). Marni was aunt to Colin, Conan, Joshua, Zachary, Samantha, Kathleen, John and Marni. Marni was a special person, one who touched everyone she met with her cheerful kindness, generosity and humility. She was the "best mom ever," one who readily forgave transgressions, mistakes small and catastrophic and loved her children unconditionally. Marni also had an extremely dry sense of humor, strong sense of self and determination to handle life her way. Although Marni will be sorely missed by all, she left a treasure trove of memories and anecdotes that her loved ones will cherish forever. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for February 12, 2022, at 1 p.m. at Byrd Presbyterian Church, 2229 Dogtown Road, Goochland, Va. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart Association, Goochland Pet Lovers or GoochlandCares.

nator of advanced programs and equity. “They can earn a 60-credit associate degree prior to high school graduation, and then they have more options when they attend a four-year college.” Options include graduating early, double majoring, taking

SOPHIA HOLLAND PRYOR PRYOR, Sophia "Sophie" Holland, 98, of Goochland, Va., went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday morning, January 30, 2022. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 49 years, Russell W. Pryor Sr.; her parents, Hughes and Annie Holland; three brothers, George, Jimmy and Phil Holland; and one sister, Mary Jane PRYOR Holland Sheridan. She is survived by her son, Russell Jr. "R.W." (Nita); "The Apple of her Eye," granddaughter, Lindsey Hurlburt (Henry); special great-grandson, Isaac; her sister, Julia Davidson; and numerous nieces and nephews. For more than 70 years, Sophie was an active and faithful member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. She was also active in the Goochland Historical Society, Goochland Relay for Life (American Cancer Society), Goochland Chamber of Commerce, life member of Hadensville Fire-Rescue and in 1998, served as Goochland's Christmas Mother. Her interests and talents were many and always shared. She was a friend to all and will truly be missed. Visitation was held Friday, February 4, 2022, from 4 to 8 p.m. and a graveside service was held Saturday, February 5, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, 4768 Shannon Hill Road, Columbia, Va. 23038. Because of virus concerns, the family respectfully asked attendees to wear masks. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mt. Gilead Baptist Church or Hadensville FireRescue, Company 6, 4810 Three Chopt Road, Louisa, Va. 23093. Arrangements are being handled by Sheridan Funeral Home, Kents Store, Va.

a lighter load each semester or studying abroad. “We cannot express our appreciation and gratitude to the school board for making programs like this possible, for the leadership in implementing it and making it happen, and for all the teachers at GHS

that are now college instructors teaching these classes,” McDonnell said. For more information about ACA or the other programs GCPS offers to students to maximize their potential, visit https://goochlandschools. org.

Call 804-643-4414, ext. 3 Email: paidnotices @timesdispatch.com Deadline is noon Friday for the following week’s issue.

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February 10, 2022

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Tell Me A Story

Lost in love: Honeymooning couple wind up taking unexpected detour Melanie Ellyson Contributing Writer

(Editor’s note: The following contribution is part of the Gazette’s continuing series “Tell Me a Story,” in which we ask our readers to share tales from their own lives or the lives of family members.) It was December 2006 and my husband and I were in the middle of our honeymoon. Many couples choose exotic getaways, such as island cruises, but, because both of us are musicians, it made perfect sense for us to spend our hononeymoon in Memphis, TN, the home of Elvis Presley. We had visited Graceland and nd all of the tours associated ted with him and we were even en staying at The Heartbreak ak Hotel, which was at the end nd of Lonely Street. It was perrfect for two musicians. On this particular day ay of the trip, we headed d downtown to the famous us Beale Street. Our itiner-ary included a tour of thee Gibson Guitar Factoryy and lunch. This was dur-ing the time before GPSS and cell phone apps weree commonplace. We had a travel map provided by a travel agency with detailed directions on how to get from Virginia to Tennessee. We did not realize the Gibson Guitar factory had tours until we were already in Memphis. We decided on the spur of the moment to add this stop onto our itinerary. This would result in a major error. The factory tour was

incredible. We were able to see luthiers handmaking Gibson guitars. My husband, a guitar player, was in seventh heaven. Sadly, the factory is no longer open for tours, but it was one of the highlights of our trip. Then we headed to lunch on Beale Street, home of the Blues and arguably the birthplace of Rock and Roll. I was awestruck thinking that I was walking among the shadows of the great jazz and blues legends. It was very surreal. After lunch, we decided

to head back to the hotel. Remember, GPS was not widely available at the time. We didn’t have maps to direct us back from our unplanned stop. However, we weren’t that far away from the hotel. Getting back should not be very difficult. We were wrong. For those of you who are as unfamiliar with the geography of Memphis and the surrounding area, as we were, Memphis is actually located in the far bottom corner of the state. We had discovered that the closest restau-

rant we had decided to visit one night was actually located in Mississippi. However, it was located less than a half an hour drive from our hotel. In the other direction, probably less than ten miles away, is the state of Arkansas. We headed back to the hotel, unaware of what was to come. We merged onto I-40 and started the drive. Then we came upon a rather large bridge. I looked at my husband and said “I don’t remember

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County convenience centers extend waiver on brush fees Contributed report Goochland County is extending the waiving of residents’ fees for brush disposal at the Central and Western Convenience Centers through Tuesday, Feb. 15, to give residents additional time to clean up from the winter storm that occurred on and

since Jan. 3. The fee waiver for brush disposal applies to both the Central Convenience Center at 1908 Hidden Rock Lane and the Western Convenience Center at 3455 Hadensville-Fife Road. The Convenience Centers are open Monday – Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

see Story > 13

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February 10, 2022

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

‘Great Return’ likely to bring change for companies By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Now that the pandemic has been with us for the better part of two years, those who have spent the time working from home may have trouble even remembering what it was like to head into the office every day. According to recent reports, several local companies are readying their properties for the eventual return of staff, reconfiguring spaces and making other adjustments. Some of us in the newspaper world had already dipped a toe—or in some cases an entire foot—into the work-from-home world, so the transition for us was

not particularly difficult. Nor did it come with the looming question of just when things would return to “normal,” a question many have been forced to reckon with again and again. Readjusting to life back at the office may be a challenge for some, and I’m not just talking about the return to wearing normal clothes instead of PJs. Having grown accustomed to meeting over Zoom and checking in via e-mail, some may find themselves struggling at first to readjust to office life. For at least a little while, those fluorescent lights might seem a bit too bright, those cubicles just a bit too small. Make no mistake about it, there is plenty of upside to a return to

the office. Working around other people—i.e. in the same physical space—may bring certain challenges, but it also keeps social skills sharp and promotes the kind of collaborative work that helps companies thrive. To be honest, while I will admit to being a big fan of working remotely, face-to-face brainstorming with colleagues was tough to let go of. Zoom is nice, of course, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think something is lost when all meetings go virtual. Some companies may be cognizant of the fact that employees, at least in some cases, will find the work-from-home life hard to give up. And as several recent studies have shown, workers may have

their own opinions on how the office environment can function more effectively than it did in the days before the pandemic. From equity to growth to employee retention, there are a host of things companies will need to consider as they move forward into the future, and some may require a shift in thinking on the part of both the employer and the employee. If all goes well, the truly great companies will be able to use the lessons learned from the pandemic to create the kind of working environments that benefit everyone. Growing pains are sure to come, but a less remote future may just be brighter than we realize.

Why ‘paying it forward’ just might make your day By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

It was one of the days best forgotten. After numerous appointments, trips to high school for student pickup and a laborious meeting, I was finally on my path home. After quickly realizing I had omitted lunch from the hectic timetable, I began to search for relief in the form of a quick and easy drivethru meal from a fast food establishment.

A line of cars waited as customers placed orders and moved slowly toward the pick-up window. It was par for the course in a day where nothing had gone as planned, so I waited patiently for my order as the line moved painfully slow. I held my debit card out of the window as I approached the window. “The lady in front of you paid for your order,” the young attendant manning the cash register said. “What?” I surprisingly responded.

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He explained that everyone for the past few cars had chosen to pay for the car behind. “She had a $20 order and the person in front of her paid for that, so she paid for yours,” he further explained. I admit it didn’t register with me at first, and it took a few seconds to realize that a chain of kindness was forming in the most unlikely of places. “Well, I guess I’ll pay for the car behind me,” I finally replied.

He swiped my card and I moved forward, still not realizing the importance of what has just happened. It was a small act of kindness that made the rest of my day seem insignificant and forced me to stop and see that paying it forward comes in a variety of forms. This wonderful experience occurred amidst an atmosphere in our country that some have described as dark and intense—a

see Pay it forward > 7

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Send letters to: The Goochland Gazette 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, Va. 23116 Fax: 344-8746 E-mail: editor@goochlandgazette.com © 2022 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. CAC Audited Circulation: 8,014.

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Show offered stories of hope despite tragic event behind it By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

The transition from laughter to tears and back again never felt forced. When I was driving to downtown Richmond last Wednesday on my way to see a musical called “Come From Away,” I was talking to my mom on the phone. I told her that I was carrying a pack of tissues in my purse because I knew that at some point I would be crying. To be fair, going to see a musical revolving around what happened to some of the flights in the air at the same time as the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, was bound to have some emotional moments. I debated writing this week’s column about the experience of seeing this musical because it has never been my intention to make this space a place for theater reviews. (Although I love the idea of going to the theater enough that writing a regular review might even be possible.) But as I was walking out of the theater and hurrying to the parking garage to begin the hour-long drive back home, what struck me most about this fantastic production was the way it so captured the complexity of humanity. If you’ve never heard of the production “Come From Away,” it is a musical based on the true life experience of 38 commercial planes that were grounded in Newfoundland on Sept. 11, 2001, and for several days afterward and the communities there that opened their arms to nearly 7,000 strangers from around the world. With that kind of story to tell I had no idea how they were going to condense so many possible experiences into see Show > page 7

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February 10, 2022

Show continued from >6 such a short amount of time in any kind of meaningful way. While I know I said this wasn’t going to be a theater review, I do have to give kudos to an amazing cast that transitioned—sometimes in a matter of seconds—from one character to the next to accomplish that amazing feat. One second an actor was housewife collecting supplies to give to people stranded on the tarmac and the next she was a terrified passenger completely in the dark about the monumental tragedy that had occurred roughly 1,100 miles away, only knowing she was stuck in a giant metal tube with hundreds of others. It was strange to think that while I was in college in Texas watching nonstop news footage of the wreckage and rescue efforts, they were being held on those planes on a runway in Gander, many completely unknowing of how our world had just changed forever. We got glimpses of people for a few seconds —a few minutes at most—but those abbreviated moments were enough to give us a taste of the myriad of experiences that could come out of the same event. We saw a worried mother from New York not knowing what happened to her first responder son. We saw terrified people who didn’t speak English and couldn’t understand why they were in what

Pay it forward continued from >6 nation exhausted and dismayed by months of pandemic threats and overtones and endless and ever-widening political differences. And I can’t argue that the general mood of the nation seems gloomy and a long list of challenges seem overwhelming and unsolvable. But, those who

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

must have looked like a military operation calmed when someone could cross the language barrier by finding a scripture in the Bible telling them not to be afraid. We saw the very real moment of stranded passengers being grateful to be put up in an emergency shelter but looking anywhere but at the volunteer asking them to take turns cleaning the toilets. We saw the dedicated manager of the Gander and Area SPCA, who saw the passengers were being taken care of but asked the question, what about the animals in the airplane holds? We saw a pilot sharing her love for flying and then her feelings of betrayal at the knowledge that terrorists used what she loves the most as a weapon to hurt others. We saw a Middle Eastern man looked at and treated with mistrust and fear because of the way he looked, spoke and prayed. We saw people having fun with the locals in a pub and others not understanding how they could possibly be having fun a time when the world seemed to be falling apart. We saw the beginnings of love and the ends of love. We saw a community coming together to help thousands of total strangers, going out of their way to offer assistance in so many different ways, and content to receive nothing in response except a thank you. We saw people working so hard they didn’t have time to consider the reality of what was going

on with the attacks. We saw fear, uncertainty, hope, camaraderie, angst, kindness, attempted distraction, resistance to distraction, and so much more. In short, we saw the human condition and the countless ways people respond to a tragedy. I had a brief thought of my community during the show— and it was truly brief because it really was an enthralling story —and the way the community our local communities pride themsevles on being there for each other. I mulled on it more during my drive home, thinking about the recent snow storm where people helped first responders cut down trees to clear roads or opened their homes to neighbors without power. I thought of the way people respond to news of someone dying or becoming sick by surrounding them with love and way too much food. I thought of people having knockdown drag-out disagreements about things but being willing to work together for a greater good. So while, yes, I thoroughly enjoyed the singing, dancing and acting, what I walked away with in a more lasting way, I hope, was a deeper appreciation for how humans respond in a crisis and how, when a community comes together, the impossible can sometimes become possible. Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com.

navigate those stormy waters daily will also tell you that human nature remains resilient, hopeful and forever looking forward. I couldn’t help but think that more small acts of kindness like the one I experienced would benefit those feeling the pressure of the times, and remind all of us that human interaction and kindness remain in spite of political or social differences.

Now, I’m not sure how long the pay-it-forward procession lasted, but I pulled away with a smile. Truth be known, that small act of kindness and its ability to somehow unite strangers in a compassionate effort was what I would remember about a day filled with challenges and disappointments, which validates the theory that small things often made the biggest difference.

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Goochland County is initiating two small area plans, one for the Centerville Village and one for the Courthouse Village. Please join us for the first in a series of community meetings to help plan for the future of our villages.

Plan Courthouse Village

Plan Centerville Village

Feb 16 - 7:00 PM

Feb 17 - 7:00 PM

Goochland Admin Building 1800 Sandy Hook Rd. Goochland, VA 23063

St. Matthew’s Church 1706 St. Matthews Ln. Richmond, VA 23233

WHY SHOULD YOU PARTICIPATE? These are community-based plans. We want guidance from our citizens and property owners on what they envision for these Villages and what they should look like over the next 20 years. Before any planning can be done, we want YOUR input. These introductory meetings will allow you to share your views for how you envision the future of the Centerville and Courthouse Villages.

WHAT SHOULD YOUR VILLAGE BE? We need your thoughts on: Land use and Housing, Density, Economics, Community and Historic Character, Placemaking, Branding, and Connectivity. The presentations will be posted on the County Website and saved for future viewing. Additional information on the project can be found on the Goochland Village Plans 2022 webpage: www.goochlandva.us/1201/Goochland-County-Village-Plans-2022 Questions or comments: centervilleplan22@goochlandva.us or courthouseplan22@goochlandva.us

Thursday

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

February 10, 2022

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Fight against All invited to help ‘Pack the Cruiser’ during food drive identity theft often involves taking simple precautions Contributed Report

The first week of February is Identity Theft Awareness Week. It’s a good time to think about a sobering reality: your personal information has most likely already been stolen. Many entities have our personal information—credit card and bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, and health-related information—and data breaches have exposed it. So, what can we do to protect ourselves after the fact? Here are three steps to protecting yourself against identity fraud. Place a security freeze on your credit accounts with the three big agencies so no one can open a new credit line in your name; Establish online access to your financial accounts and monitor regularly (you can typically set up text alerts for activity on these accounts); Use unique passwords for every online account; consider purchasing a password manager that creates complex passwords and stores them securely. Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. Visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at https://www.aarp. org/fraudwatchnetwork or call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360 to report a scam or get help if you’ve fallen victim. With nearly 1 million members in Virginia, AARP is the largest organization working on behalf of people age 50+ and their families in the Commonwealth. To learn more about AARP Virginia, like the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aarpvirginia and follow @AARPVa on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aarpva.

Contributed Report The Goochland County Sheriff ’s Office, GoochlandCares and a number of other community partners will be participating in a “Stock the Shelves” event this month, collecting nonperishable food items for residents in need. As part of this effort, sheriff ’s office patrol vehicles will be stationed at both the Courthouse

Commons Shopping Center and the Broadview Shopping Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 12 for a “Pack the Cruiser” event. Donation boxes are also located at the Goochland County Sheriff ’s Office (2938 River Rd W), all six Goochland FireRescue stations, and the Virginia State Police Division 1 Area 4 Office (9300 Brook Road, Glen Allen). Items needed include:

Canned Items: Canned meat (chicken, pork, beef), soups and stew, beans, vegetables, fruit and fruit cocktail, canned milk, jams and jelly Dry Goods and Cooing Staples: peanut butter, nuts and seeds, coffee, tea, spaghetti and pasta, macaroni and cheese, rice, beans, flour, grits, cornmeal, biscuit mix, muffin mix, cornbread mix, sauce and gravy

mix, assorted cereals (hot and cold), crackers Household/Hygiene Items: Cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, bleach, liquid dish soap, bath soap, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, toothbrushes, mouthwash, Band-Aids, paper towels, toilet paper, general cosmetics, disposable diaper (child and adult), feminine hygiene products

Scholarships available for high school students through MSWCD Contributed report

Four $1,000 scholarships are awarded statewide each year through the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s (VASWCD) Educational Foundation. The purpose of these scholarships is to give financial sup-

port to students majoring in or showing a strong desire to major in a course curriculum related to natural resource conservation and/or environmental studies. Individual applicants must be full-time students enrolled in or who have applied to a college freshman level

curriculum. Applicants must also document a class ranking in the top 20% of his or her graduating class or a minimum 3.0 GPA. Participation in the Envirothon contest will be greatly considered in the ranking process. Applications may be obtained by calling the Monacan

SWCD office at (804) 556-4936. Email inquiries may be directed to betty.mccracken@vaswcd.org. Completed applications can be mailed to the Monacan SWCD office at PO Box 66, Goochland 23063 or delivered to the office at 2748 Dogtown Road, Goochland.

Parks and Recreation Events Zumba

to enable the qi, a life force, to flow smoothly and powerfully throughout the body benefiting improved health and balance, increased flexibility and strength, and reduced stress. You can choose to take one or two days a week. $60/one day a week or $120/ two days a week. For more information contact Goochland County Parks and Recreation at (804) 5565854.

Mondays and Wednesdays, through March 2, 6-7 p.m. Zumba is a dance fitness format that will include pop, hip hop, and international music with dance rhythms that incorporate interval exercises. These dances will help you tone target areas on your body and absolutely increase your confidence as this class is a judgment free zone. This party is for everyone Intro to Brazilian Jiujitsu regardless of their fitness level. The goal is to have fun and keep movTuesdays and Thursdays, through ing! $45/6 week session or $7 drop April 21, 7 8:30 p.m. in fee. For more information conThis class will introduce you the tact Goochland County Parks and fundamentals of the fastest growRecreation at (804) 556-5854. ing and most effective martial art, Brazilian Jiujitsu. With a focus on self-defense and practical appli Tai Chi for Health cations, students will finish this Tuesdays and Fridays, through 12-week program with an underMarch 4, 9- 10 a.m. standing of the gentle art. Participants Tai Chi is an effective exercise to need to purchase a Gi and white belt. improve health and well-being. Join $100. For more information conus for a 6-week session to exercise tact Goochland County Parks and your entire body and strengthen your Recreation at (804) 556-5854. mind. The central focus of Tai Chi is

Mini Chefs: Valentines Day Wednesday, Feb. 9, 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Your littlest chef will love making some yummy treats for themselves and their Valentine! $10. For more information contact Goochland County Parks and Recreation at (804) 556-5854.

NRA Firearms Safety

What can help prevent chronic inflammation? Join Rubina Saeed, Phd, for a two and a half hour seminar explaining food, inflammation and prevention. $25. For more information contact Goochland County Parks and Recreation at (804) 5565854.

Help! My Dog Has Hit the Teenage Phase!

Mondays, Feb. 28-April 4, 6:30 p.m.-7:20 p.m. Has your puppy forgotten all it knew? Maybe acting a bit like a teenager? Pushing boundaries, testing the waters? Or maybe you are in between needing puppy training and being ready for your CGC? This can be a challenging time to navigate! In this class we will work on skills that will help you survive their “teen Food, Inflammation, and age phase” and keep them on the Prevention right track to being that fantastic Saturday, Feb. 19, 10:30 a.m.-1 companion we know they can be! $135. For more information conp.m. Ever wonder what is the link tact Goochland County Parks and between diet and inflammation? Recreation at (804) 556-5854. Saturday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Three hour basic pistol course that satisfies Virginia Concealed Carry Weapons permit classroom instruction. Please do not bring your weapon to class. $50. For more information contact Goochland County Parks and Recreation at (804) 5565854.

Thursday

February 10, 2022

SPORTS: Youth, High School, College, Recreational, Professional

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Rosenbaum stays perfect on senior night By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

Coming into his senior night with a perfect 14-0 record, 285-pound Alexander Rosenbaum found himself in a unique position for the first time this season. Usually dominating the competition with relative ease due to his combination of strength and endurance, the star wrestler had his back on the mat for the first time all year, with Dinwiddie’s William Simmons just inches away from pinning him to end his perfect season. “Going through my head I’m thinking I’m not going to lose here, I’m better than this guy,” he said. Seeing Rosenbaum in that position was an unusual sight for his teammates on the bench, who always considered him to be a guaranteed six team points this season. Though it was far from a guarantee, Rosenbaum found a way to escape as he got back to his feet and pinned Simmons in the second period. In his matchup against

Photo by Robby Fletcher

Senior Alexander Rosenbaum is named the victor after a second period pin against Dinwiddie’s William Simmons on Feb. 2.

Patrick Henry’s Jordan Watson, Rosenbaum once again escaped similar danger, reversing his position to pin his opponent to end his regular season with a perfect record. Now looking to continue his winning ways in the upcoming regionals on Feb. 12, Rosenbaum looks back at just

how far he’s come as a wrestler, and how he’s grown to love this sport. Initially trying out the sport his sophomore year after football season ended, Rosenbaum gave the sport a try with a few practices and one exhibition match, but found himself getting overwhelmed by more

experienced wrestlers in the 220-pound weight class. “I kind of got thrown right in with the best people, the big guys who just started throwing me around,” he said. When Goochland head coach Jeremy Wampler joined the program the following year, he convinced the then-junior to

give wrestling another try, helping him better understand the intricacies of the sport. It was there Rosenbaum fell in love. He finished third in regions that year and would’ve qualified for states if not for the pandemic. Still, he entered the offseason looking to become even better. After taking private lessons

with Virginia Team Predator, Rosenbaum came back to the team even stronger, more polished and ready for any opponent thrown his way. He says the level of talent he faced at Predator played a huge role in his development. “I know that I’ve wrestled the best guys around and that I’m ready for anyone,” he said. Now, Rosenbaum’s become a force to be reckoned with, and Wampler knows how to get his star wrestler motivated, often telling Rosenbaum from the sidelines to play the game angry. “He knows when I need to bring that out to the able to wrestle better,” he said. With regionals fast approaching, it’s been business as usual for Rosenbaum, who intends to prepare the same way he has for all of the team’s meets this season. When he faces his first opponent on Feb. 12, he’ll have the same mindset, same classic AC/DC tracks blasting in his headphones and the same confidence that his undefeated streak is far from over.

Goochland boys play tough in matchup with Hornets By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

The Goochland boys basketball team fought hard in its senior night matchup with the Orange County Hornets, but the visiting opponents managed to ice the game from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, winning 70-58. Six Bulldog seniors were honored at the game, with guards Gabe Liptak, Jarvea Cox, Darius Carroll and J.D. Mills standing alongside forwards

Omarion Quarles and De’Andre Robinson. Cox, Liptak and Robinson all made solid contributions on the floor during the game, with Cox leading the way with a team-high 18 points. Liptak contributed 15 points on the night alongside his backcourt partner while Robinson finished with 11 points and six rebounds. The Bulldogs led the way at the halfway point with a 29-25 lead, but the Hornets surged forward with a strong third

quarter showing that gave them an 11-point lead going into the fourth quarter. Goochland fought hard to get itself back into the game, even getting the deficit as close as five points with a minute left to play after some strong scoring from its senior contributors, but Orange County was able to ice the game from the free throw line to win its 13th game of the season. Goochland plays again on Contributed Photo Feb. 11 in a home matchup with Omarion Quarles, from left, Gabe Liptak, J.D. Mills, Darius Carroll, Jarvea Cox and De’Andre Charlottesville High School. Robinson pose together as the 2021-22 senior class.

Thursday

February 10, 2022

SPORTS: Youth, High School, College, Recreational, Professional

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Goochland swim team wraps up regular season By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

In the final week leading up to regionals, Goochland’s swim and dive team had a busy slate of competition as they warmed up for upcoming postseason play. In their first meet of the week on Monday, Jan. 31, the Bulldogs traveled to the Burkwood Swim & Racquet Club to take on Hanover and Powhatan. There were some notable finishes from the Bulldogs, with their first win of the afternoon coming in the fourth event when Callie Horst won the girls 200-yard freestyle event with a 2:07.69 time, five seconds ahead of second-place finisher Delany Wetzel from Hanover. Goochland also had a very impressive performance from its boys in the 200-yard medley relay. The group consist-

ing of William Belcher, seniors Simon Smith and Joe Hardman and sophomore Leyton Sutherland competed against four Hanover relay teams, with the Goochland team finishing in second place with an impressive 2:02.98 time. Hanover’s first-place group finished the race in 1:56.50. Later on in the race, Horst won yet another race for the Bulldogs, completing the 100yard butterfly in 1:04.20. Then, in the boys 100-yard breaststroke, Belcher finished strong with a 1:15.53 time that was seven second ahead of second place Hanover senior Dylan Roosa. Three days after that meet, Goochland and Powhatan met yet again in the water, this time at SwimRVA with Colonial Heights and Orange County joining the competition. The intensity in the pool started up quick in the meet’s second event, when seven

Nick Cooley/Powhatan Today

Left, sophomore Leyton Sutherland swims the backstroke on Jan. 31. Right, senior Simon Smith pushes to the finish line.

seconds separated the first place and fourth place finishers of the girls 200-yard medley relay. The Bulldogs team consisting of junior Madalynn Thompson, senior Anneliese Rogerson, freshman Annika Rogerson and senior Bayleigh Allen won the close race with a time of 2:10.39, just beating Powhatan, who had a 2:12.22 finish. Later, Sutherland won a

two-man race with Powhatan freshman Christopher Naoroz in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:33.43. In the same event for the girls, Anneliese Rogerson rode the momentum from the 200 medley relay win by finishing in second place as the lone Goochland competitor, completing the race in 2:27.92. Goochland’s next big finish came once again from Belcher,

who continued his fantastic week with a win in the 100yard butterfly at 1:00.31. Four events later in the 500-yard freestyle, he once again left the pool as the victor, beating the runner-up by 20 seconds with a stellar 5:20.13 time. The Bulldogs finished with two consecutive winners toward the end of the competition, with Anneliese Rogerson winning her third race of the

day by taking the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:18.84. In their last win of the day, freshman Malachi Montgomery and Smith, Sutherland and Belcher all worked together to win the 400-yard freestyle relay in 4:17.90. Goochland will next gear up for regionals, which begin at Hanover High School on Friday, Feb. 11. The meet starts at 6:10 p.m.

Girls basketball upsets Orange County in rematch By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

The Goochland girls basketball team has gone through its share of growing pains over the course of the season, but the team’s unquestionable effort and fighting spirit were on full display on Monday, Jan. 31 when they beat the Orange County Hornets, 32-16. The Bulldogs last played the Hornets on Jan. 19 in a game that the Bulldogs played tough in for three quarters before the Hornets erupted with an impressive fourth quarter to win the game, 51-39. While it was a tough loss for a Goochland team that was

close to breaking through for a late victory, the girls came out strong in this one, particularly on the defensive end. While the Hornets got going from the free throw line in the first matchup, the Bulldogs played a tough, physical defensive style, but were careful not to foul and give up free opportunities from the line. That defense proved to be the defining force for Goochland, who came away with its first win since Dec. 10 against the Maggie Walker Dragons. Goochland’s seniors played a pivotal role in the win, with backcourt partners Jenika Carter and Emmy Paulin once again leading the charge as both the team’s primary scor-

ers and playmakers. Contributions from senior Lyric Dickerson and junior Rayanna Tibbs have been commonplace for the team this season, and it was no different in their victory on Monday night. The Bulldogs play again on Friday, Feb. 11 when they travel 46 miles down the road to face the Charlottesville Black Knights for the final regular season game of the season. The regional tournament starts up shortly after on Feb. 18. The Black Knights traveled to Goochland for a matchup Nick Cooley/Powhatan Today on Feb. 8. Robby Fletcher can be Senior guard Emmy Paulin surveys the floor for her next move while being closely defended in reached at rfletcher@powhat- Goochland’s home matchup with Western Albemarle High School on Feb. 4. It was Goochland’s second to last home game of the season. antoday.com.

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February 10, 2022

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