INSIDE Goochland High’s Anne Marie Hudak named division-wide Teacher of the Year. > page 4
Volume 65, Number 21 • May 21, 2020
COVID-19 community testing to be held in Goochland Thursday. See page 14
Parents await word on when students could return to class
Phase one begins
Gift of $2.5 million to Benedictine will honor brother, son By Roslyn Ryan Editor
By Roslyn Ryan Editor
As students and parents across the county close in on the end of another school year—one that has played out very differently from the way anyone likely predicted—there is one question they are probably asking on a daily, if not hourly, basis: what is going to happen in the fall? While Gov. Ralph Northam told reporters earlier this month he remains optimistic that Virginia students could be returning to school as early as August, provided current measures continue to slow the coronovirus outbreak that prompted schools across the nation to shutter last March, some Goochland parents said they still have many concerns about how that next step will play out. In response to a question posted by The Gazette on the Goochland Moms Facebook page, some cautioned that the lack of access to high speed internet in many areas of the county is an issue that will have to be addressed if schools remain closed, while others were concerned about safety if they reopen too quickly.
Olivia Garber, an employee of Eccoti Italian restaurant, wiped counters at the restaurant last Friday, the first day that the state was allowing many restaurants and other businesses to ease some restrictions put in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Though the restaurant has patio seating, Eccoti co-owner Robin Vitale said she will likely wait until restrictions are loosened further before doing anything other than take-out service.
see Schools > page 2
OUR BIG MEMORIAL DAY SALE
Thanks to the generosity of two alumni families, Benedictine College Preparatory announced on Monday that has received the largest charitable donation in the 110-year history of the school. The combined gift of $2.5 million was announced in a ceremony conducted in the nearly completed gymnasium of the River Road school. That building will now be named The McMurtrieReynolds Pavilion, in honor of two late Benedictine graduates. Alex McMurtrie Jr. and Randy Reynolds Sr. jointly announced that they were presenting the school with the gift in honor of a pair of family members, both graduates of Benedictine, who have passed away. Monday’s pledge, made in conjunction with the school’s fund drive, The Campaign for Benedictine, pushed the total donations past the campaign’s target goal of $20 million. The pavilion’s new name will be unveiled during a grand opening celebration on Aug. 28. That celebration will also include the introduction of the plaque that details the two people in whose honor
Photo by Roslyn Ryan
see Gift > page 3
STARTS TODAY THRU MAY 30! 45% OFF DINETTES IN STOCK 50% OFF UPHOLSTERY IN STOCK 45% OFF BEDROOMS IN STOCK 40% OFF HOME ACCESSORIES SOCIAL DISTANCING IS ALWAYS A PRIORITY.
10500 Patterson Avenue | 804-740-3124 | 888-740-5715 Open Mon-Sat 10am -5pm / Closed Sunday and Memorial Day
w w w.va w ay s i d e. n e t