10/19/2017 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Upcoming program will help area families hold on to their forestland > page 10

Volume 62, Number 42 • October 19, 2017

Gum Spring’s annual Pumpkin Patch now open. See page 9

Dormitory a welcome change for volunteers

It’s a bird, it’s a potato, it’s ... both?

County’s Company 4 firehouse finally has a dedicated sleeping area By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Volunteers with Goochland’s Company 4 Fire Department are sleeping a little easier this week — literally. On Sunday, Oct. 8, volunteers and guests officially dedicated the newly renovated Company 4 facility, the last station in the county that did not have a dedicated place for volunteers to sleep. The recent — and, as many might say, long overdue — overhaul added sleeping accommodations for eight volunteers, as well as renovated kitchen, bathroom and shower facilities. The building’s inefficient septic system was also updated. According to Goochland Fire-Rescue Chief Bill MacKay, the project was ultimately undertaken to ensure the safety of the volunteers, some of whom drive long distances to cover their shifts. Not only will it offer them a place to sleep, MacKay said, but it will eliminate the need for those manning the station to drive back and forth during significant weather events. The firehouse, located at 2397 HadensvilleFife Road, had served as a school until being converted into a two-bay station in the mid1950s. see Company 4 > 4

Photo by Roslyn Ryan

Call it an Oc-tuber Surprise. Or Ducktato. Whatever you prefer to name this unique spud, you have Goochland County Sheriff Jim Agnew to thank for it: it came from his garden. Agnew said he knew he would probably take some ribbing for cultivating this curiosity, but he insisted that he didn’t mind: “I can take it,” he said.

Goochland native ‘Keeping It Real’ Noted speaker and author Shirley T. Burke will visit Chamber’s Expo today By Roslyn Ryan Editor

If everyone has a mission in life, Goochland native Shirley T. Burke knows exactly what hers is.

“I was born to let people know they matter,” says Burke, a motivational speaker and author who has led workshops on building confidence and self esteem for 25 years. Burke, who will celebrate the official launch of her recent book, “Shirley T’s: Keeping it Real,” with a book signing at the Goochland Expo on Oct. 19 (see box), has gained a world-wide fan base through her syndicated columns, radio programs and see Burke > 2

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October 19, 2017

Burke continued from > 1 television appearances. “I describe myself as a confidence coach,” says Burke. “I really feel like I’ve been sent to be a professional encourager.” In addition to her speaking engagements, she also works one-on-one with clients as a coach. While it may surprise some to hear it, Burke insists she doesn’t believe in trying to motivate people. What she does, she explains, is “push the follow through buttons,” urging the people she works with to accept that they are accountable for their own actions. If Burke has found a calling in connecting with others during their moments of doubt and struggle, it may be because she herself has faced devastation and loss. In 1969, the day after los-

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ing a beloved half-sister, Burke lost her four-year old son and nephew in a tragic river accident. The pain was crushing, Burke says, but it would also serve as a window into the suffering of others she would meet during her career working for various government agencies, including the Virginia Department of Corrections, the Department of Environmental Quality, and the Department of General Services. Asked if she had ever thought twice about including her own personal tragedies in her books and in the talks she gives, Burke said no. At the end of the day, “I think it was critical to tell those stories, because it’s so important to who I am,” Burke says. “I am about keeping it real, and you need to put the pain on the page.” Likewise, Burke encourages her to understand that fear or uncertainty is not always a sign that they are headed in the wrong direction. It’s a lesson she’s learned for herself many times, Burke says, particularly as she’s established her own successful career. “It’s ok to have butterflies,” Burke says. “You just have to make sure they are flying in formation.” The 2017 Goochland Expo will be held from 5 – 8 p.m. today, Oct. 19, at the Heart of Virginia Scout Camp, located at 1723 Maidens Road. For more information, contact the Goochland Chamber at (804) 556-3811.

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Pets of the week

INSIDE

Pie isn’t only use for pumpkin anymore PAGE 18

SPORTS Photos submitted by Julie Lawrence

The Goochland Animal Shelter, located at 1900 Hidden Rock Lane in Goochland, has the following pets available to a good home: a neutered, grey and white female pitbull;, about 3 years old a neutered male hound, about 4 to 6 years old; and a neutered male hound about 10 to 12 months old. The Goochland Animal Shelter is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The facility has many lost dog and cat fliers posted. 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. You also can visit the shelter on Facebook at “Goochland County Animal Control.”

INCIDENTS AND REPORTS The following is a selection of recent calls to the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office.

October 10

5200 BLOCK OF COMMUNITY HOUSE RD/HADENSVILLE FIFE RD, DAMAGE PROPERTY

LN, SHOTS FIRED

POUNCEY TRACT/NUCKOLS RD, TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WITH INJURY

2200 BLOCK OF RIVER RD W/ MANAKIN RD, DUI

4000 BLOCK OF CEDAR PLAINS RD, HARASSMENT

900 BLOCK OF RIVER RD W/ MILLERS LN, RECKLESS DRIVING

3100 BLOCK OF BROAD STREET RD/SANDY HOOK RD, RECKLESS DRIVING

October 12

2300 BLOCK OF HADENSVILLE FIFE RD, ARREST WARRANT

2300 BLOCK OF ROCKVILLE RD, LARCENY

2700 BLOCK OF FAIRGROUND RD/SANDY HOOK RD, RECKLESS DRIVING

2600 BLOCK OF SANDY HOOK RD, ARREST WARRANT

3100 BLOCK OF SANDY HOOK RD, ARREST WARRANT

1900 BLOCK OF SANDY HOOK RD, LARCENY

October 14

October 11

11000 BLOCK OF PARK FOREST WAY, SMOKE INVESTIGATION

700 BLOCK OF BIG WOODS PL, BURGLARY

2400 BLOCK OF LAUDERDALE, LARCENY FROM VEHICLE

550 BLOCK OF JOE BROOKE CT, ASSAULT

3200 BLOCK OF SANDY HOOK RD/OWENS CREEK, DUI

2900 BLOCK OF RIVER RD W, RAPE

2200 BLOCK OF OILVILLE RD/ BROAD STREET RD, DUI

2900 BLOCK OF RIVER RD W, FRAUD OR SWINDLE

4900 BLOCK OF PENNY LANE, FRAUD OR SWINDLE

2300 BLOCK OF FAIRGROUND RD/MAIDENS RD, RECKLESS DRIVING

2400 BLOCK OF HADENSVILLE FIFE RD/DAVIS MILL RD, PROMISCUOUS SHOOTING

1500 BLOCK OF HOCKETT RD, SUSPECTED RABIES

1300 BLOCK OF MAIDENS RD, RECKLESS DRIVING

2200 BLOCK OF OILVILLE RD, TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WITH INJURY

2500 BLOCK OF CHAPEL HILL RD, HARASSMENT

2000 BLOCK OF BLK SHALLOW WELL RD, PROMISCUOUS SHOOTING

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3800 BLOCK OF FACTORY MILL RD, RECKLESS DRIVING 2300 BLOCK OF TWIN CREEKS

October 13

4900 BLOCK OF SULKY DR, ARREST WARRANT

October 15

5200 BLOCK OF OLD COLUMBIA RD, INTOXICATION

4500 BLOCK OF SHANNON FOREST LN, SMOKE INSIDE STRUCTURE

Carter, Bulldogs rumble past Bluestone 58-18 PAGE 11 Calendar ................................ 4 Classifieds ......................16-17 Letters .................................... 6 Opinion .................................. 6 Sheriff’s Report...................... 2 Sports .............................11-12 TV Listings ......................13-15

CONTACT US Toll Free - (877) 888-0449 Office - (804) 746-1235 Joy Monopoli Publisher (804) 775-4614 Fax: (804) 819-5529 Melody Kinser Managing Editor (804) 775-4622 Fax: (804) 730-0476 Roslyn Ryan Editor (804) 339-7956 Billy Fellin Sports Writer (804) 598-4305 Fax: (804) 598-7757 Cindy Adams Classifieds (804) 775-4616 Fax: (804) 730-0476

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October 19, 2017

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New wellness provider open in Westgate

Mount Gilead Baptist Church Fall Festival - Free Event Saturday October 28, 2017 2:00 PM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6:00 PM

There will be many activities including: Bluegrass/Gospel Music by The Willow Creek Band, Michael D and Scotty Ventriloquist Magician, Animal Balloons, Games, Popcorn, Cake Walk, Hadensville Fire Truck, Food, Brunswick Stew, Chili Cook Off, a Slide Bounceable, Hayrides, Vendors and More! We will also have a Silent Auction to benefit Mount Gilead Preschool.

Come and bring your family, friends and neighbors for an evening of fun and fellowship for everyone! See you there! 620996-01

Contributed photo

The Goochland County Chamber of Commerce recently held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at DWH Health & Wellness Med Spa in the Shoppes at Westgate. For more information on Goochland County Chamber of Commerce and the businesses they support, visit their website at www.goochlandchamber.org or pick up the 2017 Goochland Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory and Business Guide.

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Community Calender Thursday, Oct. 19 Storytimes at the Goochland Branch Library are as follows: Toddler Storytime at 10 a.m.; Preschool Storytime at 10:45 a.m.; and Mother Goose Storytime at 11:30 a.m. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information. Friday, Oct. 20 Family Storytimes at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library are held every Friday at 10:30 a.m. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information.

will host Weaving for Beginners at from 1 – 3 p.m. for children ages 18 and up. Celeste Johnson will show participants the basics of weaving at this two-day workshop. The next session will be held Saturday, Oct. 28. Materials will be provided and refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information. The Cochrane Rockville Branch Library will be hosting the Make a Splash with Water Science! program from 11 a.m. to noon for children ages 3-10. Participants will enjoy getting hands-on with a variety of water-based activities and science experiements at this fun and educational program. Snacks will be provided by the Friends of the Rockville Library. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information.

The Cochrane Rockville Branch Library will be hosting Read 2 Rover from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. This program provides comfort and motivation for beginning readers as they read aloud to therapy dogs. Call or visit the library for more information or to register for this rewarding program. Call (804) 749-3146 for more inforCrafters wanted for the 27th mation. Annual Short Pump Ruritan Club Craft Show on. This show will be held inside of Short Pump Middle School, Saturday, Oct. 21 at 4701 Pouncey Tract Road in Glen The Goochland Democratic Allen. For more information, or to get Committee will hold its monthly an application, call (804) 387-6804 or meeting from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the email suebzink@aol.com. Goochland Library, 3075 River Rd. West, Goochland, with opportunities Sunday, Oct. 22 to volunteer following the meeting. Ryant Washington, former sheriff of Fauquier Baptist Church will Fluvanna County and candidate for be hosting its Annual Missionary the 22d District State Senate Seat in Day/ Baptist General Convention January 2017, will be the guest speak- of Virginia Women’s Ministry at 11 er. Refreshments will be provided. For a.m. at the church, located at 2455 more information call Jenifer Strozier Dogtown Rd in Goochland. The guest at 804-928-2883 speaker will be Rev.Karen E. Harden, Pastor of Life Changing Ministries The Goochland Branch Library International in Goochland, and the Kitchens/Baths Patios/Decks New Construction Doors/Windows Sidewalks/Pavers Remodels/Additions 20 Years Carpentry Experience

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theme will be “Prayer for Unity In the Body of Christ,” (I Corinthians 12:1). Music will be provided by Fauquier Baptist Church Gospel Chorus under the direction of Elder Kenyatt Smither. All women are asked to wear white.

will hold its first planning committee meeting for the 2017 event at at 6:30 p.m. at Providence Presbyterian Church, located at 3388 Three Chopt Road in Gum Spring. Committee members, team captains and anyone interested in volunteering this year are encouraged to attend. For Fauquier Baptist Church will be more information, visit www.relayhosting the 23rd Annual Jerry A. Allen forlife.org/goochlandVA. Memorial Education and Scholarship Thursday, Oct. 26 Service at 3 p.m. at the church, located The Goochland Tea Party will at 2455 Dogtown Rd in Goochland. The guest speaker will be Rev. Kaiya present National American Family Jennings, the first female director of Radio Talk Show Host, Sand Rios Youth & Young Adults Ministries for at 7 p.m., at Goochland High the Baptist General Convention School. The group will also hear from of Virginia, and her theme will be Congressman Dave Brat, Delegate Lee “Creating a Positive Image for our Ware and Republican candidate John Youth.” The God’s Children choir McGuire. All are invited to attend. of County Line Baptist Church, feaThe Goochland Branch Chapter turing Alice Houchens, will be proof the NAACP will be hostviding the music. ing a Candidate Forum entitled Beulah Baptist Church in Kents “Navigating in Perilous Times,” preStore will be hosting a Singspiration senting the candidates seeking office starting at 5:30 p.m. This event will for legislative representation in the be a time of fellowship and sharing of 56th and the 65th districts. The talents, including singing, instrument forum will be held from 7 – 9 p.m.at playing and scripture reading. The the Goochland Recreational Center, community is welcome to attend and located at 2415 Sandy Hook Road. join in. Call (434) 589-2245 for more During this event, all party representatives will have the opportunity information. to speak and address the audience. Gum Spring United Methodist The moderator for the evening will Church, located at 191 Cross County be Mr. Sekou Shabaka. All candiRd in Gum Spring, will host a Trunk dates from all parties seeking the 7th or Treat Family Event from 5:30-7 p.m. District Congressional seat in 2018 Participants will enjoy candy, the pump- will be given the opportunity to preskin patch, costumes, baked goods, hot ent their platform during the last dog dinners, a Halloween movie, and 45 minutes. For further informamore! The best trunk will win the cov- tion about this event, contact Mrs. Yvette McDermott Thomas, Political eted Golden Pumpkin award. Action Chairman, at (804) 445-4633 or Mrs. F. Elaine Wadkins, Education Wednesday, Oct. 25 Committee, Chairman, at (804) Relay For Life of Goochland 457-4059. Light refreshments will be

Company 4 continued from > 1 Several renovations followed, including the addition of two more bays in the 1980s, but it was decided several years ago that the building was simply no longer able

to meet the needs of current volunteers. Funding for the renovation came by way of a $103,200 loan from the county, which the Board of Supervisors approved in March of 2015. The non-interest, 15-year loan, which included $85,000

served afterward. Storytimes at the Goochland Branch Library are as follows: Toddler Storytime at 10 a.m.; Preschool Storytime at 10:45 a.m.; and Mother Goose Storytime at 11:30 a.m. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information. Friday, Oct. 27 Family Storytimes at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library are held every Friday at 10:30 a.m. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information. Saturday, Oct. 28 Crozier Co 2 Fire Auxiliary will have its 11th annual Brunswick Stew and Bake sale, and donations are gratefully accepted. For tickets, send a check for $8 per quart made out to “Crozier Co. 2 Auxiliary” to Auxiliary President Ann Casey at 1447 Cardwell Rd. Crozier, VA 23039, and tickets will be mailed back to you. The Goochland Branch Library will host Weaving for Beginners at from 1 – 3 p.m. for children ages 18 and up. Celeste Johnson will show participants the basics of weaving at this two-day workshop. Materials and refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information. Sunday, October 29 The Gospel Truth from Sixth

from the general fund balance and $18,200 in available real estate tax revenues, supplemented additional funds from a loan of $111,800 made by the Goochland Fire-Rescue Association. The Building Committee members who worked to

see Calendar > 15

make the renovation possible are Ken Brown, Venna Brown, Dean Dunn, Brenda Stephens, Charlie Stephens, Faye Mann, Fred Hemhauser, Willie Dabney, Jessie Proffitt, David Grove, Rodger Nelson, Stuart Dalton, and Pamm Bryant.

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Person of Interest Michael Caudill Goochland Resident Commonwealthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attorney

ecoming enamored of his TV hero, Jim Reed, in the 1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hit TV series â&#x20AC;&#x153;Adam 12,â&#x20AC;? ten year old Michael knew he wanted to be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;cop,â&#x20AC;? just like Reed. His wish was granted in 1979, when Henrico County hired a skinny 21 year old kid (with no law enforcement experience) and after six months training with the Basic Academy, added him to their ranks as a Patrol Officer. Later, always ready for advancement, Caudill was awarded a Law Degree from the University of Richmond, (after studying under such highly regarded professors as Hamilton Bryson) and began work as Orange Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Assistant Commonwealth Attorney. Still later, Caudill accepted the position of Goochlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Deputy Commonwealth Attorney. In November, 2016, he was elected to the posi-

tion as Goochland Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Commonwealth Attorney. Throughout a very active life, Caudill has been blessed with having the loving support of Elizabeth, his charming wife, and daughter Madison and son Reid. Deeply concerned about the danger of opiates, throughout the country, Caudillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office is co-sponsoring a free film documentary, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chasing the Dragon,â&#x20AC;? at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct.25, in the Goochland High School Auditorium. The speaker, Addiction Medicine specialist Dr. Mishka Terplan fro, VCU Health, will present a talk entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Addiction: What brain science can tell us about prevention and treatment.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Frank Wentzel Do you have someone you would like us to feature in our Person of Interest column? Contact editor Roslyn Ryan at (804) 339-7956 or rryan@ goochlandgazette.com.

Volunteersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; shirts honor Dickson This month, Goochlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fire and rescue volunteers are once again sporting special t-shirts in honor of Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designation as Breast Cancer

Awareness Month. It isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the first time the volunteers have done this, but this year does feature one extra special touch: printed of the sleeve of each shirt

is the name â&#x20AC;&#x153;Becky Dickson,â&#x20AC;? in honor of the former Goochland County Administrator who passed away in 2016 after a valiant fight against the disease.

Crozier Auxiliary hosting stew sale Minter serving as Stew Master Contributed report

The Auxiliary at Crozier Company 2 is preparing for its 11th annual stew fundraiser, and the famous Stew Master, Lloyd Minter, has once again agreed to make his delicious Brunswick Stew. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brunswick Stew and Bake Sale will be held on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Fire House of Company 2 on River Road behind the Crozier Post Office. Those who would like to contribute to the bake sale are gratefully encouraged to do so (baked items can be dropped off at the fire house

on Friday, Oct. 27). The Bake sale starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and will feature plenty of pies, cakes, breads and cookies to choose from. Tickets for the Stew must be purchased in advance, and the Stew cannot be picked up before 1 p.m. Tickets are

available from any Auxiliary member, or those wishing to purchase stew may send a check for $8 per quart made out to Crozier Co. 2 Auxiliary to Auxiliary President Ann Casey at 1447 Cardwell Rd. Crozier VA 23039. Tickets will be sent by return mail.

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OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

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Are we divided? Not when it matters most After flood, By Roslyn Ryan Editor

The other day, just for kicks, I decided to look back through some of the photos I’ve taken over the years while working at the Gazette and for other community newspapers. I do this every once in a while, and I never tire of it —it’s a pleasant journey back in a time featuring a lot of happy people cutting ribbons, scoring touchdowns and proudly holding giant homegrown vegetables. Of course, as you might imagine, not all of the photos are joyful ones. While we try never to miss an opportunity to highlight the wonderful things happening in our community, there are inevitably

stories that we wish we didn’t have to report. As I scrolled through the photos that afternoon, I happened to stop on one that I had almost forgotten about. It was taken on a crisp fall morning, typical in just about every way, as I drove from my home to the newspaper office just a few minutes away. As I approached a busy intersection that day, I noticed that there were cars already beginning to back up and a strange haze in the air. It wasn’t until I got closer, however, that my heart sank: There in the road was what moments earlier had been someone’s vehicle —now it was a smoking pile of wreckage. Off to the side was another smashed car, this one with a completely destroyed passenger side.

Miraculously, there were no fatalities due to that crash, and I will save you the gory details. But because I happened to be working on a story about that exact intersection — and the county’s efforts to fix it— I decided to get some photos. The shots I took that day never fail to put me right back in that moment the way the air smelled, the shock on the faces of the victims, the skill and professionalism of the EMTs, police and firefighters who responded but these days I find myself noticing something else as well. Pictured there, in those 30 or so photos, are the ordinary people passing by who rushed to help even before rescue crews had arrived. There was the corrections officer who rescued an infant from

the back seat of one of the vehicles, and the anonymous woman who comforted one of the drivers. They were men and women, black and white, some dressed in suits and others dressed for a day of tough physical work. Looking at those shots today, I am reminded that, while there are certainly divisions among us, we as Americans are not a divided people. All one must do is look to Las Vegas, or Houston, or any place where people are in need, and you will find Americans or every color and creed stepping up to help. Sure we bicker and we disagree, sometimes vehemently so. But when the going gets tough, it seems we always find a way to come together. I have the pictures to prove it.

No doubt, there are times ignorance is bliss By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

Columbus Day usually comes and goes around here with little hoopla, and this year was no different. The most forgotten and uncelebrated holiday of the year was uneventful here, and I’ll bet most places last Monday, Oct. 9. To be honest, I’m not sure if I would have known it was a holiday until I saw the a sign on the bank that read “Closed for Columbus Day.” By happenstance, I had business on the other side of town and decided to take the Nickel Bridge

to get to my destination. And, it was really by chance that I rolled past a statue of Christopher Columbus that sits near the entrance to Byrd Park. Now, the monument controversy has received more than a fair amount of coverage lately, but I was certainly unaware that Christopher Columbus also has a hearty group of opponents who want his holiday nixed. What’s the beef with the oft-described mildmannered Italian explorer? A small poster positioned beside the monument tweaked my interest but provided few hints about the facts surrounding the complaints.

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“Don’t celebrate Slave Traders”, the poster read. Like most of us, I knew little of Christopher Columbus other than the thoughtless rhymes we learned as children. “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” I also recalled something about him disproving the theory that the earth was flat. Like most of what we know about Columbus, I discovered that wasn’t exactly accurate. Turns out, many astronomers and scientists of the era agreed that the earth was, indeed, round, see Letters > page 8

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS The Local 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: 730-0476 E-mail: editor@goochlandgazette.com © 2017 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.

a visit home By Laura McFarland News Editor

In the last decade, this writer has moved a grand total of three times: from Houston to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to Winchester and finally here. It was never a fun experience. You tell yourself you are going to use the opportunity to go through some things and weed out what you don’t need any more. Then the move date approaches and you run out of time and promise yourself you will do it as you unpack. Pssh. Like those boxes ever got unpacked. Seeing all of my worldly possessions stuffed into the back of a moving truck, there was always a flutter in my stomach because it was a very real, visible sign that everything was about to change. I thought of that two weeks ago when I went to visit family in Houston. As I have said before, almost all of my family members live in Texas and Houston in particular. Fortunately, while flooding was a constant danger for them, the water didn’t make it into their homes and there was minimal damage. In floods of years past, some family members weren’t so fortunate. After the stress of worrying about my family, I went for a quick visit and gave each one of them a very satisfying hug upon seeing them. You don’t realize how much of the tension is still there in your body until you physically get to put your arms around your loved ones and see for yourself that they are safe. As with any visit home, it was mostly filled with seeing family members and eating way too much good food. Like seriously, way too much food, but all of it really good. Driving around parts of Houston, it was hard to believe a catastrophic flood had overtaken the city only weeks earlier. But then you drove through other parts and the evidence see Letters > page 8

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Thursday

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October 19, 2017

Brown Motor Parts, Inc. Rt. 6 & 45 at George’s Tavern

Contributed report

Goochland, VA 23063

Dr. Mishka Terplan, Professor at VCU Health and nationally recognized expert in addiction, will be speak and answer questions at Goochland High School on Oct. 25, following the viewing of the documentary “Chasing the Dragon,” which provides information on the dangers of prescription opioids and heroin. The event begins with a community health informational fair and a food truck from 6-6:30 p.m., followed

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at 6:30 p.m. by the documentary. At approximately 7:20 p.m., Dr. Terplan will present medical and behavioral information on addiction. This free event is jointly sponsored by the Goochland Powhatan Rural Substance Abuse Awareness Coalition (RSAAC) and the Goochland Commonwealth Attorney’s office. Dr. Terplan is the Addiction Medicine Consultant for the Virginia Department of Medicaid Services and a consultant for the National Center

on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare. He has spoken before the United States Congress and has participated in expert panels at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) on screening tools for substance use among pregnant women, maternal addiction and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Dr. Terplan is professor in Obstetrics

and Gynecology and Psychiatry and Associate Director in Addiction Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is dual board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and in addiction medicine. His clinical, research and advocacy interests lie along the intersection of reproductive and behavioral health. Dr. Terplan has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles with recent emphasis on health disparities, stigma, and women’s access to intervention/treatment centers.

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but there was ample dispute if it was possible to sail around the world. After some research, it seems Columbus’s motivation may have been more financially or religiously based as he searched for a trade route to the riches of Asia and the Far East, and sought to spread Christianity in the New World. In any case, it seems that Columbus did discover the

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was all there on the lawns of home after home. Imagine seeing almost everything you own in a damp, smelly heap on your lawn. Pieces of furniture you collected one by one, family photos you always meant to scan but never had the time to

New World on his 1492 voyage with the three famous ships — the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. Well, sort of. Most experts agree Columbus probably landed in the Bahamas on that voyage before heading back home. He made four more voyages each time conquering more lands in an effort to spread Christianity and search for gold and other valuable minerals. Along the way, the indigenous people of Hispaniola

and other Caribbean Islands were forced to dig for that gold, or serve as servants, or even worse, shipped back to Spain as slaves. The inhumane treatment of what Columbus called Indians eventually cost him his governorship of what is now the Dominican Republic, but he continued his conquests in the New World. Groups of men he led are accused of horrific atrocities that almost eliminated an entire culture. According to many his-

torians, what he left behind was a ravaged and diseased group of once proud natives, stricken with Western diseases for which their bodies had no immunity. It seems the controversy regarding the national holiday honoring a man with such a questionable past is not new, and many groups have pushed for its removal from the list of recognized holidays. If nothing else, I learned something on this Columbus Day. Like every story in history,

there are two sides to this one, and, sometimes, well-worn stories of our history appear more glamorous than the actual events would warrant. I suppose it would be difficult to question Columbus’ bravery or sense of adventure, and, perhaps, he was just a creature made of his own time in history. Many countries were seeking to conquer other lands, spread religion and discover wealth in the New World.

do, clothes, heirlooms passed down through the generations of your family, books, games and toys your children played, pieces of art that brought you joy … all of it piled high in the same place you only weeks before tossed bags of household trash. And across the yard and all down your street, your neighbors’ front yards looked just the same.

Volunteer church groups were there helping clear out the houses and dispose of the items, which was good to see. The entire experience was so sobering to see, but since I also was in the car with my mom and one of my sisters, who both knew that this very easily could have been them, it was incredibly emotional. Obviously Hurricane Harvey was more person-

al for me because it hit my hometown so hard, but my heart has gone out to all of the victims of hurricanes in the last several weeks. Even as we were all still shocked about the damage in Texas, we were braced for Hurricane Irma to hit Florida. And, most recently, we see how Hurricane Maria has left Puerto Rico, which way too many people forget is a territory of the United States, without power and clean water. It has been heartwarming to see the ongoing efforts and fundraisers for hurricane victims in Powhatan, but all of these places really do have a hard road of recovery ahead. I hope people will continue to remember them in their thoughts, prayers and support even after they stop making headlines.

Because I want to end on a positive note, I will share one Houston story. During this same car trip, my mom, sister and I went to a quilt shop. While we were looking around, I struck up a conversation with a woman. In the back of the shop she and a group of other women were making quilts for hurricane victims. They were cheerful and welcoming, and in speaking with them I saw their hope that this small offering would bring a moment of happiness to people who had lost so much. If the recipients of those quilts experience even half the love those women were putting into the quilts for them, I think they will feel that moment of happiness. Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com.

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Goochland school division awarded Gum Spring Pumpkin funding for security system upgrade Patch now open Contributed report

Gov. Terry McAuliffe recently awarded $6 million in School Security Equipment Grants to protect students and teachers in 104 school divisions, including Goochland County Public Schools (GCPS). The grants will pay for video monitoring systems, metal detectors, classroom locks, electronic-access controls, visitor-identification systems, direct communications links between schools and law

Ignorance continued from > 8 My research did provide one final insult to the story I’d learned in elementary school. It seems the names we associate with the three famous ships

enforcement agencies, and other security upgrades in 545 schools and other instructional facilities. Goochland County is being awarded $69,262 for Goochland High School’s installation of the Informacast system. Informacast, which has already been installed in all GCPS elementary schools, provides mass messaging capabilities, ties to emergency notifications, the ability to provide NOAA alerts, as well

as a centralized clock and bell system and intercom system. By leveraging the existing and available technology, GCPS replaced an aging and inefficient notification system with a more flexible and robust system improving communication while addressing student and staff safety needs. “School safety is imperative to providing an environment where students can learn, grow and thrive,” said McAuliffe. “These grants will provide our

school administrators with the resources they need to keep their students and teachers safe so they can concentrate on providing a world class education and preparing for success in the new Virginia economy.” The School Security Equipment Grants program was established by the 2013 General Assembly in the aftermath of the Dec. 14, 2012, mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut.

are not exactly accurate either, according to some researchers. Sailors in that time regularly referred to ships by their nicknames and the Nina was actually the Santa Claira, the Pinta also was the nickname of the second ship whose real

name has not been discovered. But, the Santa Maria was the official name of the flagship proving that at least one of the things I thought I knew about Columbus was true. Now, this whole enlighten-

ment has me wondering about George Washington throwing a silver dollar across the Rappahannock River and the enormous challenges of that well-known fable. Sometimes, it’s better to let sleeping dogs lie.

The Gum Spring UMC Pumpkin Patch is currently open for business with a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Weekday hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. This sale supports the Gum Spring Youth Group’s 2018 Mission Trip to North Carolina.

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Help Feed Hungry Kids in Goochland

"Our school division is the beneficiary of a supportive and giving community who is making an investment of time and resources to benefit our students. I am very thankful for the efforts of all of our community partners, including Backpacks of Love, who are providing our students with meals over the weekend. It is a true pleasure to work alongside these dedicated volunteers who are working to make a difference in the lives of our students." —Dr. Jeremy Raley, Superintendent, Goochland County Schools

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Backpacks of Love is a local non-profit dedicated to ending hunger for children in Goochland, Va. The organization works with school staff to identify children in need and discretely places a bag of food in their backpack for the weekend.

Class will help local landowners keep forestland in the family By Neil Clark Forestry Extension Agent

ore than 10 million acres of Virginia’s woodlands belong to nearly 374,000 family forest owners, 51 percent of whom are 65 years of age or older. As landowners look ahead, many want to keep their forestland intact and in the family, but they don’t know where to begin or how to engage the next generation of owners. The upcoming “Family Forest Landowner” workshop will introduce concerned landowners to the options available to transfer their land and legacy to the next generation. “Focusing on Forestland Transfer to Generation NEXT” is being offered Nov. 2 and

9 at the New Kent Forestry Center near Providence Forge. This two-day program will help family forest landowners successfully plan the transfer of their woodlands, intact, from one generation to the next. Current and future owners of family woodlands will learn family communication basics, estate planning tools and succession planning strategies to help sustain their family woodland legacy. Speakers include legal and financial experts experienced in estate planning; forest landowners who have worked through succession planning, and natural resource professionals who work with landowners to conserve and manage land. “Few challenges faced by Virginia’s family forest landowners are more important than the concern of passing the family land and carrying its stewardship forward to the next generation,” said Mike Santucci, assistant director of forestland conservation with the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF). “Family

forest landowners own their woodland for many reasons. A consistent theme is that nearly all of them express a deep connection with their land and a desire to ‘do the right thing’ and leave a lasting legacy to their heirs.” Acknowledging the hard decisions landowners can face in deciding to make a succession plan for their property, Adam Downing, extension forestry agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Northern District region said, “Sometimes it’s difficult for landowners to consider - ‘what will happen to my forestland beyond my lifetime’? While many want to pass their forestland on to family members, only 2 to 3 percent have a plan in place to do so. Without a plan, landowners stand to lose more than just the property out of the family. They risk their family heritage and a portion of the wealth they have accumulated over the years.” As Santucci noted, “We’re see Forest > 15

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Photo by Jim Ridolphi

Goochland’s Jasper Carter (27) runs through a hole in the defense earlier this season in a contest against Nottoway. Carter ran for two touchdowns, one from 60 yards and another from 15 yards, in the 58-18 win over Bluestone on Oct. 13.

Carter, Bulldogs rumble past Bluestone 58-18 By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Writer

Apparently, a three-hour road trip to Bluestone had no negative effects on an undefeated Goochland football team heading in to the final stretch of its regular season. And if there were lingering doubts about the health of star running back Jasper Carter, most of those also fell by the wayside as the Bulldogs recorded a 58-18 victory over the Barons. Carter got a steady dose of handoffs during the Bulldogs first drive and it was evident that the senior is running with

renewed vigor and determination. Perry Snead Johnson covered the final two yards to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 advantage. On the Bulldogs next possession, Carter broke a 60-yard scoring run that gave Goochland a two touchdown advantage early in the first quarter. “Having Jasper back has definitely been a spark for us” Goochland coach Joe Fowler said. “He has great vision and quickness in the hole and he is sneaky fast once he gets into the open, and was able to pull away from the defenders on that 60 yard touchdown run.” John King added another

score with a short run and the Bulldogs were off and running searching for their seventh win of the season. The Barons took advantage of two long passes that allowed quarterback Dale Sturdifen to scamper in for Bluestone’s first score on the first play of the second quarter, but the two point conversion failed making the score 21-6. The Bulldogs seemed poised to score again when quarterback Devin McCray was sacked and fumbled, resulting in a 90 yard touchdown the other way, making the score 21-12. “We struggled in pass pro-

tection on Friday. They were bringing more defenders off the edge than we had blockers. But, it opened up the inside game and gave our running backs room to work,” Fowler said. The Bulldogs answered with another sustained drive ending with a Perry Snead Johnson run that made the score 28-12. Zach Gordon added a 26-yard field goal shortly before the half to make the score 31-12 at intermission. Carter didn’t wait long to get his second score on a 15 yard burst up the middle to make the score 38-12, but

Bluestone scored on their next possession when quarterback Sturdifen found Chris Gregory for a score. Again, the two point conversion failed, making the score 38-18. Goochland added two scores in the fourth quarter to break the half century mark, 58 -18. “The defense did what they always do and played great football,” Fowler said. “Bluestone was able to hit us with a couple long passes where they just threw it up and out jumped out guys who were in position. Outside of that they didn’t move the ball against us.”

The coach said the offensive line is still a work in progress but improving. “The offensive line is getting better each week, Fowler said. “We are starting four new guys there this year and game they get incrementally better. But we need those increments to get bigger.” This week is homecoming for the Bulldogs, a busy week around campus. Fowler wants to make sure his team keeps their eye on the ball. “We try to emphasize to the players that their role in homecoming is to win the game,” he said. “Hopefully we will play well and put on a good show for the fans.”

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U11 Galaxy team wins regional championship

Contributed photo

The U11 Goochland Galaxy travel team brought home another regional tournament title on Oct. 8. The team competed in the Richmond Kickers Columbus Day Tournament, a two-day tournament, advancing in the semifinals by a score of 7-3 and winning 4-3 in the championship match. The team is 11-1 on the season. Shown are, from left, Dawson Handy, Joe Hopler, Garrett Ware, Drew Butler, Jake Tickle, Aiden Valdez, William Geyer, Connor Raugh, Ben Gravely, Jesus Gonzalez, Nicholas Hickey and Gavin Team.

Wright qualifies for Girls State Open By Billy Fellin Sports Editor

While the overall team performance at the Region 2B golf tournament wasn’t what Goochland coach AJ Nash was hoping for, there was one historic accomplishment from the event. Goochland’s Meghan Wright finished ninth overall and qualified for the Virginia High School League’s Girls State Open tournament. Nash said he believes that the accomplishment is a first for a female golfer in Goochland golf history. The coach said that Wright’s state open berth is evident of her growth as a golfer throughout her career. “It shows her dedication and her

leadership,” Nash said. “It’s paid off in the long run. She had her best tournament round ever at regionals. She put it all together. She didn’t hit any bad shots. She managed a tough golf course really well. It’s a significant thing for her.” The tournament will start on Oct. 23 at Independence Golf Course. The two-day event is hosted by Monacan High School and will begin at 10 a.m. on Oct. 23 and day two begins at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 24. Wright’s exact tee time will not be available until Oct. 20. The Bulldogs shot 82, 84, 86 and 102 at the region tournament. It was the first tournament under the new VHSL alignment and Nash said he thought there were just too many teams on the course at once. “The majority of the coaches felt

that way too,” he said. “The way the scores worked out, it was equitable and that’s the way the chips fall in terms of the way the region was split. It was a ton of people there and it would have worked better with less. I heard there was another regional that had a pre-regional and the top two or four teams from that pre-qualifier made it to a final.” Nash said that for next season, he hopes his team continues to improve and work on their game in the offseason. “We have some multisport athletes and I think we should continue to encourage athletes to diversify themselves,” he said. “Just trying to get out and play in the offseason and work on improving our game. Get our on File photo by Billy Fellin the course as much as they can and Goochland’s Meghan Wright qualified for the VHSL Girls State Open on Oct. 23.. working on their game.”

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