The Goochland Gazette – 06/28/2018 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Seminar will offer tips on personal safety, home security > page 2

Volume 63, Number 25 • June 28, 2018

PETS ON THE MOVE: County animal shelter temporarily relocating. See page 3

New Zealand man wanted to meet with teenage girl

Planners say yes to change on rental rules

Real science, serious fun

If approved by supervisors, ordinance amendment will allow some homeowners to rent out rooms by right

Now in custody, Skinner was shot after allegedly trying to break into family’s home

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

see Home invasion > 2

Classic Leather

Photo by Roslyn Ryan

Students taking part in the 2018 Goochland County Public Schools STEM Camp work on a trebuchet they created to demonstrate basic engineering principles. For more on this year’s camp, see page 4.

see Ordinance > 3

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Before a cadre of reporters gathered at the Goochland County Emergency Operations Center on Monday afternoon, Sheriff Jim Agnew stepped to a podium, took a deep breath, and outlined a scenario straight out of most parents’ worst nightmares. The press conference had been organized to share further details about a harrowing attempted home invasion that had occurred in Goochland on the afternoon of Skinner June 22, just a short distance away

Goochland County’s efforts to update rules concerning short-term rentals took another step forward recently, with the county Planning Commission voting unanimously in favor of a change to the current county ordinance governing the way residents rent their property out on home-sharing sites like Airbnb. During the commission’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting on June 6, Goochland Director of Community Development Jo Ann Hunter detailed the reasons for the change, which must still be approved by county supervisors in order to take effect. As Hunter noted, the county’s current code “didn’t anticipate short term rentals 50 years ago

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NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

June 28, 2018

GOOCHLAND SELF-STORAGE

In an effort to help promote after communities and empower residents to protect themselves, the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a “Refuse To Be a Victim” crime prevention and personal safety seminar from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on July 11 and 12. This program will offer participants the chance to learn how to create layers of safety in their lives

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Seminar will offer safety advice Contributed report

to protect themselves and their families from today’s criminal. The seminar, a program of the National Rifle Association, will offer personal safety strategies and information including the psychology of the criminal mind, and personal and technological security. This seminar is open to all Goochland County residents, employees and business owners, and will be held at the

Goochland County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operation Center, 2938 River Rd West. There is no cost to attend, but preregistration is required by July 5, and the seminar is limited to 20 participants. For more information or to register, contact Deputy Shawn S. Creasey at (804) 556-5349 or sscreasey@goochlandva.us for more information or registration.

into the family’s kitchen. When he reached in to unlock the door, the woman fired twice, striking Skinner in the neck. He ran off, collapsing in a neighbor’s yard, where law enforcement officers discovered him moments later. In his possession was a hunting knife and duct tape, both purchased earlier that day at a nearby Walmart. While the woman and her children — whose identities are being withheld by law enforcement at their request — were not injured, the incident left them badly shaken, Agnew said. It also left investigators with a mystery to unravel, one that grew more baffling with each new detail they uncovered: who was this man, why had he come so far, and why was he targeting this family? While investigators still have many unanswered questions, Agnew said Monday that they were able to ascertain that Skinner had been in communication with the 14-year-old girl through an online voiceover-internet application called Discord, which allows people participating in online gaming to talk to one another. While the details of their relationship are not known, Agnew said the teen had attempted to cut off contact with Skinner at some point. Skinner allegedly made several attempts to contact her again before embarking

on June 20 from Auckland, New Zealand, on a journey that would include stops in Sydney, Australia; Los Angeles, California; Washington D.C. and Richmond. He reportedly spent the night of June 21 in a Richmond hostel before making his way to Goochland. While it is not yet known how he found the family’s address, Skinner’s motive was clear, Agnew said. “His whole intent in coming here was, come hell or high water, to see this young lady,” Agnew said. “This was not spontaneous,” said Agnew. “This was well-planned.” Skinner was still in the hospital as of Monday, though Agnew reported he was thought to be out of intensive care. He is charged with breaking and entering with a deadly weapon with the intent to commit a serious offense, and may be facing federal charges as well. Agnew made clear that law enforcement considers the Goochland family victims in this case, and has found no wrongdoing on the part of the teen Skinner was attempting to reach. “The lesson here for parents is that good kids can do things that they think are innocuous and get into trouble,” Agnew said. “This was a nice young lady — she just got in over her head.”

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Home invasion continued from >1

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from Goochland High School. As Agnew recounted, deputies had responded to the address after a man called 911 saying that his wife had just called and told him that a man was attempting to break into the home on Steeplechase Parkway, where the couple lived with their two daughters, ages 14 and 18. The woman had been painting in the basement of the home, Agnew said, when the doorbell rang. Assuming it was a solicitor and ignoring the bell, the woman then observed the man come around to the basement door. As she told investigators later, the man, later identified as Troy George Skinner, 25, of New Zealand, told her he had just hitchhiked 30 miles from Richmond, and needed to come in the house. Fleeing upstairs and locking the door to the basement behind her, the woman told her younger daughter to retrieve a Walther P22 pistol that was kept in a bedroom. Skinner allegedly again attempted to gain entry into the home, and was warned by the woman that she was armed. Ignoring her repeated commands to leave the property, Skinner then picked up a landscape brick and hurled it through the glass door leading

Legion Post 201 team rolls past 186 PAGE 8 Calendar ................................ 4 Classifieds ......................13-14 Letters .................................... 6 Obituaries .............................. 5 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports .................................8-9 TV Listings ......................10-12

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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June 28, 2018

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County schools will offer meals, Have the Goochland Gazette delivered to your mailbox every week! enrichment activities to students Transportation will be provided at the following locations and times: 9:50 a.m. -Old Columbia Rd and Ravenwood Rd 10:20 a.m. - Mt. Gilead Baptist Church / 4768 Shannon Hill Road 10:30 a.m. - Damoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Store / 4814 Broad Street RD 10:35 a.m. - Post OfficeHadensville 10:45 a.m. - Chapel Hill Rd. and Riddles Bridge Rd 10:55 a.m. - New Market on corner / VA-6 & Hadensville-Fife Rd

11 a.m. - Byrd Elementary School In addition to free meals for children, parents may purchase a meal and participate in special activities to enrich their childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s school experience. Goochland County Public Schools is excited to support our studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wellness and academic needs this summer through this program. For more information, contact School Nutrition Supervisor Lisa Landrum at (804) 556-5604 or llandrum@ glnd.k12.va.us.

Animal shelter temporarily relocating Contributed report

On Monday, July 2, the Goochland County Animal Shelter will temporarily relocate to the Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Central High School Cultural and Educational Complex located at 2748 Dogtown Road, in Goochland. According to information provided Tuesday by the County, relocation is necessary to accommodate ongoing construction of a new 13,941 square foot state-of-the-art shelter facility, as well as demolition of the existing Animal Shelter. The temporary Animal Shelter will operate at the rear of the Central High School Complex until the new shelter is completed. Citizens can continue to contact the Animal Shelter by calling

(804) 556-5302. Shelter hours will remain the same at the temporary location, which are: Monday: Closed Tuesday: 9 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 p.m. Wednesday: 9 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 p.m. Thursday: 9 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 p.m. Sunday: Closed Currently, Goochland County Animal Protection has 24 dogs available for adoption and is working with area rescue organizations to place the dogs prior to the shelter relocation. Individuals interested in adopting animals can contact the Animal Shelter at (804) 556-5302.

ONE YEAR (52 WEEK) SUBSCRIPTION $30.00 FOR GOOCHLAND COUNTY ZIP CODES, ALL OTHERS $40.00 ACCOUNT/DELIVERY INFORMATION: Name: Street: City: ________________ State: Zip Code: Phone: 753603-01

Contributed report

Beginning on Monday, July 2, Goochland County Public Schools, with the support of the USDA, will provide free meals for kids and family enrichment activities at Byrd Elementary School, Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The program will be closed on July 4 and 5 for the holiday. All Goochland families from all schools with children ages 4-18 are welcomed to participate.

Office hours 8:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:00 â&#x20AC;˘ Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday Questions? Call 804-746-1235 ext. 0 / 804-775-4610 or email mwall@mechlocal.com

Ordinance continued from >1 when it was created,â&#x20AC;? and therefore often fails to adequately address the sometimes thorny issues related to them. In addition to simply regulating short term rentals, which are currently included along with bed and breakfasts and country inns under the classification â&#x20AC;&#x153;transient lodging,â&#x20AC;? the new language seeks to layout clear regulations about where the practice of renting rooms is allowed and under what cir-

short term rentals would be allowed only with a conditional use permit. All forms of transient lodging would be required to meet specific standards, and property owners would first need to register with the county before renting out rooms or homes. According to Hunter, the effort to change the language in the code came after county leaders and planning department staff realized that the county had no firm code language that covered all forms of transient lodging, and that the code was contradictory in some areas.

Goochland Gazette, Attn: Subscription 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, VA 23116 Cash and checks accepted at the above address or call to give credit/ debit card over the phone.

COUNTY EVENTS

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% $ cumstances. Should the ordinance change ultimately pass, hosted short term rentalsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;meaning the owner of the property would need to reside on the property full-time and could not exceed 10 guests at one time â&#x20AC;&#x201D; would be allowed by right in areas of the county zoned A1 and A2, along with bed and breakfasts. Unhosted short term rentals, would be allowed in A1 and A2 zoning areas with a conditional use permit. In areas zoned rural residential, both hosted and unhosted

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June 28, 2018

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NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

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Community Calendar Friday, June 29 Family Storytimes at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library is held at 10:30 a.m. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information. Friday Movies at the Goochland Branch Library are screened from 10 a.m. – noon for all ages. Popcorn will be provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library. For more information, call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West. Tuesday, July 3

Contributed photo

Students taking part in last week’s seventh annual Goochland County Public School’s STEM Camp take part in a group exercise using plastic tubing.

Schools’ STEM Camp popularity soars By Roslyn Ryan Editor

tationed in the courtyard of the Goochland Middle School complex last Friday morning, as the mid-June temperatures inched upward, ninth graders Brandon Avram and Kyle Lumpkin were feeling confident. Making a few, last-minute adjustments to the trebuchet they had built together, the duo prepared to go head to head with several other students who had built similar contraptions (a trebuchet, for those less-schooled in medieval weaponry, uses a counterweight to launch an object — in Friday’s case a tennis ball — as opposed to a catapult, which relies on tension). That Avram and Lumpkin were spending a summer morning finetuning a trebuchet — and not, say, hanging out by a pool or playing videogames — was due largely to

the efforts of the committed group of Goochland County teachers, staff and volunteers who spend each summer overseeing the popular STEM camp program offered through Goochland County Public Schools (GCPS). The handful of students competing for bragging rights in the courtyard were part of a group of over 100 kids who spent last week engaged in hands-on activities ranging from building robots to examining the science beyond creating the foods they eat every day, all with the goal of promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation for science, technology, engineering and math. Now in its seventh year, the GCPS Stem Camp has grown from 35 third, fourth, and fifth graders in its first year to 115 campers this year across grades K-12. STEM camp supervisor Lisa Brown, who was instrumental in bringing the camp to Goochland,

says the annual event has benefitted tremendously from the enthusiasm the students bring. “They are amazing,” said Brown of the campers, around 25 of whom spent Friday morning engaged in a challenge involving cardboard boxes, plastic tubing and marbles. Old-school pop music echoed from a speaker in the hallway as students in purple camp T-shirts laughed and cheered each other’s efforts. Bruce Watson, Director of Career and Technical Education for GCPS, said he’s been thrilled with the way the camp has grown over the years, and counted this year’s program as another success story. “It challenged the kids on all fronts, and they also had fun,” said Watson, noting that the thing he finds most exciting about the program is that, at the middle and high school levels, the students help plan much of the curriculum. “It’s really a nice way to go,

because the kids have a vested interest in it,” Watson said. Out in the courtyard Friday, as lunchtime approached, there was not yet a declaration of victory. A few feet from where the trebuchets were set up, Goochland High School teacher Brent Rose kept an eye on the proceedings but let the young engineers mostly figure things out on their own. “The best part is watching their brains try to improve on their shots,” said Rose, who teaches Video Media and Technical Drawing in Goochland High School’s Career and Technical Education program. As Brown explained, it was one more small example of the kind of immersive, enriching experiences the program strives to create every year. Said Brown, as she and the rest of the group prepared to head out to the local YMCA for a model boat race later that afternoon, “this is what learning is all about.”

The Goochland Branch Library will host Invitation to Create from 10 – 11 a.m. for children ages 3-10. Participants can unleash their creative spirits with a variety of art materials. Snacks 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. Wednesday, July 4 The Goochland Recreational Center will be hosting its annual Fourth of July Celebration from noon to 6 p.m. at 2415 Sandy Hook Road in Goochland. All are invited to enjoy good food, music, games and a Kids Zone, and are encouraged to wear their “Most Patriotic Attire” for the judging contest. Vendor tables may be reserved for $25 by calling (804) 556-6693 or (804) 822-6407. Thursday, July 5, 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 see Calendar > 16

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June 28, 2018

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Obituaries KAREN E. BROWN Karen Ellen Randolph Brown transitioned on Thursday, June 14, 2018, from her physical body to rest until the Lord returns. Karen leaves to celebrate her life, cherish her memories and honor her legacy a son, Antoine Doyle Sr. (Michelle); and daughter, Lashanta Valentine; eight grandchildren, eight sisters, two brothers, and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Her remains rested at the Robert Mealy Funeral Home in Goochland, where the family received friends on Tuesday, June 19. A Celebration of Life was held on Wednesday, June 20, at Antioch Baptist Church..

held Thursday, June 21. Interment followed at Goochland Baptist Church in Manakin-Sabot. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Goochland Baptist Church.

SHIRLEY S. NUCKOLS Shirley S. Nuckols, 85, of Rockville, passed peacefully on June 18, 2018. She was preceded in death by her husband, Garland R. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Peteâ&#x20AC;? Nuckols. She is survived by her sons, Garland, Garry, Greg and Gene (Laura); grandchildren, Chris, Mark, Kelly, Hope and Eastin. She is also survived by one brother, Walter Satterwhite; and many nieces and nephews. Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was a lifelong resident of Rockville, and member of Goochland Baptist Church. The family received friends on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at Bennett Funeral Home West Chapel, where services were

ELEANOR LEE TURNER Eleanor Lee Turner, 91, of Sandy Hook, passed away at her home on June 13, 2018. She is survived by her two children, Mark Turner of California and Janice Sandford of Woodstock, Illinois; and a brother, David Grubbs of Powhatan. Also surviving are six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mrs. Turner served many years as Deputy Clerk in the Circuit Court in Goochland County and was then elected as Clerk of the Court where she served for 22 years, from Jan. 1, 1992 to Dec. 31, 2014.

IDA B. TAYLOR Mrs. Ida B. Taylor, 88, of Goochland, departed this life Sunday, June 17. She leaves to cherish her memory a loving family. Her remains rested at the Robert Mealy Funeral Home in Goochland, where the family received friends on Saturday, June 23. Funeral services were held on Sunday, June 24 at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Goochland.

Broad Street Rd. (Rt. 250) and Cross County Rd. (Rt. 522) Roundabout Project Goochland County Design Public Hearing Tuesday, July 24, 2018*, 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7 p.m. Holly Grove Volunteer Fire Department 143 Factory Mill Road Bumpass, VA 23024 Find out about the proposed improvements in Goochland County at the intersection of Broad Street Road (Route 250) and Cross County Road (Route 522). The project will install a new roundabout at this intersection, which will enhance safety and traffic operations. Trucks will be detoured during construction. The meeting will be held in an open forum style from 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7 p.m. This format will provide the flexibility to allow participants to meet and discuss the proposed project directly with project staff members.

see Obituaries > 12

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Review the project information and National Environmental Policy Act documentation at VDOTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Richmond District Office located at 2430 Pine Forest Drive in South Chesterfield, 23834-9002, 804-524-6000, 1-800367-7623 or TTY/TDD 711. Please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate personnel to answer your questions. Property impact information, relocation assistance policies and tentative construction schedules are available for your review at the above addresses and will be available at the public hearing. Give your written or oral comments at the meeting or submit them no later than August 3, 2018 to Winston D. Phillips, PMP, project manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, South Chesterfield, VA 23834-9002. You may also email your comments to Winston.Phillips@VDOT.Virginia.gov. Please reference â&#x20AC;&#x153;Route 250 Roundaboutâ&#x20AC;? in the subject line. VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact the project manager listed above. *In the event of inclement weather on July 24, this meeting will be held on Thursday, July 26 at the same time and location above. State Project: 0250-037-S63, P101, R201, C501 Federal Project: HSIP-5A27(460), HSIP-037-4(016), HSIP-037-4(017) UPC: 107081

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OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

June 28, 2018

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In recovery, addicts offer example of strength By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Of all the reasons I count myself blessed — and there are many — one is that I have never found myself caught in the grip of a drug or alcohol addiction. Another blessing is that I know quite a few people who once were. “There but for the grace of God go I,” the English Reformer John Bradford famously said, meaning that at least some of what separates the vast majority of successful people from the vast majority of unsuccessful people is not what they bring as much as what they have been

given (i.e. grace, or, if you like, luck). The people I know who are former addicts, however, have lived on both sides. They have fallen and risen—often many times—and know intimately how thin a line exists between recovery and relapse. They rarely judge anyone too harshly, as they know the sting of judgment all too well. I’ve always been lucky: I started with good parents and grew up in quiet, leafy neighborhoods where substance abuse, while it almost certainly existed, was kept largely out of sight. My friends and I had DARE programs and after school television specials, and plenty of

people nudging us down the right path. Still, there were kids I grew up with who stumbled and fell along the way, succumbing to one terrible poison or another. Some didn’t make it, but some did. These few — some now approaching middle age with new lives and rough backstories — are heroes to me. Every single day they get up and have to decide, once again, to choose their new life over their old one. Having shaken off the demons that nearly ruined them, they have to keep putting one foot in front of

the other and moving forward. Society doesn’t always make the path any easier—particularly for those whose pasts include run-ins with the law or time in prison. Starting over, for them, means battling stigma and prejudice in addition to all of the work it takes to avoid sliding back into addiction. I’m thinking of specific people I have known here, but there are millions of others. They have made mistakes, to be sure, but we know from their example that we don’t have to be defined by our past, and that redemption is possible. They prove it every day.

Krauthammer leaves lasting legacy

Letters to the Editor

grandmother, or parent, but rarely someone close to you. Of course, there are no notable exceptions, and life always deals unexpected hands to all of us. With all of that said, it seems I hear about more and more deaths of friends or people who inspired my generation. The latest news that hit close to home was the passing of Charles Krauthammer, a Pulitzer-decorated journalist and regular contributor on Fox News. Krauthammer gained the respect and admiration of his

Community offers support to families during time of sorrow

By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

When you reach a certain maturity in life, it seems like more people you know are departing this wonderful existence. Now, I’m quite sure the same number of people is passing away and it just seems like more of them are acquaintances or well-known folks who have been in my life for decades. I’m convinced it’s a generational effect of aging. When you’re in your 30s, most of the folks departing are someone’s

colleagues largely due to his enormous dedication to a brand of journalism rarely seen on television today. His reasoned, almost scientific, approach to the issues of the day made his take on events significant, even to those of us who often disagreed with his expressed views. But, it was Krauthammer’s life story that offered inspiration to anyone who was lucky enough to know it. The Canadian transplant exceeded in everything he pursued, up to and after the

Dear Editor, The death of my wife, Elizabeth Crawford Woodson, was not easy to accept. Losing Liz, even though she had gone through some medical problems, was still a painful experience for me. I am truly thankful that I was able to be there for her until the end. I know her pain and suffering are now over, but to God I give the Glory. Liz was a very dedicated wife to me and my calling. She was also a wonderful mother to her children, and devoted member of the Fauquier Baptist Church. We are blessed to have had her love

see Krauthammer > 7

see Letters > 12

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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 © 2018 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.

Reaching out to help save lives By Laura McFarland News Editor

Growing up in Houston, Texas, my family lived in a variety of areas, some nicer than others. One was a good neighbor, but it definitely had its problems. And the fact that we had burglar bars on the windows and in front of the door, while it didn’t mean much to me at the time, says a lot to me now. My memories of that neighborhood are a mixture of good and bad, just like life. I remember riding my bike up and down the streets with friends. I remember having my first kiss with another neighborhood kid. I remember getting in trouble with my mom when she learned I was prank calling the house of a boy I liked (not the same boy) and marching me down the street to apologize in person to his parents. One of the more vivid moments of our years there is a night most people aren’t likely to forget. A Life Flight helicopter landed on the street in front of our house. A teenage boy a few years older than my older sisters shot himself with a gun. They couldn’t save him. The cries of his family in the night still haunt me. A year ago on Monday, June 25, my sister told us that one of her young cousins on her husband’s side — a 17-year-old boy — had taken his own life. While I never met him, my sister described him as “one of those kids that cried out a lot but then when confronted by it he would say ‘I am just kidding. I would never do that.’” In fact, he told his dad about 30 minutes before he killed himself that he would never do that. He did. He would have graduated high school this year, just like my nephew. His family is still so distraught they can’t hold a memorial service. see Suicide > page 7

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continued from >6 moment a tragic accident paralyzed him for life. While attending Harvard Medical School, Krauthammer and a friend cut class one morning and stopped by the campus pool for a quick swim. A misplaced dive changed

Suicide continued from >6 There are more stories of people I knew or who were known by a friend or family member. Some were decades ago and still leave a scar. Some are too fresh and the pain is more than their loved ones can probably fathom or comprehend at this moment. With recent celebrity suicides like Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain splashed all over the news, I have noticed an increasing number of notices on social media telling people to talk someone and seek help. Many list the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number, which I also will do – 1-800-273-8255. The website is www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. I’m not listing this information or writing this column as part of a trend. I’m doing it because you never know when it will be seen by the right person – someone struggling with grief, depression, bullying, abuse, feelings of isolation – and hopefully make them pause. I’m doing it because I’ve seen people of all ages struggle to understand why someone they loved so much chose not to stay. In addition to promoting the hotline and other resources, Lifeline’s website promotes a campaign called #BeThe1To, which includes five steps for communicating with someone who may be suicidal are sup-

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Krauthammer’s life immediately. He finished Harvard near the top of his class, on time despite the serious injury and hours of rehabilitation. Krauthammer quickly realized that a career in medicine was not for him, moved to Washington, D.C., and began a lifelong love affair with jour-

nalism and politics. There are a thousand lessons one could learn from Charles Krauthammer and his journey, but his tenacity and determination wouldn’t be a bad place to begin. Many who watched him on television never knew of his disability, and while cruel commentators took cheap

shots at his sometimes-stuttered speech, a direct result of his spinal cord injury, Krauthammer delivered his usual thoughtful and relevant commentary minus the increased decibel levels often displayed by those seated beside him. His colleagues noted his desire to be judged with his

peers, and he refused and disdained any attempt to give him the benefit of the doubt due to his disability. He bravely issued a public letter two weeks ago stating his declining condition and accepting a fate that awaits us all, a final act of courage by a courageous man who lived an extraordinary life and left us

much too soon. Do words count? Krauthammer proved that they do and his intellect, insight and compassion are evident in every one he wrote. We are fortunate to have those words preserved for future generations to benefit and offer inspiration for decades to come.

ported by evidence in the field of suicide prevention. The campaign’s website, www.bethe1to.com/bethe1tosteps-evidence/, has more detail on each of these steps, and I recommend taking a look, but here is a condensed version. Ask — Asking the question “Are you thinking about suicide?” communicates that you’re open to speaking about suicide in a non-judgmental and supportive way. It can open the door for effective dialogue about their emotional pain and can allow everyone involved to see what next steps need to be taken. The flip side of the “Ask” step is to “Listen.” Make sure you take their answers seriously and not to ignore them, especially if they indicate they are experiencing thoughts of suicide. Listening to their reasons for being in such emotional pain, as well as listening for any potential reasons they want to continue to stay alive, are both incredibly important when they are telling you what’s going on. Help them focus on their reasons for living and avoid trying to impose your reasons for them to stay alive. Keep them safe — It’s important to find out a few things to establish immediate safety. Have they already done anything to try to kill themselves before talking with you? Does the person experiencing thoughts of suicide know how they would kill themselves? Do they have a specific detailed plan? What’s the timing for their plan? What sort of access

do they have to their planned method? Knowing the answers to each of these questions can tell us a lot about the imminence and severity of danger the person is in. Be there – This could mean being physically present for someone, speaking with them on the phone when you can, or any other way that shows support for the person at risk. An important aspect of this step is to make sure you follow through with the ways in which you say you’ll be able to support the person. Do not commit to anything you are not willing or able to accomplish. Help them connect — Helping someone with thoughts of suicide connect with ongoing supports (like the Lifeline) can help them establish a safety net for those moments they find themselves in a crisis. Additional components of a safety net might be

connecting them with supports and resources in their communities. One way to start helping them find ways to connect is to work with them to develop a safety plan. This can include ways for them to identify if they start to experience significant severe thoughts of suicide along with what to do in those crisis moments. A safety plan also can include a list of individuals to contact when a crisis occurs. Follow up — After your initial contact with a person experiencing thoughts of suicide, and after you’ve connected

them with the immediate support systems they need, make sure to follow up with them to see how they’re doing. Leave a message, send a text, or give them a call. The follow-up step is a great time to check in with them to see if there is more you are capable of helping with or if there are things you’ve said you would do and haven’t yet had the chance to get done for the person. While you’re checking out Lifeline’s website, there is a link within it that is worth a look called Stories of Hope and Recovery. It is the stories of

men and women who attempted suicide while struggling with any number of reasons — addiction, military trauma, sexuality, eating disorders, serious mental illness, and more — but who survived and found a reason to live. In the words of one man who survived his suicide attempt: “I want to share this with you because life is complicated, hard and often, a constant struggle. But that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.” Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com.

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Photo by Billy Fellin

American Legion Post 201’s Austin Rose (Goochland) sent a grounder to shortstop in the second inning, which the Post 186 fielder ended up throwing into right field, which allowed two runs to score during the 14-4 rout at Powhatan High School on June 25.

American Legion Post 201 rolls past Post 186 14-4 By Billy Fellin Sports Editor

The players and coaches of American Legion Post 201 worked on the field at Powhatan High School for three days, battling rain, storms and the resulting wet field conditions to try and get the season underway.

However, the elements didn’t help Post 201 as that worked resulted in zero innings of baseball being played on June 22-24. But, the weather finally cooperated on June 25 and Post 201 showed no signs of rust in a 14-4 rout of Mechanicsville Post 186. “I’m very pleased with this

team,” head coach Eric Mead said. “They’re swinging the bat really well. If we can continue to do that this season, we’ll be in good shape.” Post 201 wasted no time in getting runs on the board. In the first inning, they put up nine total runs. Post 201 was already up 5-0, which included a Josh

Dawson home run, when the offense continued to pile on the offense. Cale Agee came to the plate with the bases loaded and sent a double into left-centerfield, which cleared the bases to make it 8-0. Cody Willis brought Agee home with a double of his own, this one to right field, to

make it 9-0. Post 186 got a runner on base in the top of the second, but a 4-6-3 double play quelled any momentum that Mechanicsville was attempting to get going. Post 201 continued its offensive torrent in the bottom of the second inning. Sam Reed reached on an

error by the Mechanicsville shortstop top to open the inning. Jacob Frame followed Reed by reaching on an error by the Mechanicsville third baseman to put two runners on. After a fly ball to second base by Jacob Beil, Austin see Legion>8

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Goochland YMCA defeats Battlefield Green in unusual meet By Dave Lawrence Richmond Suburban News

Weather complicated the scheduled Greater Richmond Aquatic League (GRAL) Division 5 meet between Goochland and Battlefield Green. Battlefield Green’s Ferocious Frogs were scheduled to host the meet Friday night – and they did – but after one storm delayed the start of the meet and lightning from another storm chased everyone from the pool later that night, the teams had to scramble to save Goochland families the hour or more drive back to Mechanicsville for a resumption of the competition. In the end, it was decided that the Manta Rays would finish their events at their home pool at the Goochland YMCA, while the Ferocious Frogs would do the same at their home pool in Mechanicsville. The results would be sorted based on time afterward. “It’s not typically how GRAL likes it done, but the teams agreed to do it that way,” said Goochland head coach Helen Brown. “We did that. We

Legion continued from >8 Rose sent a shot to shortstop, which the Mechanicsville fielder errantly threw into right field in a double play attempt. That error allowed two runs to score to make it 11-0 in favor of 201. Trey Johnson brought Rose home with a fielder’s choice groundout to make it 12-0. Carter Mimmick reached with a single, but was thrown

didn’t swim any relays. Their referee came out and reffed on our beach – at our pool – so everybody was pretty happy with that.” By the time the results were compiled, Goochland had dominated the Ferocious Frogs. But everyone was pleased with the progress their swimmers were making in the second week of the GRAL season. “We’re doing great,” Brown said. “We have a few more swimmers than we had last summer and the team’s moving along fairly well. … Right now, there’s a really tight group of high school swimmers who just want to do more, so they came out and swam last year and this year. They’re just a really tight group of kids and they wanted to come swim together.” The Manta Rays also have plenty of younger swimmers – and Brown hopes they will be able to take over now that the most experienced cadre of high school swimmers graduated this year and will age out of GRAL competition. Presently, the mix of old and young swimmers provides a chance for the older kids to

teach the younger ones. “When we can, we all swim together,” Brown said. “But, we also have times when the 13-to-18-year-old swimmers get in the water and work with the younger swimmers. The returning swimmers are excellent about sharing their knowledge with the new kids. It’s a challenge to push the kids at the top of their game as well as bringing swimmers up to their level. ” Battlefield Green head coach Garrett Gauntt said his swimmers love to swim against the Manta Rays. “All my swimmers get great times against them because they’re racing against people who usually are swimming year-round – they have the facility to swim year-round – so they’re usually faster because they’re in the water all year. When my kids swim against their kids, even if they lose, they put up great times against them.” Gauntt said the Ferocious Frogs have about the same number of swimmers as last year, but the age distribution of swimmers is concentrated on the older and younger ends of the spectrum, with a bit of a dip among the middle school-

out at second as he was attempting to steal the base to end the inning. The next two innings passed without any run production. Mechanicsville started to get to Post 201 starter Hunter Montgomery in the top of the fifth inning. Montgomery issued a walk, a single and hit a batter to load the bases with one out. He walked another batter to force a run home, which made the score 12-1. Mead brought in Reilly

Dickerson in relief of Montgomery. The first batter Dickerson faced reached on an error, which also brought home a run to make it 12-2. Dickerson gave up a sacrifice fly and an RBI single before the inning ended with a strikeout and the score was at 12-4. Mead said that Montgomery and Dickerson both pitched well in their respective roles. “Hunter threw the ball really, really well tonight,” he

Photo by Dave Lawrence/Mechanicsville Local

Goochland’s Sasha Babic swims to victory with a 42.75 finish in the advanced division of the 1112 boys 50-yard breaststroke on the first night of Goochland’s 705-401 win over host Battlefield Green in a Greater Richmond Aquatic League swim meet on Wednesday, June 20.

aged groups. Goochland was led by a host of triple winners: Audrey Darden, Blake Gilman, Payton Harrigal, Ryan Johnson, Garrett Kemmerly, Luke Pushinsky, Andrea Rogerson, Anneliese

Rogerson, Annika Rogerson, Sophia Summitt, Jessica Valdez and Sylvia Wirsing. The Ferocious Frogs were led by Devin George, Christine Gilbreath, Ariel Salas and Taylor Scholten.

Goochland also won its first meet of the season against Bell Creek on June 10. Dave Lawrence is sports editor of The Mechanicsville Local, Ashland-Hanover Local and The King William Local.

said. “We might have left him in a couple pitches too long at the end. He was getting close to his max. It was nice to get him up in his pitch count in his first outing. I was happy with Hunter’s performance on the mound. Reilly is a oneinning guy and can spot the ball for you and I thought he did really well with the jam that he got in with the bases loaded.” Mimmick started the bottom of the fifth inning off with a single, followed by Agee reaching safely to put two run-

ners on. Willis then grounded to the shortstop, who got Agee at second, but Midlothian’s second baseman was errant on the relay to first. The error allowed Mimmick to score to make it 13-4. Dawson followed that up with a triple, which scored Willis to make it 14-4 and end the game due to the slaughter rule. Mead said he was happy with how his team responded with its first time on the field

in regular season competition after three weeks of practice. “It meant a lot to be able to get this first game in,” he said. The game was originally scheduled for Sunday, June 24, but was moved to Monday, June 25, after wet field conditions, which also ended up moving the game from June 25 to J Tuesday, June 26. Post 201 continued its schedule on Wednesday, June 27, with a game against Post 361 at Powhatan High School.

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