11/27/2013 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony set for Dec. 6. > page 3

Volume 59, Number 47 • November 27, 2013

College’s ‘refresh’ a hit with students, alumni

Student wrapping up stint as board liaison

Reynolds boasts new logo, website

Jasmine Coles, 17, has offered school leaders students’ point of view

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

If you happened to notice something different about J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College recently, you’re not alone. In fact, since the 41-year-old school rolled out a newly refurbished logo and sleeker website as part of a full-scale brand refresh earlier this year, plenty of people have noticed. According to Kelly A. Smith, the school’s director of marketing, the response from students, alumni and community members has been overwhelmingly positive—and the feedback is as much about the timing as it is about the new look. “We are hearing that it’s about time we are ‘loud and proud’ about the important role we serve for families,” said Smith. The move to polish the school’s image, which involved a two-phase research and development process at a total cost of $100,000, came after school leaders became concerned that the public’s current understanding see Refresh > page 3

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Photo by Ken Odor

Fifth grade Byrd Elementary School teacher Jamie Beatty leads the students in a dance during the school’s recent farmers market as her daughter Isabella, 7, right in the white shirt, watches.

Market

VALUE Byrd Elementary’s sale raises funds for those in need

By Ken Odor Special Correspondent

A crowd of vendors and shoppers filled the Byrd Elementary School gymnasium Nov. 19 for the school’s first fall farmers market, with all the proceeds going to the Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services (GFCFS). The Page family manned one of about 30 tables offering their wares to shoppers, who turned the gymnasium into a toasty shopping spot on a chilly night. see Market > page 10

Christmas couple working to help local families Contributed Report

Looking to bring a smile to local child’s face this holiday season? Goochland County’s Christmas Mother and Father, Elizabeth and Marc Jones, continue to accept donations on behalf of county fami-

lies in need. Send donations to Goochland Christmas Mother, P.O. Box 322, Goochland, Va. 23063. For more details, visit www.goochlandchristmasmother.org, call the Christmas Mother Hotline at (804) 556-3411 or

email info@ goochlandchristm a s mother. org.

To Goochland High School senior Jasmine Coles, 17, “busy” is more than just an adjective — it’s a way of life. Come January, however, Coles will be able to take one thing off her “to do” list. At the school board meeting set for Jan. 9, she will officially step down as the board’s Coles first-ever student liaison. The job, which requires Coles to attend all school board meetings and act as a sort of conduit for the viewpoints and opinions of her fellow students, is one she is wellsuited for, according to Dr. James Lane, Goochland County School superintendent. see Coles > page 3

Wednesday

November 27, 2013

A County Seat Christmas

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Pets of the week

INSIDE

Steve Bassett Group donates turkeys to families in need. PAGE 8

SPORTS Reservations 804-598-5000 Photos submitted by Lisa Beczkiewicz

Systems Your Local Water Professional Plumbing repair, renovation and emergency work Water, pool and sewage pumps 5 year water pump warranty! Water filtration systems that work!

The Goochland Animal Shelter, located at 1900 Hidden Rock Lane, Goochland has the following pets available to a good home: a very sweet mixed-breed dog, about 18 months old; a pretty female Brindle mix, about 2 years old; and a friendly torti kitten, about 6 months old. All of these animals are rabies vaccinated. For more information on these pets, as well as the many more still in need of homes at the Goochland Animal Shelter, call (804) 556-5302. The hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. You also can visit the shelter on Facebook at “Goochland County Animal Control.” The shelter welcomes donations of cat litter in December.

Crozier’s Zbinden takes enlistment oath

GHS eliminates Wilson Memorial for third straight year PAGE 11 Calendar ................................ 4 Classifieds ......................16-19 Letters .................................... 6 Obituaries .............................. 5 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports .............................11-12 TV Listings ......................13-15

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CONTACT US Toll Free - (877) 888-0449 Office - (804) 746-1235 x 0 Joy Monopoli Publisher (804) 746-1235 x 14 Fax: (804) 819-5529 Melody Kinser Managing Editor (804) 746-1235 x 22 Fax: (804) 730-0476 Roslyn Ryan Editor (804) 339-7956

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On Monday, Nov. 11, on the campus of Hampden-Sydney College, Cadet R. Maxwell Zbinden, Hampden-Sydney College Class of 2015, contracted for a full ROTC scholarship with the U.S. Army. Zbinden will pursue a commission as an Army officer and will begin his service after graduation from the college. He is a graduate of Goochland High School and the son of Zack and Karen Zbinden of Crozier. Cadet Zbinden took his enlistment oath to support and defend the U.S. Constitution in front of the Hampden-Sydney Memorial Gates where the names of Hampden-Sydney alumni who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation are listed.

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November 27, 2013

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Tree lighting set for Dec. 6 By Roslyn Ryan Editor

continued from > page 1 of the school’s mission wasn’t complete. “What we learned is most people in the region are very familiar that Reynolds exists — they just don’t know enough about what we do,” said Smith. “It’s a very good position to be in from a marketing standpoint … we just need to tell them and show them more that Reynolds is place where outstanding students, lives, and careers get started.” To that end, the logo was given a more contemporary look, and now consists of a stylized version of the letters JSR alongside “Reynolds Community College.” “We intentionally kept the JSR as a tribute to the late J.

Sargeant Reynolds, for whom our college is named,” said Smith. “We also learned from the research there was a lot of brand equity in that logo— people recognized it and knew who we were. So we didn’t need to change it too much.” Though the school’s name legally remains J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, marketing materials now list it as Reynolds Community College, or Reynolds. The website was also completely redesigned to improve functionality, a move that could have been disastrous if improperly handled. Fortunately, said Smith, the change went off without a hitch. “We were anticipating lots of phone calls on questions from students about where to find things online,” Smith said, “and our information center

continued from > page 1 “Jasmine was the perfect student to choose as our inaugural student representative to the school board,” Lane said. “I have found her feedback, both in board meetings and in our student advisory council, to be excellent and informative. Jasmine has a leadership presence amongst the student body that leads me to believe that she will see exceptional success in her life and career choices.” For her part, Coles said she has enjoyed serving with the board. “At first it was a little

Though it’s sometimes hard to pin down just when the Christmas season officially begins—is it when the stores set up Santa displays? When the radio starts playing carols?—Goochland residents will once again have a sure sign that the holidays are underway. On Dec. 6, the Goochland County YMCA (located at 1800 Dickinson Road) will be hosting a Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration, featuring caroling, holiday-themed activities, cookies and hot chocolate. A partnership between the YMCA and Goochland County Parks, Recreation, the event will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with Santa’s big entrance at 7 p.m. “The tree lighting is great example of how community partners can work together to bring a special winter time event to Goochland County,” said county Parks and Rec director Derek Stamey. According to Stamey, the event started as an idea in a meeting before evolving into an annual celebration. The tree will remain lit from Friday, Dec. 6 through the New Year. For more information, contact Goochland County Parks, Recreation & Facilities at (804) 556-5854 or the Goochland Family YMCA (804) 556-9887.

Refresh

Coles

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rough, because I didn’t understand all the policies,” Coles said. “But as time went on I really began to understand what my role was.” Her fellow students eventually caught on as well, sharing their views on school policy. One thing Coles would like to see in the future? The adoption of a more formalized process for students to share their views with the liaison. As for her own future, Coles plans on heading to Virginia Commonwealth University this fall, majoring in clinical studies and taking the first step toward her eventual goal of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon.

For now, however, she will continue to spend her time studying, dancing for both the school dance team and Aspire Dance Academy in Centerville, and maybe even squeezing in a few minutes of television. The key to juggling it all? “Passion,” Coles said. “I always believe that if you’re not passionate about what you’re doing than you won’t be able to get things done. That, and definitely organization.” Coles admitted that, when it comes to staying on top of everything, she still has to work at it. “I haven’t figured it all out yet,” she laughed. “But it’s getting better.”

The

Nutcracker

director reported there was not one student complaint received in the initial launch week. That’s amazing considering they field hundreds of calls daily.” While Smith said school officials have been very pleased with the public’s response to the changes, there was one opinion on which they placed a particularly high value: that of the family of the late Lt. Gov. J. Sargeant Reynolds. “For me, there is no better praise than to know the Reynolds family is more than pleased with our efforts here,” Smith said, noting that numerous family members have told her how much they enjoy the new look. “It validates that our inclusive process in the brand refresh, and the comprehensive research conducted, was well worth the investment.”

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CALENDAR: Community Events

November 27, 2013

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Wednesday, Dec. 4 Library Toddler Storytime will begin at 11 a.m. for ages 3 to 5 years old at the Goochland Branch Library. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Storytime 10:45 a.m. for ages 6 to 24 months (with an adult) will be held at the Goochland Branch Library. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

The Fife Fire and Rescue Auxiliary will be hosting a Santa Preschool Storytime will Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at begin at 10 a.m. for ages 3 to the Fife Fire House #4, 2397 5 years old. Mother Goose Hadensville-Fife Road. Santa will arrive at 8 a.m. and particiBrown Motor Parts, Inc. pants will be able to take part in a raffle for a ham. Donations Rt. 6 & 45 at George’s Tavern will be welcome. 5285 River Road West Thursday, Dec. 5

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to purchase a gift at Santa’s Store (located in Santa’s Workshop) the morning of the breakfast. Children age 3 and under are admitted free. Breakfast includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, apples, biscuits, juice, milk and Friday, Dec. 6 coffee. Pictures with Santa will Toddler Storytime at the be available for a nominal fee. Cochrane Rockville Branch Library begins at 10:15 a.m. The Rockville Bazaar will be for 2-year-olds (with an adult). held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Family Storytime begins at Rockville Community Center, 10:45 a.m. for all ages. For located at 16238 Pouncey Tract more information call (804) Road in Rockville. Bring your 749-3146 or visit the library at friends and join us in the fun. 16600 Pouncey Tract Road. Come early and bring the kids to have breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

A Computer Basics II class will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Goochland Branch Library. This class will teach participants how to do basic tasks with Microsoft Word and how to surf the web with Internet Explorer. You must call (804) 556-4774 to sign up for this class. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more informaThe Nutcracker Ballet tion. is coming to Goochland. This classic ballet is comThe James River Arts ing to Benedictine College Council (Scottsville) will host Preparatory. Nothing will get a holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. you and your family into the at the Scottsville Presbyterian holiday spirit quite like The Church (near the corner of Bird Nutcracker. Show times will and Valley Streets) with the be 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets Works of Handel and Holiday are available at http://bcpMusic performed by the fund.eventbrite.com or www. Charlottesville Brass Quintet. benedictinecollegeprep.org The public is invited and dona- Call Patrese Pyle at (804) 708tions will be accepted at the 9525 for more information. door. Tickets are $12.

2721330-01

Tickets are $12. Monday, Dec. 9

The Jingle Bell Bazaar will offer holiday gifts, clothing, jewelry, artwork, food, and more. Hosted by Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services (GFCFS), the event kicks off Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and continues on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to the public, this annual event is at the Richmond Country Club located at 12950 Patterson Avenue (just off the 288) with free and easy parking. For more information, visit www. goochlandfreeclinicandfamilyservices.org or call (804) 556Mount Gilead Baptist 6260. Church, located at 4768 Shannon Hill Road, will host Tuesday Dec. 10 a breakfast with Santa from A Learning Microsoft Word 8 to 10:30 a.m. Breakfast will class will be held from 6:30 include pancakes, sausage, eggs, to 8:30 p.m. at the Cochrane fruit, juice, milk and coffee. The Rockville Branch Library. cost to attend is $10 for adults Learn how to format, edit, and and $5 for children age 12 and save documents in Word. You under. Children under age 2 are must call (804) 749-3146 or admitted free. For more inforvisit the library to sign up for mation, call the church at (804) this class. 457-2938. A Gingerbread House Workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Goochland Branch Library. Make and decorate your own gingerbread house for the holidays. Call or visit the library to sign up (the class is open to up to 10 participants). Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Centerville (Company 3) Fire and Rescue will be havSunday, Dec. 8 ing their annual Breakfast with Santa from 7:30 to 10 The Nutcracker Ballet is a.m. Pictures with Santa and coming to Benedictine College a free breakfast will be served. Preparatory. Nothing will get you and your family into the Donations are welcome. holiday spirit quite like The The Rockville Ruritan Club Nutcracker. Show time is 2:30. will present a Santa Breakfast Tickets are available at from at 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at h t t p : / / b c p f u n d . e v e n t Rockville Community Center, brite.com or www.bene16328 Pouncey Tract Road. All d i c t i n e c o l l e g e p r e p . o r g tickets are $5 and children 10 Call Patrese Pyle at (804) 708and under will be refunded $1 9525 for more information.

PJ Storytime will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library. Wear your pajamas and bring your favorite plush friend for a fun, snuggly evening of stories and crafts. Bedtime snacks will be provided by the Friends of the Rockville Library. For more information call (804) 7493146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road. Friday, Dec. 27 A Winter Break Movie Matinee will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library. School’s out, but kids can still connect with their friends during a fun feature-length flick on the big screen. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Rockville Library. For more information call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road.

Wednesday

November 27, 2013 Catherine Cooley COOLEY, Catherine, 87, of Goochland, departed this life Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013. Remains rested at Robert Mealy Funeral Home, Goochland, Va. Funeral notice later.

Helen Robertson ROBERTSON, Helen Bowman, who was born on January 13, 1951, died on Nov. 17, 2013. She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Emily Kate Robertson; her husband, Russ Robertson; parents, Charles and Aileen Bowman; two brothers, Charles Bowman and Robert Earl Bowman. She is survived by her sons, Russell V. (Leann), Richard F. (Melissa) and William E. (Wendy); six grandchildren; brothers, Graham (Carol), Elwood (Margaret), Benjamin (Evelyn), William, Kenneth (Christine), all of Goochland; brother-in-law, Richard Robertson (Kay); and a large loving family of nieces and nephews. The family received friends on Nov. 20 at Gum Springs United Methodist Church, 191 Cross County Rd., where a funeral service was held on Nov. 21. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Kate Robertson Memorial Scholarship Fund at Saint Gertrude High School, 3215 Stuart Ave., Richmond, Va. 23221.

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

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In conflict with wildlife? Call VDGIF Contributed Report

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) has announced a new Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline, a resource for resolving human-wildlife conflicts. The helpline is a collaborative effort between the VDGIF and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Wildlife Services (WS) to address human-wildlife interactions by sharing science-based wildlife information. The helpline is available toll-

Know the facts about ash disposal Contributed Report

The improper disposal of ashes from fireplaces and woodstoves can cause wildland and structural fires. Wood ashes retain enough heat to ignite other combustible materials for

free at (855) 571-9003, from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Techniques recommended to the public are environmentally sound, safe, and selective and meet wildlife professionals’ standards. Individuals are helped with “do-it-yourself” instructions and are provided with the necessary information and literature, referred to websites when appropriate, or directed to other sources of assistance. In those instances where more specific technical assistance is

needed, callers are linked up with subject matter experts. Helpline activities are conducted in cooperation with VDGIF in accordance with WS Policy Guidelines and federal, state, and county laws, regulations and policies. The Farm Bureau of Virginia, Virginia State University and Virginia Tech Extension are partners assisting in the development of outreach and educational materials from information and data gathered from the helpline.

several days. High winds can uncover still-hot embers and start a wildfire. Officials with the Virginia Department of Forestry are alerting homeowners to this potentially serious threat. A few helpful tips: Do keep ashes in a metal container that can be tightly closed with a metal lid. Do not dump loads of wood ashes into one pile. The pile can retain heat and insulate embers for long periods

of time. Do not assume the ashes are cold and pour them onto the ground or into a hole. Leaves can blow onto them or the wind can stir up sparks. Do not place ashes in a dumpster. Hot ashes could ignite a fire with material already in the dumpster. Do not store your metal ash container on your home’s deck, in your garage or in any location that may allow heat to transfer from those hot ashes to nearby flammable items.

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Wednesday

November 27, 2013

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Here in the First World, there’s plenty to be thankful for By Roslyn Ryan Editor

A few months ago, while surfing the Internet, I stumbled upon a website called First World Problems. The idea behind the site, as you might be able to guess from the name, is to lampoon the grumbling and groaning that can be heard from time to time from people who have always enjoyed a life of relative comfort (meaning that they have not had to worry about things like having enough to eat, a warm place to sleep or access to medical care when they needed it). A quick sample of things labeled “First World Problems:” • “I don’t have enough chips for my dip, but if I open another packet of chips, I won’t have enough dip for my chips.” • “The fact that I’m paying money for Hulu+ and I have to watch political campaign ads fills me with despair.” • “I put a Band-Aid on my thumb and now I can only text with one hand.” All of us, no matter who we are or how privileged, get grumpy about minor inconveniences from time to time. But a closer examination usually reveals a hidden gift in even the most irritating of

circumstances. Did you find yourself stuck behind a school bus today? Give thanks for the fact that you live in a country where everyone is entitled to a free education (and bus ride home). Extra long line at the grocery store? Remember there are places in the world where food is scarce.

A closer examination usually reveals a hidden gift in even the most irritating of circumstances. WiFi connection on the blink? Well, we don’t even have to talk about this one. You get the idea. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to celebrate and honor what we have: our families, our homes, our health. But even as we give thanks for our big blessings, it’s nice to remember the smaller ones too. Most of us have it pretty good over here in the First World, after all. And for that we can all be thankful.

Contributed photo

Together again: GHS class of 1953 Contributed Report

Shown in the front row, from the left, are Frances Poore Proffitt, Lela Wash Richmond, Bessie Hicks Layne, Rebecca Norton Fisher and Fred Bryan Parrish. In the back row are Jean Cosner Brunson, Joyce Condrey Pitts, James E. Waldrop, Jr., Paul A. James, Shirley Parrish Burton, Carol Hawk Burton, Graham N. Bowman and William Everett Ware. On Nov. 1, 13 members of the 1953 graduating class of Goochland High School met at Hickory Notch Grill to celebrate their 60th class reunion. Even though there were originally only 36 members in the class, they were

How full is your Thanksgiving table? By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

Editorial & Business Office: 6400 Mechanicsville Tpke. Mechanicsville, VA 23111 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1118 Mechanicsville, VA 23111 Phone – (804) 746-1235 Toll free – (877) 888-0449 Fax – (804) 730-0476

Joy Monopoli Publisher Melody Kinser Managing Editor Roslyn Ryan Editor Mike Schoeffel Sports Writer Stephanie Childrey Sales Representative Online: www.goochlandgazette.com For news: news@goochlandgazette.com For advertising: sales@goochlandgazette.com For classifieds: cgrant@mechlocal.com © 2013 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: 3,500

very active in school activities. Shirley Parrish Burton served as class president and seven members of the class played football on GHS first football team, the Goochland Bulldogs, which they named in 1952. Seventeen members of the class are now deceased: Robert G. Alley, Barbara Carter Hudgins, Carl Fleming Carter, Dorothy Carter Kersey, John R. Carter, Jr., Mavin H. Clements, Mary Conway Singleton, Raymond L. deKozan, Charlie E. Hawk, Jean Mann Mater, Josephine Osmond Wash,Thomas H. Perkins, Freda S. Clements, Cassie Grandstaff Phieffer, Laura Hamner Ladd, Jean Haden Stewart and Evelyn Blackwell Hawk.

The big topic around my house this week of Thanksgiving: food. Well, make that Christmas and food. I guess it’s not so strange that many of our holidays revolve around food or specify a certain kind of food that should be prepared for certain days. For example, the Fourth of July calls for hot dogs and hamburgers.

Easter usually means a big ham at our house. But Thanksgiving and Christmas, they’re turkey days around here, and my kids have already opened the refrigerator a dozen times just to get a gander at the strange bird taking up so much room. When I quizzed them further, I discovered they knew little about the real meaning of Thanksgiving, its history or the important tradition it established in America. Sure, they’ve been drawing

pilgrims and turkeys neatly hidden in their word puzzles or math homework. No doubt, they are well acquainted with the symbols of Thanksgiving. So, it seemed like the perfect teaching moment to enlighten them about giving thanks for the many blessings we enjoy, and taking time to reach out and help those less fortunate, for they too are blessings in our lives. As it turned out, I didn’t know see Table > page 7

Wednesday

November 27, 2013

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Contributed Report

This year, Randolph Elementary School has implemented Kindness Cards. All teachers and staff have cards that say: “You’ve Been Caught Committing a Random Act of Kindness.” The cards are given to students who demonstrate attributes of kindness. The following are the recipients of Kindness Cards for the first marking period: Leah Wooten, Lucas Edwards, Luke Manno, Ava

Contributed photo

much about Thanksgiving either and much of my knowledge was also symbol-based, or revolved around a turkey. Thanksgiving is a catchall phrase that refers to harvest celebrations around the world. In Colonial America, governors or church leaders often issued proclamations of thanksgiving. And many of us associate Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims at Plymouth, but that’s dangerous business in these parts. For not unlike the war on Christmas and Easter, in the minds of some, there’s a war on Thanksgiving, or at least about Thanksgiving. Local boosters in several states, including Virginia, claim rights to the first Thanksgiving, so it’s historically unclear in

tion has evolved in our country to include more than just a thank you for the good crops of the season. And many of us find our Thanksgiving tables filled with much more than food. They are surrounded with hope and love, filled with blessings and packed with the numerous joys this wonderful life offers. A time to reflect? Most definitely. It’s a wonderful opportunity to catalog the uncountable blessings in our lives and to take note of the things in our lives that really matter. I’m not sure how the turkey fits into all of this, but somehow it all works. Here’s wishing you and your family a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving. In between the dressing and football, I hope you’ll join millions of other Americans as they too count our many blessings.

Paone, Vivian Lopez, Kendall Cathy Biggs for her leaderToney, Shaniyah Morris, ship Peyton Tucker, Evelyn Fung, Katie Hadd, Shonta Isaac Bussells, and Connor Jackson, and Katie Gill for Cowan great teamwork In addition, Randolph Selling a House in mond’s Home Elementary School recognizes 23238, 23103, faculty and staff for the things pecialist! or 23039? they do. The following staff members have been recogmy NowLettaking nized by their colleagues as expertise go to listings for “Top Bananas” for the first work for you! the2012! Spring! marking period: Kim Austin for her flexibilStevie Watson ity and great attitude 754-4551

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Family and Cosmeti e c Dentistry Biological Dentistry

Fourth graders at Randolph Elementary School recently presented a wax museum as a collaborative effort with other students for Book Character Day. Dr. Stephen Geyer, Goochland County Public Schools assistant superintendent of Instruction, meets “Steve Jobs.”

my mind whether it was at Berkeley on the James or Plymouth Rock . . . or somewhere else. Giving thanks for bountiful harvests is a ritual carried out since the earliest days of man, sometimes not in the kindest of fashions. Following the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln officially recognized the holiday and denoted its date of celebration as the last Thursday in November. But, Southerners, still smarting over the war, refused to recognize Lincoln’s date until well after Reconstruction. President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially changed it to the fourth Thursday in November in 1941 in an effort to boost the American economy. The history of the holiday seems fairly sterile, but the thought behind such a celebra-

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County elementary school teachers earn ‘Kindness Cards’

Steve, is that you?

Table

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Wednesday

November 27, 2013

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

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Jim Palazzo, left, Mark Vasas, Scott Kraner, Diane Campbell, Bev DeSchon, Mike Berry and Dave Schans from Performance Food Group recently handed out more than 150 turkeys and hams to nearly 170 Goochland families in need.

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Celebrating at Christmas

Thanksgiving comes early for Goochland residents in need Contributed Report

Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services (GFCFS) kicked off the holiday season for its clients. Performance Food Group (PFG), a local foodservice distributor, donated over 150 turkeys and hams which were handed out to nearly 170 Goochland families in need. Also distributed were bags of food and Thanksgiving trimmings, which were gener-

ously donated from numerous food drives by Goochland churches, Goochland County Administration, and other local businesses plus additional support from Goochland County Parks, Recreation & Facilities and Heart of Virginia Boy Scouts. Over 20 volunteers from PFG, GFCFS, and the community braved the cool November day to hand out food while the Virginia House/Goochland

Powhatan Community Services provided soup and coffee. “We would like to thank PFG and the Goochland community for providing so many Thanksgiving dinners this holiday season to families,” executive director of GFCFS Sally Graham said. “It means so much to the families to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving together and to enjoy the spirit of the holiday.” “We are so glad that we can help brighten the Thanksgiving holiday for deserving families in our community,” PFG Sr. Product Manager Beverly DeSchon said. “GFCFS Food Pantry is open and accepting food donations throughout the holiday season and beyond as well as collection boxes available at Goochland YMCA,

Go-Go Yogurt, Frida’s Mexican Restaurant, Curves Goochland, and the Farm Bureau Insurance office in Goochland. The mission of the Goochland Free Clinic & Family Services is to provide access to health care and basic human services to Goochland residents in need. GFCFS is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation supported by individuals, churches, corporations, grants, and businesses. GFCFS operates two major areas of service — health care and family services — to assist individuals and families back on their feet. Services include a medical clinic, a dental clinic, a food pantry, clothes, emergency home repair, and much more. For more information, visit www.goochlandfreeclinicandfamilyservices.org.

Wednesday

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

November 27, 2013

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Program galvanizes fourth graders to assist others By Korey Hughes Contributing Writer

It might seem inconceivable that a group of school children could bring about noticeable change in society, but an ongoing leadership project involving students at Goochland Elementary School has proved that kids’ community efforts can bring about big results. Act 4 Others is an outreach project that teaches leadership skills to the abovementioned youngsters to show them that there are ways that they can make a difference by helping others. The project is the brainchild of Joe Beasley, a fourth grade teacher at Goochland Elementary School, who has motivated the students in his class to ponder real problems that affect Goochland

residents. “It’s a leadership group,” Beasley said. “It’s all about the idea of bringing about change in our community, becoming leaders and making a difference in Goochland.” Beasley’s Act 4 Others was inspired by a charity called Act 4 that the teacher worked for when he lived in London, England from 2009 to 2010. A Christian-based theater group, the original Act 4 visited local schools in London, and Beasley said that he wanted to bring that organization’s spirit back with him when he returned to the United States. “I volunteered for a charity called Act 4, which was a theater charity, that aimed to teach leadership skills to students and help the environment,” Beasley said.

“So, after I came back and became a teacher, I decided to start up something similar here.” But, when he was asked why he thinks that the domestic Act 4 Others concept caught on so quickly with the group of fourth graders in his class, he said it’s because they can see immediate results from their efforts. “I think the kids like it because they’ve never had that experience before,” Beasley said. “In Goochland County, you don’t often see youth helping in the community.” “But, it’s something easy that they can do. And, it’s something simple that they can do that might not take a long time, but it makes a big difference in the long run.” The clothing collection drive that the students

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recently organized to benefit the Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services Clothes Closet is one example of their efforts that immediately bore fruit. The class took a field trip to the Clothes Closet to see how it operates. After that experience, the students were roused to respond to the organization’s need for more gently used clothing. The students made posters to tell others that they were collecting articles of

clothing for needy local families. They also asked their classmates, families and neighbors if they wanted to donate clothes that they didn’t wear anymore. As the weeks passed, the pieces of clothing, which Beasley said gathered until they took up substantial space in the classroom, proved that the youngsters’ efforts paid off. “I kept all the clothing items in my classroom, and they saw it there, piling up,”

Beasley said. “Just seeing the people from the Clothes Closet come in to pick up the clothes was a big thing for them, and they were so amazed.” “But, they liked knowing that they made a difference in someone’s life,” Beasley added. Currently, the children are amassing items for two holiday-themed charitable efforts. They want to collect see Act 4 Others > page 10

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Wednesday

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

November 27, 2013

Baby's First Christmas Photographs of area babies who are celebrating their first Christmas will appear in the newspaper

Thursday, December 19

This Christmas, a special page of the Classified section of The Goochland Gazette will be devoted to pictures of area babies who are celebrating their first Christmas. You may purchase a spot for your baby’s photograph on the page for only $2500. Please send us a wallet-size photograph of your baby before Thursday, December 12, 2013. We will be sure he or she is included on the “Baby’s First Christmas” page which will be published in the newspaper on Thursday, December 19, 2013, and appear on www.goochlandgazette.com. Please write your name on the back of your baby’s photograph and enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope so we can return the photo to you.

continued from > page 1 “My mom made all the food,” said Ariana Page, 9. “My sister Amelita and I made the potholders. Her mom Barbara said the family used to raise goats, chickens and geese in Goochland. “We thought we’d have a

“I am just enthralled with it. I mean these kids have worked so hard.” Baby’s Name D.O.B. Parents’ Name Grandparents’ Name

All Photos Must Be Received by Thursday, December 12, 2013 Mail the coupon below, your baby’s photo, SASE and your payment to Baby’s First Christmas, c/o The Goochland Gazette P.O. Box 1118 Mechanicsville, VA. 23111 Baby’s Name _____________________________________________ Parent’s Name(s) _________________________________________ Grandparents’ Name(s)____________________________________ Date of Birth_____________________________________________ Please print the names as you wish them to appear in the newspaper. All professionally taken photographs must contain the name of the photography studio for photo credits______________________________________

Name_____________________________Home Phone ___________ Address ________________________________________________ City/State/Zip ________________ Daytime Phone _____________ ■ Check Enclosed ■ MASTERCARD / VISA

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Advertise In The Goochland Gazette! Call 804-746-1235

GFCFS clinic manager Linda Bowles, R.N. farmers market in one classroom and this is what it turned into, a one classroom project to a whole school project,” said Zoe Parrish, Goochland Instructional

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Technology Resource Teacher, who taught at Byrd before taking her current position. Byrd School Resource Teacher Glenda Hawk said the next day that the market had raised more than $2,200 for GFCFS. “Our theme at Byrd this year is Growing Great Citizens Locally and Globally. This fall Farmer’s Market gave our students a chance to donate to a local organization to help others. We are planning a spring market to donate money globally — to help a school in Africa,” said Hawk. The market opened at 5:30 p.m. and continued until 7:00 p.m., but the response was so great that some vendors sold out early. Robert McCormick said his family had sold most of the items they brought by a little after 6 p.m. “We’re trying to teach them to give to a cause,” said McCormick, who was accompanied by the whole

Act 4 Others

family, his wife Jamie, daughter Haley, 11, a student at Byrd and 3-year-old Ryan. “I am just enthralled with it,” said GFCFS Clinic Manager Linda Bowles, R.N. “I mean these kids have worked so hard.” Bowles said her organization emphasized good family relationships. She praised the parent-child character of the effort at the farmers market. “There are as many dads as there are moms here,” noted Bowles. Bowles also contributed personally to the fundraising by buying out one vendor’s entire stock of applesauce, she said! Byrd Principal James Hopkins was pleased by the turnout. “It’s awesome,” said Hopkins. “The turnout far exceeded our expectations.” “We didn’t know what to expect,” echoed a pleasantly surprised Hawk. “We just knew we had more than 30 vendors signed up.”

200 pounds of food for local tion, and with an aggresfood banks and 100 toys for sive marketing campaign in continued from > page 9 the Toys for Tots organizaplace, they just might reach their goals. “We started last week, and they put up signs in the hallways and made commercials for the teachers’ online blogs,” Beasley said. “I mean, they’re not going to go out and call people, but they’ll talk to their parents and friends.” at the corner of To donate to either of Patterson & Pump! Act 4 Others’ current char10607 Patterson Ave. ity drives, interested parties can drop off non-per6021 W. Broad St. ishable food items and 5100 Midlothian Turnpike new unwrapped toys at Goochland Elementary taboolicious.com School at 3510 River Road 10,000+ DVDS, TOYS, LINGERIE, GIFTS West in Goochland.

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Wednesday

November 27, 2013

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

Another Bulldog blowout Jim Ridolphi Special Correspondent

The Wilson Memorials Green Hornets had revenge on their minds when the Goochland Bulldogs arrived at the Hive last week for a 2A East Conference playoff game. For the past two years, the Bulldogs have ended the home standing Hornets’ season. But, Hornet fans thought it might be different this year. And, why not? Wilson entered last week’s contest as the favorite, sporting a 10-2 record and a potent running game. All of that didn’t matter as a determined, still improving group of Bulldogs played their best game of the season and recorded a focused and disciplined, never in question victory over the Hornets, 32-14. “I told my team whoever had the least amount of mistakes would win this game They didn’t have many mistakes and we did, and we gave up the big play,” Hornet Jeremiah Major said after the game. The Bulldogs took the opening kickoff and scored a statement touchdown on their first possession when Jordan Jefferson scampered 25 yards,

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GHS eliminates Wilson Memorial in postseason for third straight season

Photo by Jim Ridolphi

Goochland runningback David Dyer (7) powers through a tackle during a second round playoff game at Wilson Memorial. The Bulldogs won the game 32-14.

giving Goochland a 7-0 lead. “We talk about setting the tone. We didn’t do that early and it came back to haunt us all night,” Major said. As an encore, Jefferson picked a Mack Cullen pass on

the ensuing drive. He promptly hit Cephas Harden for a long gainer, and David Dyer finished off the final 11 yards for a 13-0 lead, early in the second quarter. Cullen scored on a one-yard

keeper following Dyer’s score, but Conner Saunders quickly answered with a 69 yard catch and run off a Jefferson screen and the Bulldogs were up 197. Hornet running Savant

Swift scored from 21 yards out shortly before the half to draw the Hornets as close as they would get at 19-14. With a fired up Hornet squad set to receive the second half kickoff, the burden fell on

Goochland’s defense to squelch that fire, and they did. After shutting down the Hornets on their initial possession, the Dawg defense wasn’t fooled on a fake punt from the Hornets, stopping running back Juh-kwquan McCauley well short of the mark to make and taking over on the Wilson 30-yard line. “To stop them on that drive and then come up big on that fake punt, that was huge for us. It was a great effort by our defense,” said Goochland coach Joe Fowler. Joe Cutchins pulled in a 25yard pass to set up a score by Jefferson a 15-yard run to give the Bulldogs a 25-14 lead early in the third period. The next possession was Wilson’s last and best hope, but it ended when the Bulldog defense again snarled and again stopped the Hornets on fourth down from the 15-yard line. Saunders added his second score late in the contest on a 36-yard run, but it was the defense who got the kudos following the win, shutting out the Hornets in the second half and effectively ending their season. “They really stepped up and see Bulldogs > page 12

Collegiate field hockey captures second consecutive state title Mike Schoeffel Sports Writer

For the second straight year, Collegiate has defeated St. Catherine’s by a score of 1-0 in the VISAA state championship game. “It was a defense-oriented game, to say the least,” said head coach Karen Doxey, who is also Collegiate’s athletic

director. “I’m incredibly proud of the way the girls competed.” Last season, the two teams advanced to penalty strokes before the Cougars pulled it out by a single goal. This year, the teams finished regulation in a scoreless tie, bringing about a full 10-minute overtime period. During the regular season, the extra period would have been of the sudden

death variety. But during the playoffs, it switched to a full 10-minute format. According to coach Doxey, the Cougars scored approximately four minutes into the period and then voraciously defended their advantage over the final six minutes. “It was intense,” said Doxey. “But the girls were able to pull it off.”

To reach the championship bout with St. Catherine’s, Collegiate (17-5) had to take down Norfolk Academy in the state quarterfinal and Trinity in the state semifinal. They succeeded on both fronts, winning each game 1-0. They lost two out of three in late September and early October, but went 10-2 over their last 12 games to secure their second straight

state championship. St. Catherine’s playoff road to the championship bout, on the other hand, wasn’t nearly as stressful. They shut out Potomac School 3-0 at home in the quarterfinal and breezed past St. Anne’s-Belfield on the road in the state semifinals. The Saints final record was 20-3. They lost back-to-back games to Norfolk Academy

and First Colonial on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19, then ran the table until losing to Collegiate in the final. Head coach Don Warner will lose 14 seniors to graduation. Coach Doxey will lose five senior starters to graduation, all of whom will be comsee Collegiate > page 12

Wednesday

November 27, 2013

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

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Preview: Goochland vs. Riverheads Program History Riverheads High School has been one of the most — possibly the most — successful teams in Group A over the last decade and a half. They competed in Division 1, the lowest division under the old alignment system, until 2011, reaching the playoffs 11 times in 12 years and winning two state championships (2000 and 2006). They continued that dominance after making the transition to Division 2, reaching the state semifinals in 2011 and regional semifinal in 2012. The Riverheads offense wasn’t particularly explosive during the early 2000s, but that all changed at the turn of the decade. Since the the turn of the decade, they’ve averaged 43 points per game while scoring 45 points or more 23 times. And it’s not as though they’ve been competing against bottom of the barrel competition: the Shenandoah District has sent at least five teams to the postseason each of the last three seasons. Photo by Jim Ridolphi

Goochland ballcarrier Jaylen Allen (8) tries to break free from Hunter Carr’s tackle.

Bulldogs continued from > page 11 played physical in the second half. It was a physical game, but we gave as good as we took,” Goochland coach Joe Fowler said after the contest that sets up a match up with Riverheads next week. This was an absolute war. They are a very physical football team,” Fowler said. “I’m

so proud of these kids.” Fowler is expecting another battle next week when the Bulldogs again travel further west on I-64 to take on Staunton’s Riverheads, a school with a strong tradition known for its physical game. “Riverheads is a powerhouse program with a ton of tradition and those kids take pride in what they do, especially at their place,” Fowler

next season. Dodi Allocca (Davidson), Brooks Doxey continued from > page 11 (Wake Forest), and Libba peting at the collegiate level Wharton (Appalachian State) will be playing field hockey

Collegiate

said. Prepping for their third playoff game, Fowler said there’s still room for improvement on a team that is upping its game at exactly the right time of the year. “We’ll use this week to improve. We’re going to go home and get healthy, come back up here to the mountains next week and play great.”

at their respective schools, while Sidney Cardozo (Notre Dame) and Campbell Brewer (Dartmouth) will be playing lacrosse.

2013 season Only three teams on Riverheads’ schedule have given them any sort of trouble the season: East Rockingham

(a team Goochland demolished in the first round of the postseason), Stuart’s Draft and Wilson Memorial. An Oct. 18 match-up with Wilson Memorial — the “Civil War,” as it’s referred to around Fisherville - resulted in the Gladiators only loss of 2013. The remaining eight games have been decided by two touchdowns or more. So, perhaps needless to say, the Gladiators will give the Bulldogs their most difficult test of the season. Which is to be expected, seeing as we’re moving deeper and deeper in the postseason and the cream, as it were, is steadily rising to the top. The Gladiators pride themselves on an indomitable rushing attack, which put up 400-plus yards last week in a 48-13 thrashing of Williamsburg-based Bruton High School. Riverheads’ running game is as dynamic as it is prolific: five different running backs — Cole Smiley, Michael Herndon, Lance Diehl, Chance Staton and Ben Agnor — found pay dirt on the night. And if those two facts alone aren’t enough to instill a sense of dread, consider that Herndon is a 315-pound, University of Pittsburghbound offensive lineman

that Riverheads head coach Robert Castro puts at fullback in short yardage situations. The big guy finished with two touchdowns last week, so it’s safe to say he’s probably the only 315-pounder with multiple rushing touchdowns in the VHSL this year.

Prediction Goochland and Riverheads are very similar teams, as both rely heavily on the run for offensive production and have used their respective running games to demolish opponents in the postseason. Neither team has allowed any of their postseason opponents to come within 18 points of a victory. Goochland’s thorough 32-14 dismantling of Wilson Memorial — a Riverheads rival that beat the Gladiators by 11 this season — is perhaps the most surprising and impressive result this playoff year, and it proves that the Bulldogs are locked and loaded for yet another state title. They’ll be riding high off of that victory and trip into Riverheads won’t intimidate them in the least. In a battle of two teams possessing oodles of confidence, Goochland takes it 31-21. — Mike Schoeffel

Corbyn Jackson signs with Radford University Goochland native Corbyn Jackson, a 6-foot-7 forward who now plays for Fork Union Military Academy, signed a letter of intent with Radford University last week. The 240-pound power forward is averaging 15 points a game with 10 rebounds, three games in to FUMA’s 2013 season. Photo by Jim Ridolphi

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