The Goochland Gazette – 12/15/2022

Looking Back: Remembering the simple joys of Christmases past. See Page 7

New meat processing facility gets green light from board

RYAN Editor

A controversial plan to locate a new meat processing operation near the Hadensville exit off Interstate 64 is one step closer to reality this week after county supervisors approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for the proposed 25-acre site.

LIND HONORED FOR DEDICATION TO COUNTY’S ELECTORAL PROCESS

Concerns remain about cat colony’s future

ROSLYN RYAN

For Liz Berrier, it’s been a long road.

For over 10 years, Berrier has helped look after a colony of feral cats located behind the Taylor’s Exxon on Sandy Hook Road, just one of dozens of similar cat colonies scattered around the county.

In Berrier’s case, caring for the colony has meant providing food and water, getting the animals spayed and neutered, and finding homes for them when possible.

When a cat was ill or injured, Berrier coaxed it into a carrier and brought it to a veterinarian.

Oftentimes, if one needed time to recover, she brought it home.

As the animal world goes, feral cats have for decades been a polarizing subject, seen by some as harmless creatures in need of human intervention and by others as an invasive threat to homes and businesses. Around the world, feral cat colonies can be found clustered around the margins of business and residential areas, any-

where they can find access to food and shelter. Attempts to control feral cat populations range from trap-neuter-release (TNR) efforts to more lethal means, though the relative effectiveness of any one method remains a topic of debate.

Berrier says efforts to address

Addressing Goochland supervisors during the Dec. 6 board meeting, Goochland resident Hays Gottwald discussed the ongoing need for the services his company, HG Meats, would provide, noting that the lack of local meat processing options has been a challenge for area livestock owners. Gottwald said his plan for a small-scale, certified humane meat processing operation would offer options for local farmers, some of whom have described waiting up to two years and having to travel out of state to have their animals slaughtered.

“My goal is to help local farmers take back control of sustainable meat processing,” Gottwald said.

The facility, which would be

INSIDE: Dino one of several shelter pets looking for forever home this holiday

ROSLYN

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOCHLAND COUNTY

Goochland’s robin Lind, right, accepts a copy of a resolution passed in his honor by the county board of supervisors on dec. 6. Lind, here with board chairman Neil spoonhower, was being celebrated that evening for his two decades of service to the Goochland county electoral board. Lind is set to end his tenure on dec. 31. For the full story, see page 2.

Editor

After two decades, Robin Lind leaving electoral board

ROSLYN RYAN Editor

Goochland residents have likely grown accustomed to hearing from Goochland Electoral Board member Robin Lind during board of supervisors meetings over the years, as he reported on elections or came before the board to discuss other electionrelated matters.

On the evening of Dec. 6, however, they got to hear about him instead.

That night, Goochland County supervisors presented Lind with a formal resolution honoring him for his 20 years of service as a member of the Goochland Electoral Board.

The resolution underscored Lind’s commitment to the electoral process, and his “invaluable service to the citizens of Goochland County.”

Lind, who is set to end his tenure on Dec. 31, 2022, told board members after the resolution was read that he was both “humbled and grateful” for the honor.

“Over the past 20 years, on 34 separate Election Days, conducting 186 individual elections, with separate certifications for every contest, my signature has been my sworn promise to go to prison if the results were not accurate, and the election not free, fair and transparent,” Lind said. “I have been true to my oath.”

Lind noted that he has followed in the footsteps of several long-time electoral board members, and praised the dedication of those who came before him and those still working hard behind the scenes.

“It has been my pleasure, and my immense honor, to be associated with these citizens of Goochland — and their scores of predecessors — whose dedication and integrity have inspired the highest percentage turnout among voters all across the Commonwealth year after year,” Lind said.

Since beginning his time on the board in 2002, Lind has held the roles of chair, vice chair and secretary. He also represented the residents of Goochland County as president of the Virginia Electoral Board.

To Pam Johnson, who this year assumed the role of electoral board chair, Lind has never failed to embody the most important qualities of someone who held his position.

“When I think of Robin, I think of knowledge, fairness and integrity,” Johnson said. “Goochland County is very fortunate to have someone like him, and it has been an honor to serve with him.”

Lind told board members on Dec. 6 that, although he is stepping away, he sees a bright future ahead when it comes to the county’s electoral process.

“I take my leave of you with the most profound conviction that democracy is strong and flourishing in Goochland, and that there is the broadest commitment among both political parties to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and of the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Lind said. “You are in good hands. I am grateful to have been allowed to serve these people I have come to respect and love.”

GOOCHLAND HISTORY REVEALED

GRAPE HARVEST

brothers Otto, edward, William and harry briesmaster pose with their grape harvest in a photo taken sometime around 1908� Otto was born in Germany and immigrated along with his family in 1888, the year edward was born edward always spoke with a slight German accent, a testament to his family roots The family lived in New york before moving to Goochland county� This photo is included in the Goochland county historical society’s 2023 calendar� residents are encouraged to stop by the Gchs building at 2924 river road West or call (804) 556-3966 to get a copy before they sell out

Code section change could ease developers’ sidewalk headaches

ROSLYN RYAN Editor

After urging from the local development community, Goochland County may soon make a change to the county code section that governs the timing that certain subdivision improvements must be completed.

According to Jamie Sherry, Goochland’s director of community development, developers must currently complete all improvements—including installing sidewalks and street trees—once building permits are issued on 50% of the lots in a given subdivision. The proposed change, which was approved by the

planning commission on Dec. 1, would amend that threshold to 80%.

As Sherry explained to planning commissioners, the county has been hearing concerns from developers for several years about the headaches caused by having to complete improvements on yet-to-be sold lots while construction on other properties in underway. Not only does it complicate matters from a timing standpoint, but developers must also contend with the risk that ongoing construction will damage newly installed landscaping and sidewalks.

According to Mitchell Bode, president of Boone

Homes, developers prefer to construct sidewalks and install landscaping in tandem with the construction of each new home.

Bode said the move to 80% build-out will be a welcome change after several years of working with the county on the issue.

Sherry told planning commissioners that the change will also help bring Goochland’s policies in line with those in surrounding counties and is more consistent with industry standards.

The board of supervisors is expected to make the final decision on the matter

Sharp offense driving the Gators to hot start PAGE 8 ALSO

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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

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF JAMES RICHMOND, GOOCHLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Local couple’s home remains a popular holiday destination

ROSLYN RYAN Editor

When David and Bobbie DeHart first began setting up the Christmas display at their Rockville Road home over a decade ago, they knew they wanted to bring a little holiday joy to the people who would see it as they drive by.

These days, both say they could not be more pleased to hear how much their neighbors—and those who go out of their way to drive by every year at this time—have enjoyed

Cats

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the cat colony behind Taylor’s have proven successful over the years, reducing the number of cats from around 40 to now just five. Of those, two are nearing the end of their lives and the remaining three are at least 10 years old. Berrier said her goal had been to simply let the animals live out the rest of their lives behind the building. But that was before the construction of a roundabout at the corner of Sandy Hook and Fairground roads took part of Taylor’s parking lot and Berrier was forced to move the cat’s feeding station. That was also when Berrier said the business owner told her the cats would have to go.

Reached by phone last week, Taylor’s Exxon manager Dave Roques said he preferred not to comment on the issue. Berrier said the reasons she was given for having the cats removed were that the animals have

their efforts.

“That’s the whole idea,” said David last week, just as he was getting ready to power up the many colorful Christmas-themed lawn decorations he spends weeks arranging every year. “We just want to bring a smile to people’s faces.”

Doing that, in this case, means getting started even before Thanksgiving and staying vigilant when winter weather rolls through. Only a handful of decorations have man -

aged to survive the entire 12 years since the display first went up, among them a cherished inflatable of Snoopy sitting atop a doghouse.

It isn’t always a walk in the park, David says, and they likely couldn’t do it without a little help from time to time. His mother, Ann Nuckols, has stepped in to lend a hand, “and she keeps me going.”

As in years past, the DeHart’s Christmas display will be on every night from 6 p.m. to midnight,

and from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. for the children passing by on the school bus.

The home is located at 2375 Rockville Rd, and visitors are encouraged to use the DeHart’s circular driveway to make their way through the lights (getting out of the vehicle is permitted, David said, but he asks that people not walk out into the yard due to safety concerns).

The display is expected to remain up every day until the New Year, weather permitting.

PET OF THE WEEK

Are you still trying to make those final touches to your home before the family arrives? Sounds like you need some help from our friend Dino. Dino is great with everyone—dogs, cats, even the occasional jolly man that like to climb down chimneys. The Goochland Animal Shelter, located at 1900 Hidden Rock Lane in Goochland, has many pets available to a good home. For more information on these pets, call (804) 556-5302.

become a nuisance to customers and that they defecate in the parking lot, both of which Berrier disputes.

Berrier said last week that she has tried talking to Roques but that the two have not been able to reach an agreement.

She said Goochland An-

imal Control told her that she will need to formulate a plan for what to do with the cats, but Berrier said the issue is more complicated than most people realize.

Some of the cats will be nearly impossible to trap, she said, and even if they could be transferred some-

where else the move would prove needlessly traumatic. What she’s hoping now is that a peaceful solution can be found that allows the cats to remain behind the store.

“I can’t believe it has come to this,” Berrier said. “After all these years.”

PHOTO BY SIDNEY WARREN

PHOTO BY ROSLYN RYAN

CALENDAR

SATURDAY, DEC. 17

The Goochland branch Library will host crafternoon: holiday Paper clay Ornaments from 1 – 2 p.m. for those age 18 and up. sign up for an afternoon of making beautiful paper clay ornaments for the

holidays. refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library. call (804) 556-4774 for more information.

MONDAY, DEC. 19

Goochland bridge c lub will be

held at the Goochland branch Library from 3 – 5 p.m. for ages 18 and up. The Goochland bridge club is for those who want to learn how to play or those with a basic knowledge of the game. each week there will be instruction and play time.

call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 river road West for more information.

TUESDAY, DEC. 27

mystery book club will be held at the Goochland branch Library from

10 — 11 a.m. for those age 18 and up. sign up to discuss the group’s chosen mystery title for the month. call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 river road West for more information.

WEDNESDAY DEC. 28

The church of Jesus christ of Latter-day saints will hold a Gospel discussion group at the Goochland Library, 3075 river road West, from 7- 8 p.m. all are welcome!

OBITUARIES

Evelyn Bagby Anderson

ANDERSON, Evelyn Bagby, 93, of Oilville, Va. and cobbs creek, Va. died peacefully November 29, 2022 in Gloucester, Va. she was born January 15, 1929, to James douglas bagby and carrie shannon bagby. evelyn graduated from Goochland high school and attended mary Washington college. she was a member of salem baptist church. evelyn was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, erle Purrington anderson, who passed away september 18, 2019. she is survived by her three children, matthew Garland anderson II, erle doug-

las anderson and helen anderson carter and her husband, William hall carter; four grandchildren, William hall carter Jr. (colleen), clay Purrington carter (annie), matthew Garland anderson III (happy) and brooks anderson Whitten (harrison); and seven great-grandchildren, William and catherine carter, harper, Townsend and elsie anderson, hart and Parker Whitten. evelyn is also survived by her sister, Gladys bagby cole and her four children. The family wishes to thank the caring staff in heron cove 1 at sanders in Gloucester, Va., as well as all

Betty Callahan Norman

NORMAN, Mrs. Betty. beloved mother and grandmother betty callahan Norman passed away peacefully december 5, 2022, at the age of 80. betty is survived by two sons, Kerr and Kevin Norman; two daughtersin-law, courtney Norman and alejandra arroyave; five grandsons and two greatgrandchildren. also survived by her brother, robert callahan. betty Lou was born in Powhatan, Va., spending a majority of her childhood in manakin,

Va. af ter meeting the love of her life, her late husband richard Norman they moved to california. eventually settling in albuquerque, N.m , which she considered home. betty, an avid animal lover, loved horseback riding, dogs and cats. donations preferred to Fur and Feather animal a ssistance inc., Pie Town, N.m , or your local humane society in lieu of flowers. april services are pending in New mexico. betty will be greatly missed.

the wonderful new friends she made there, which had been evelyn’s home for the past nine and a half years. While living there, she was affectionately known as “The mayor” or “The hat Lady,” having an entire wall of hats in her room to choose from daily. a very special thank you to annette mitchell, Pam Winder and Pam brandenburg (and all the heron cove therapy staff) who have loved and cared for her over the past nine-plus years. also, the family wishes to thank Vanessa Laws for leading a beautiful farewell tribute for our mother as she departed

heron cove. a visitation was held on sunday, december 4, at blileys central, 3801 augusta ave., richmond, Va. On saturday, december 10, a joint service and burial was held for both evelyn and her husband, erle, at Westhampton cemetery chapel, 10000 Patterson ave., richmond, Va. (evelyn arrived on time, which was a first for her!!!) In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in evelyn’s memory to Goochland cares, 2999 river road West, Goochland, Va. 23063, or online at http://www.Goochlandcares. org.

Sidewalk

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during the first supervisors meeting of 2023 on Jan. 3.

Two other approved changes that will go before the board of supervisors:

„ A zoning amendment that clari-

fies the maximum

Now hear this: Is it OK to simply tune out?

ROSLYN RYAN Editor

“Certainly, headphones are an obvious method of exercising autonomy, control—choosing what you’ll hear and when, rather than gamely enduring whatever the environment might inflict upon you. In that way, they are defensive; users insist upon privacy (you can’t hear what I hear, and I can’t hear you) in otherwise lawless and unpredictable spaces. Should we think of headphones, then, as just another emblem of catastrophic social decline, a tool that edges us even deeper into narcissism, solipsism, vast unsociability? Another signifier of that most plainly American ideology: independence at any cost?”

Amanda Petrusich, “Headphones Everywhere,” published in The New Yorker, July 12, 2016

As a general rule, even when the workday is especially trying, I always come home and prepare a well-balanced, artfully-plated, four-course meal for my family, after which we linger at the table and discuss our lives and whatever current geopolitical issue we deem to be of significant import.

I also never lie. So if you happened to see a bedraggled woman heading into a local pizza establishment on two separate occasions last week, and then leaving with several very large

pies she planned to serve a la kitchen counter with a side of paper towels and tap water, I assure you it was not me.

If it had been me, and I had to wait just a few minutes for my order to be ready, I might have

had the opportunity to peek back at the kitchen where at least a dozen employees were hard at work churning out pizzas and plating pasta dishes. And I might have noted, with some curiosity, that several of the employees had earbuds in their ears.

As someone who remembers when the Walkman was the hottest accessory of the day, I certainly don’t find the idea of listening to music through headphones strange. (I do have a pair of earphones, albeit they are the kind attached to wires that plug into your phone, which I guess is kind of the personal audio device version of a ‘92 Volvo wagon, which I also have. So there’s that.) No, I suppose what I find so interesting is the fact that, lately, it seems as though earbuds and headphones are everywhere. I have seen people wearing them in the grocery store, in line at the post office and walking around at the mall. Please don’t get me wrong; I’m not complaining. Unless you’re blocking a fire exit or about to be hit by a falling piano, I don’t guess you really need to hear what the people around you are saying or how the world is unfolding just a few yards in any direction. But I also can’t help but feel as though there is something lost when we aurally check out.

Maybe it’s just because I’m a bit nosey (I’ve been accused of being “a lot nosey,” but I’ll only

cop to a bit) but I’ve always loved picking up snippets of conversation when I’m walking or waiting somewhere. I like dipping in and out of other people’s lives, but I also love ambient sounds in general. I love the hiss of an old radiator coming on, and the distant, muffled chug of the train that runs through town a few miles from my house. I noticed the other day, for the first time, that windshield wipers whirring away in an otherwise silent car have a terribly sad connotation, and I realized that this is because any time I’ve been in a car and could hear the windshield wipers I was probably on my way to or from a funeral or some other event where it didn’t feel right to have the radio on.

On the other hand, the sound of fresh snow crunching underfoot in an otherwise silent front yard, just as the sun is coming up, may be one of the happiest sounds—to me, as a kid, it meant school was likely out and a day of snuggling under blankets and watching movies was soon to follow.

As you may have guessed, I’m odd. When I lived in the city I liked the sound of garbage trucks in the ally below my window, and I’ve been known to cue up YouTube videos of rainforest or seaside sounds when the winter gets particularly long and bleak. I wore headphones to the

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Village plans could end up doing Goochland more harm than good

Dear Editor, What a stunningly beautiful autumn we have had in Goochland! The trees were full of orange and yellow leaves illuminated by the setting sun in late afternoon. The skies were filled with geese and migratory birds.

The fields twinkled with silver frost while crops and hayfields slept silently beneath. The field animals in their new winter coats gracefully warmed themselves in sunlight before heading back to their barns. And all this, so peaceful and calming, exists for us immediately upon crossing our county line. It has been my experience that because of what we are, we are the envy of surrounding counties.

Currently Goochland has entered into a contract with a Charlottesville consultant group to brand Centerville and the Courthouse. Citizens have attended several community meetings to hear branding and imaging ideas created by the firm, who did not confer with the farmers and hunters to whom the land is also dear.

Publisher Joy Monopoli

Managing Editor laura McFarland lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com

Editor Roslyn Ryan rryan@goochlandgazette.com

rfletcher@powhatantoday.com

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS

The Gazette welcomes your signed letters to the editor on topics of interest to Goochland residents. Letters must include your address and a daytime telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters. We do not guarantee that every letter received will be published. Letters reflect the opinions and positions of the writers and not The Goochland Gazette.

send letters to: The Goochland Gazette 8460 Times-dispatch blvd. mechanicsville, Va. 23116 Fax: (804) 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.

New land use maps were proposed to facilitate Centerville’s new future as a dynamic and vibrant place. Banners hanging along Broad Street, such as those seen in many cities, are recommended to create a festive welcoming to “Centerville Village.” Parking needs are being studied to accommodate cars that will gravitate to new shopping opportunities, which the consultants have tagged a vibrant and dynamic experience. The question becomes, “to whom are we marketing ourselves, and why?”

METROCREATIVE PHOTO

OPINION

Finding a place for Christmas past

JIM RIDOLPHI Contributing Columnist

Everything must evolve. And so it is with Christmas lights. It seems each year they become more brilliant and dazzling, filling all who pass by with a little hint of the season.

For the past several years, a singularly decorated tree on a neighboring street has attracted increasing attention; and each year the owner adds another dimension from the latest technology, resulting in a display that seems almost magical.

I recently passed her house and noticed the owner was preparing the tree for this year’s debut, so I stopped and told her of my enduring appreciation of her work. She was happy to explain the history of her dedication to the decoration, a tradition started years ago when she became a widow. The lights made her feel better during a difficult time of year and served as sort of an annual memorial to her late husband.

She explained how the lights have evolved over the

years becoming more efficient and easy to install.

The results are brilliant and attract a line of visitors who slow their cars to marvel at the tree. As I passed, the tree’s brilliance filled the car with the latest technologically correct illumination.

But, it didn’t take long for me to remember lights from another era when decorations didn’t go up until mid December.

For me, there’s something about a dimly lit street with porches adorned with dully colored bulbs or a lighted Santa Claus mounted on a wall that still evokes a sense of Christmas past — a simpler and perhaps less lustrous celebration. There were fewer bulbs with less intensity, but somehow the subtle aura of the mismatched lights signaled the true arrival of the season.

When I look at the beautiful artificial trees available today, I think back to my first experience with non authentic variety now more popular than the original. It was what we called an aluminum tree – all silver with aluminum foil like tinsel.

Letter

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In my humble opinion, Goochland taxpayers are funding a firm to kill the goose that laid the golden egg. Destroying the natural beauty that has formed over generations and is laid out before us every day, to re-imagined banners and shopping as a substitute for what has made us a healthy, peaceful community, is not worth pursuing unless we want to open the county for high density living and everything it

brings. Then we could tag Goochland “Henrico West.”

To protect our assets and the place we call home requires an organized commitment of those who appreciate what we have and have sometimes taken for granted, which is now up for grabs.

Perhaps we also need a consultant to give clarity to what could be forever lost in an attempt to brand ourselves and reimagine our county and our land use maps.

Patricia Hendy Manakin-Sabot

We marveled as we peered through a department store window on what resembled a space age version of an old familiar tradition.

The aluminum trees were usually decorated with balls of only one color – usually blue – and were further made unworldly by a small reflecting panel that sat on the floor near the tree. A light bulb placed behind the revolving wheel provided the illusion of changing colors, certainly impressive but never capable of evoking the sense of seasonal cheer provided by the smell of a fresh tree or warm cider.

Like the progression of lights experienced in years of Christmas seasons, we all evolve. Perhaps Christmas is the perfect opportunity to combine the spectacular brilliance of our present day holidays and the memory of those dimly lit porches that remain. Perhaps, Christmas is truly a time to appreciate the present but still maintain a healthy reverence for the past.

As Faulkner wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”

Tune

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grocery store exactly one time, and made it to aisle three before I pulled them out. It just didn’t feel right.

Again, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with tuning out the world, with curating the soundscape so that it is exactly what you want, wherever you happen to be. But the idea of tuning out the vibrant hum of life around us, the swirl of sounds that, for better or worse, paint a picture of where we are in space and time?

Forgive me, but that just doesn’t sound very good at all.

Sharp offense driving the Gators to hot start

ROBBY FLETCHER Sports Editor

With a keen eye set on the Saint Gertrude’s basketball team, it’s hard not to notice that the Gators are always moving.

That’s not hyperbolic in any sense. While the ball flies around at a quick pace, it’s what’s happening off the ball that sets the Gators apart from the pack in a talented VISAA filled with contending teams.

Whether it is two Gators moving to the free throw line to set an elevator screen, an action rarely seen even at the highest levels of basketball, or a Gator setting a flare screen that allows a sprinting teammate to fly off the screen and into a clean look from the perimeter, head coach Robyn D’Onofrio has her team humming like a tuned engine and leaving defenders enervated.

“We have really great leadership this year,” D’Onofrio said. “We have seniors on the team that have just been anchors for us, they have kept us grounded and levelheaded when we’re playing. They guide the younger ones who are learning the system. They have just been the greatest part of the season so far.”

With a 4-2 record to start the season, a current three-game win streak and returning stars like Sam Smith, Erin Woodson and Ava Fulkerson, the Gators look poised to be a contender for the VISAA state title yet again.

Their latest victim was the Collegiate Cougars (1-2), who the Gators took care of 69-46 through unselfish ball movement, sharpshooting from deep and discipline on the defensive end that’s been prevalent in their three-game win streak.

The Gators shot 52% from the floor during the game and 50% from three on 16 attempts, with Woodson leading the way with an all-around performance of 28 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals. Fulkerson, finishing with 22 points, was deadly from beyond the arc, converting on four of her five 3-pointers.

While D’Onofrio calls plays from the sideline that play a role in getting scorers like Woodson and Fulkerson clean looks, she credits a lot of the offense’s efficiency to what Smith does as the team’s floor general. Smith, a senior, has demonstrated a prescient knack for reading what the defense is showing her, where her teammates are going to be and what play will spring open a shooter regardless of defensive adjustments.

“Sam Smith is a great floor general,” D’Onofrio said. “I give her a lot of leeway to make play calls from her position on the floor, and she makes really great decisions almost all the time. I’m very lucky, I feel like I have a coach on

the floor with her.”

Smith showcased that playmaking ability with eight assists in the Collegiate matchup, while also dominating on the defensive end with a team-high five steals.

While Smith organizes the offense, it’s usually Woodson who executes the resulting attack on the rim, often to great success.

Woodson, a future Division I athlete who committed to Purdue Fort Wayne last December, is already off to a hot start as a scoring threat for the Gators, but her impact on the team’s success goes far beyond just her three-level scoring.

“She’s the multi-purpose tool on our team,” D’Onofrio said. “Everybody sees that she scores a

lot of points which is great for us, but her and Sam together accomplish all the intangibles, the stuff that you can see when you’re on the floor.”

Woodson demonstrates intangibles like a hesitation cut that shuts down passing lanes on the defensive end or a skip pass that throws the opposing defense’s rotations into a frenzy to recover and close out when she’s on the floor. A scorer, playmaker, glasscrashing rebounder and on-ball defender that contributes to each department in equal measure, a lot of Saint Gertrude’s success in the postseason will come down to the efforts of someone like Woodson that can make the team better in

more ways than just her point total.

“She’s one of the spectacular few that I’ve had in my career, so she’s a blessing for sure,” D’Onofrio said.

Two years removed from their state title season and coming off a season that ended in the state semifinals last year, the senior class of Smith, Woodson, Madelyn Mitchell and Elise Hickman have one last shot at a state title run for their school. Based on the early developments they’ve shown leading the way in 2022-23, there’s certainly a chance for them to reclaim the state championship trophy one more time before they close out this chapter with the Gators.

PHOTO BY ROBBY FLETCHER

saint Gertrude forward erin Woodson (4) blocks a shot in the team’s 69-46 victory over collegiate on dec. 9.

Goochland wrestling places second at Patriot Revolution

ROBBY FLETCHER Sports Editor

Goochland wrestling's hot start to the season continued this past week, with the team first knocking off three teams in a district meet on Dec. 7 and then placing second in the Patrick Henryhosted Patriot Revolution invitational tournament on Dec. 10.

Goochland flexed its muscles on the mats against Western Albemarle (54-30), Fluvanna (63-18) and Albemarle (66-12) at a meet hosted by Albemarle and then stood out in a field of 12 teams to take the second place trophy at Patrick Henry three days later. Coming off a promising season last year, head coach Jeremy Wampler’s current group is doing everything right in its quest to build on last year’s success and grow into an eventual district giant.

“They’re embracing what we’re coaching, both in terms of moves, and also with the overall attitude of what we want Goochland Wrestling to be,” Wampler said after the Patriot Revolution tournament. “They really took a huge step forward today.”

The hosting Patriots ultimately won their tournament with a team score of 268.5 points, but the Bulldogs were close behind, finishing with 226 points. Varina rounded out the top-3 with 221 points.

The top performers of the tournament for the Bulldogs were first place winners Riley Hite, Reese Vincent and Patrick Harlow, all returning core members from last year’s team.

Hite, competing in the 150-pound class, won his first place title through three consecutive pins from the quarterfinals all the way down to the championship match. After winning the quarterfinals match with a pin in the first period, it took him until the second period to take the semifinal and championship victories. In the final against Clover Hill’s Kaiden Webb, Hite took the first place prize with a pin in 3:19.

Vincent, currently a perfect 4-0 to start the season, won with pins in the quarterfinals and the semifinals for the Bulldogs before taking the championship over Glen Allen’s Nana Utsey in a close 7-5 decision that came down to

the wire and was tied 2-2 heading into the third period.

Harlow ultimately won the championship by injury default, but before the final he won the quarterfinals and semifinals with first period pins over Caroline’s John Button and King William’s Garret Fulks.

Other notable finishes include second place finishes from Noah Daniel in the 138-pound class and Seth Conrad in the 285-pound class. Jordan Duke, Nick Daniel and Ethan Winter also placed fourth for the Bulldogs.

Wampler acknowledges the season is still young and there’s plenty of room for improvement, but the start the Bulldogs have had is an encouraging one for an up-and-coming group that’s proving to be a worthy challenger among the top teams in the Jefferson District.

“The season is still early, but moments like this show us that what we’re doing as a team is working, and now we need to set our sights on working to ensure that we can fire up like this throughout the rest of the season,” Wampler said.

Bulldogs fall to Indians in tough season debut

ROBBY FLETCHER Sports Editor

Goochland’s basketball season just got underway with a homeopening duel with the Powhatan Indians, and while Goochland wasn’t able to start the season with a victory in the 70-47 loss, there were enough positives for it to be a promising start to a new season.

The Indians entered the contest having already played two games, a good enough tune-up for a group featuring four returning starters for them to look like a team already used to playing with each other. The Bulldogs on the other hand feature plenty of new faces and will naturally need time to gel with each other on the floor in the early parts of the season.

One returning Bulldog who looked ready for the season was Nik Cotner, who had an excellent showing in his first game back, leading the team with 11 points and countless defensive highlights. Cotner quickly made a strong first impression against the Indians with a baseline drive for a contested layup to start the second quarter, then proceeded to make another basket at the rim the next possession followed by a steal to kill off a scoring chance for the Indians.

At the end of the first half, Cotner again displayed his excellent defensive acumen, recording yet another steal and earning a trip to the free throw line with 19 seconds to go, and then immediately earning a second consecutive steal after he deflected a pass which led to another quick trip to the free throw line. Just as the half ended, he nearly got a third steal in as many possessions when he went to intercept a pass.

Despite going into the half down 31-13 after a tough first quarter, the Bulldogs showed some nice adjustments in the second quarter, winning that period 10-9 to go into the locker room with some momentum.

In the second half, Gooch-

land’s scoring mostly came from guards Jamason Pryor and Kedrick Quarles, with Pryor shaking off some early struggles with six second half points to finish the evening with eight total.

Quarles scored all seven of his points in the second half, including a display of impressive shotmaking in the third quarter when he buried a top-of-the-arc step back 3-pointer that made it 4326.

In the fourth quarter, with the lead out of reach, the Bulldogs still fought down to the final buzzer, displaying scrappy defense to force some tough shotmaking on the Indians’ side. Cotner at one point scored four straight points off of two layups, one of which came off yet another steal with just over four minutes remaining in the game.

In the final minute, freshman forward JoJo Johnson saw what Quarles did on his step back three and went for one himself, burying an impressive 3-pointer of his own along with a late layup to finish his night with seven points.

Goochland will continue on with its season with a road matchup against Jefferson District foe Louisa County on Friday, Dec. 16. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m.

PHOTO BY ROBBY FLETCHER

Goochland senior reese Vincent picks up Patrick henry’s michael butcher in the 165-pound semifinals of the Patriot revolution wrestling tournament on dec. 10.

PHOTO BY ROBBY FLETCHER

Goochland senior Nik cotner handles the ball near the baseline in a home matchup against Powhatan on dec. 6.

(804)556-5400.

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From 1

located off Old Fredericksburg Road, will have the capacity to process up to 75 animals a week, Gottwald said. He told supervisors that he currently has no plan to increase that capacity, and that the operation would have little to no impact on surrounding property owners.

As was the case during several previous meetings, including the planning commission meeting on Nov. 3, some residents expressed doubt that the processing facility would be a good fit for the area. Among the issues they cited were the possibility of increased traffic, potential for groundwater contamination and a future decline in property values.

“One of the things I think we’re missing here is us,” said Robin Anderson, who lives near the site. “And I think if anyone here had it in their backyard they’d think twice.”

Responding that his operation would be held to stringent health and environmental standards by both the Virginia Department of Health, the

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and several other state and federal organizations, Gottwald insisted that traffic to and from the site would add only a handful of extra trips a day from customers and the eight employees he is planning to hire.

According to the conditions outlined in the CUP, all processing will need to be done inside the facility, and any animals kept overnight will need to be monitored. All of the animals will also need to be kept in a fully enclosed area.

Despite the concerns raised during the hearing, the board members were unanimous—if cautious— in supporting the plan.

“I do believe that everyone should do what they want to on their property as long as they don’t harm their neighbors,” said District 1 supervisor Susan Lascolette. “And there’s the question, are we harming neighbors? And that’s what we’ve tried to ferret out tonight.”

Lascolette said the only issue that had not been put to rest was the question of what the processing facility would mean for the value of surrounding properties.

RECENT PROPERTY TRANSFERS

11.37 acres; William K. Lewis, trustee to Lucy Lane LLC, $731,400.

3.29 acres; Rhonda L. Davis to Aaron Davis, $215,000.

8.05 acres; Daniel C. Byrnes to Sivakumar Gowrishankar, $540,000.

6 Broad Run Road, Manakin Sabot; John Michael Montgomery to John C. Downen, $590,000.

560 Church Hill Road, Manakin Sabot; Blue Ridge Custom Homes LLC to Joshua Shuford, $788,500.

3750 Grays Lane, Goochland; Joshua L. Carter to Scott Pearce, $235,000.

736 Lee Road, Crozier; Charles S. Luck IV, trustee to Charles G. Meyer III, $300,000.

Lot 10, Section 2, Tally Ho Estates; Ann Marie Bovino to Wayne R. Byrd, trustee, $230,000.

Lot 16, Old Dominion Industrial; Betty S. Valentine to Grayson Crawford McNeely, $290,000.

Lot 27, Section 9, Kinloch; Kinloch Development Corp. to Mark C. Loving, $460,000.

Lot 35, Tuckahoe Creek; Ellington Custom Homes LLC to Gerard A. Donaghy, $233,245.

ARIES • Mar 21/Apr 20

Aries, no matter how much you try to tip the odds in your favor, this week is much more about the luck of the draw. Keep a positive outlook and things may turn out in your favor.

TAURUS • Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, if winter’s chill is getting you down, you may want to plan a getaway to somewhere warmer. That may be just what you need to recharge.

GEMINI • May 22/Jun 21

The two sides of your personality are lately at odds with one another, Gemini. You have to make an important decision, so seek out a friend for advice.

CANCER • Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, you lean toward an optimistic view on most things, but it is alright to be realistic at some points along the way, or even slightly skeptical. Balance is key.

LEO • Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, if you are feeling under the weather this week, you will have to put on a smile and push through. It is the holidays, after all. Seek as much help as others can muster.

VIRGO • Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, you are on borrowed time regarding your finances. Take a careful look at your budget this week and make the tweaks necessary to stay afloat if income wanes.

LIBRA • Sept 23/Oct 23

A companion animal in your life needs some attention, Libra. There may be some vet bills to contend with, but luckily you can handle that without much issue.

SCORPIO • Oct 24/Nov 22

The activity you have been turning to provide mental stimulation just may not be cutting it any longer. Start to explore some other options and see if there may be a better fit, Scorpio.

SAGITTARIUS • Nov 23/Dec 21

A health issue that has been getting the better of you for some time will be resolved for in the days to come, Sagittarius. It’ll be birthday good news. Start celebrating.

CAPRICORN • Dec 22/Jan 20

Capricorn, after a tumultuous few weeks, things in your life finally settle down. Embrace the opportunity to rest and do not take on any new projects until next year.

AQUARIUS • Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, things may not be going completely according to plan on the professional front. But at home you have gotten into a solid groove. Use this win to boost your mood.

PISCES • Feb 19/Mar 20

There is much more to a situation than meets the eye, Pisces. Delve deeper to learn about a person’s true motivation.