The Goochland Gazette – 09/03/2020 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Apple picking offers healthy way to enjoy nature’s bounty > page 14

Volume 65, Number 36 • September 3, 2020

Young named county’s new Administrator

A polar PROBLEM

Contributed report

The North Pole restaurant may be closed, but search for head of iconic bear statue goes on By Roslyn Ryan Editor

uestion: What do you get when you cross an iconic Goochland restaurant, a treasured friendship, and a beloved statue whose head has mysteriously disappeared? The answer? A mystery as peculiar as any in recent memory and a community-wide plea for the return of the missing topper. When Goochland resident Jonathan Cranshaw decided to restore the two stone bears that had been stationed for years in front of The North Pole restaurant on Route 6 in Crozier, he knew that the project would have made his late friend Dick Rossi, the restaurant’s owner, exceedingly happy. The only problem? At some point in the last see Bears > 2

Photo by Roslyn Ryan

Goochland resident Jonathan Cranshaw is hoping to restore the two polar bear statues that once sat in front of The North Pole restaurant in Crozier. Here, he holds a piece of one bear’s head.

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, the Goochland County Board of Supervisors officially appointed Kenneth A. Young as the county’s next County Administrator and Clerk to the Board effective September 14, 2020. Mr. Young follows John Budesky, who resigned effective June 30, 2020 and became County Administrator in Hanover County, and Derek L. Stamey, who has served as Interim County Administrator since Young July 1, 2020. Young will begin his duties as County Administrator effective Sept. 14, 2020. Kenneth “Kenny” A. Young brings more than 25 years of local government and private sector management experience and holds the distinction of being an International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Credentialed Manager. Young began his local government career in 1991 as a budget and management intern for the City of Las Cruces, see Young > 3

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September 3, 2020

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712 Big Woods Place, Manakin Sabot; Ralph Jay Poling to Richard Wayne Kish Jr., $1,100,000. 12217 Bremner Ridge Circle, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Julie A. Dalzell, $501,678. 12235 Bremner Ridge Circle, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Michael A. Spagnolo, $556,783. 2458 Cheney Creek Road, Goochland; Delta Deck Co. LLC to Robert B. Joyner,

$354,950. 1747 Fox Downs Lane, Oilville; John D. Joyce Jr. to Andrew Johnson, $545,500. 1332 Hounslow Drive, Manakin Sabot; Robert B. Becker to Indumathy Varadarajan, $530,000. 120 Manakin Parke Drive, Manakin Sabot; George V. Moncure Jr., trustee to John D. Shipstedt, $435,000. 10 Partridge Hill Road, Richmond; Melinda S. Maosha to Christopher A. Groome, $1,050,000.

2715 Ravenwood Road, Columbia; Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Eric Jessee, $183,500. 4844 River Road West, Goochland; New Ventures Real Estate LLC to Christian S. Redfern, $228,000. 2300 Stanwood Drive, Goochland; Stanley J. Sidor to Nathaniel Scott Owens, $325,000. 321 Willway Drive, Manakin Sabot; Kayla B. Bumgarner to John Leroy Meacham Jr., $540,000.

Bears

in western Canada and had been purchased and shipped to Goochland by one of Rossi’s long-time customers (one had actually been stationed first at the Gray Bear Grille in Oilville before making it to Rossi’s place when the Grey Bear closed). The bears became a quirky kind of mile-marker on Route 6, beckoning to those driving by even after the restaurant closed in the wake of Rossi’s tragic death in a car accident in 2010. The bears, Cranshaw says, “are a little piece of Goochland history, and a memory of the most wonderful little steakhouse that ever was.” Rossi, a former Richmond City police officer, opened The North Pole 1979 and built it into one of Goochland’s most popular dining destinations. Cranshaw, who was a fan of Rossi’s famous handcut steaks and down-home atmosphere even before the two men became friends, eventually came to think of the place as something of a second home: Years ago, Rossi even closed the place down to host Cranshaw’s

wedding right there in the dining room. “He was really like a second father to me,” says Cranshaw, who keeps a photo of Rossi in his workshop. Tucked in the frame is a dollar bill Rossi won from Cranshaw in a bet years ago, and behind th frame Cranshaw keeps a letter from Goochland County informing Rossi that the plan for the Tiki bar he’d always dreamed of building adjacent to The North Pole had finally been approved. Sadly, Cranshaw says, Rossi was killed before he ever got to see the letter. Now, with The North Pole’s building officially under new ownership, Cranshaw is hoping to restore the two beloved bears as a kind of tribute to his late friend. What became of the small bear’s head is anyone’s guess at this point, and Cranshaw insists he’s not looking to get anyone in trouble. “I don’t need to know how it went missing or why, and I’m happy to go anywhere I need to and pick it up,” said Cranshaw. “I’d just like to have it back.”

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continued from >1 few weeks the head of the smaller, reclining bear has gone missing. Cranshaw says he doesn’t suspect foul play, and doesn’t think the head was intentionally cut off. The stone that the bears are carved from is particularly prone to chipping,

“I’m happy to go anywhere I need to and pick [the head] up. I’d just like to have it back.” Jonathan Cranshaw says Cranshaw, a mason by trade, and he is almost certain that the damage was weather-related. What happened to the head after that, however, is what he desperately wants to find out. As Cranshaw explains, the two bears each came from the same company

Twins take the field for Veritas soccer PAGE 9 Classifieds ........................... 14 Letters .................................... 6 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports ...............................9-10 TV Listings ......................11-13

CONTACT US Toll Free - (877) 888-0449 Office - (804) 746-1235 Joy Monopoli Publisher (804) 775-4614 Fax: (804) 775-4010 Melody Kinser Managing Editor (804) 775-4622 Fax: (804) 344-8746 Roslyn Ryan Editor (804) 339-7956 Cindy Adams Classifieds (804) 775-4616 Fax: (804) 344-8746 Nick Vandeloecht Sports Editor (540) 728-0549

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continued from >1

For gardeners, choosing right plants means less fear of deer Landscaping can be very challenging when you have a deer population living in your neighborhood. Sometimes it seems like the deer are unfairly concentrating on eating your expensive plants rather than what nature has supplied. Recent research into deer behavior may explain some of that focus on eating your landscape plants. Deer need nitrogen, protein and fiber to maintain their health. The University of Vermont Cooperative Extension found that deer can store nitrogen only in small amounts. Greenery provides this nitrogen, as well as 33% of the water a deer needs each day. Certain plants also provide the protein deer need for optimal growth and for bucks to grow antlers. According to the University of

Vermont’s research, hungry deer will eat almost anything available but tend to prefer highly watered, highly fertilized ‘tended’ plants for their high protein, water, and nitrogen content. Your yard offers a buffet of these higher nutrition plants.

Options in Central Virginia Unless you live on a property with deer fencing, you will want to select your plants carefully. After living in Central Virginia for the last eleven years I have found success with several plants that are considered ‘deer resistant’ because deer are less likely to eat them. I will list five of my favorite blooming plants below and also share a great online tool to help you identify other plants you might want to try. For early spring, I like Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) for its gardenia like fragrance and small dainty white bell-shaped flowers. It also comes in a white double flower and pale pink varieties. Lily of the Valley will also multiply giving you more and more flowering plants as time goes on. Due to its dense content of cardiac glycosides, Lily of the Valley is poisonous if eaten and deer avoid it. In late spring, I enjoy perennial Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) which has ferny green foliage and also comes in many different bloom colors and various heights. I like the Yarrow variety ‘Pink Grapefruit’ because the flowers start out hot pink in the spring then fade

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Young

In the Garden

By Rebecca C. Crow Goochland/Powhatan Master Gardener

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to white in the summer. For summer blooms, try Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.). A North American native perennial, this genus of flowering plants grows in lean soils and may be browsed less due to a lower nitrogen and protein content. The spiny center and the aroma of the plant also make it less desirable to picky deer. Coneflowers come in many different colors; pink, purple, yellow, orange and white. For a deer resistant shrub, I recommend Chinese Fringe Flower (Loropetalum chinense) as it blooms twice in both spring and late summer. The flowers are hot pink and fringy. Even when it isn’t blooming its leaves are a gorgeous dark purple and green. Finally, for winter cheer, there are Hellebores. Hellebores bloom in Central Virginia when there is very little flowering in February. They come in many different colors with flowers that start out with their faces hanging down then turn somewhat upright as they mature. The dark purple speckled Painted Jewels variety, which is about one foot tall, is my favorite. So, when planning your deer resistant landscape, you need to start with plants that are not on their ‘most desirable’ list. To find out what other plants are rarely damaged by deer versus those that are considered ‘deer candy’, you can visit the Rutgers website at https://njaes.rutgers.edu/deer-resistant-plants/ . With the help of this tool you can plan your garden center purchases knowing how likely your new plants are to be on a deer takeout menu. However, please keep in mind that like teenagers, if they are really hungry, deer will eat anything. Rebecca C. Crow is a certified Master Gardener through the Virginia Cooperative Extension and a member of the Goochland Powhatan Master Gardener Association. If you are interested in learning more about GPMGA programs or how to become a master gardener volunteer please visit gpmga.org.

New Mexico, while he attended graduate school. Young most recently served as an Assistant County Administrator for Loudoun County, Virginia, where he oversaw the County community development agencies which included the Departments of Economic Development, Building and Development, Planning and Zoning, and served as the liaison to Virginia Cooperative Extension Loudoun County. “The county received numerous and well qualified applications from throughout the country,” remarked Board Chair Susan F. Lascolette, “Mr. Young distinguished himself throughout the process with his experience in a growing rural locality and his desire to serve.” “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Young and his family to the Goochland com-

munity.” Young was selected after Supervisors initiated a nationwide recruitment effort. “I am very honored, appreciative, and humbled to have been selected to serve as Goochland’s next County Administrator,” said Young. “I look forward to working with the Board of Supervisors, the exceptional staff and community in providing a high performing and customer focused County government, and I am excited to be a part of it.” Prior to his position as Assistant County Administrator, Young served in a series of progressively responsible positions in jurisdictions across the country. Young and his wife Cynthia, who have been married for 25 years, and his daughter Keisha and son Marcus look forward to embracing and becoming active in the Goochland community.

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Website aims to help prevent suicide Contributed Report

As COVID-19 stays topof-mind throughout Virginia, another health crisis continues to surge. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 48,000 Americans died by suicide in 2018, ranking it the nation’s 10th leading cause of death. These numbers represent a staggering 35 percent increase since 1999. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. In addition, Sept. 6 to 12 marks National Suicide Prevention Week. That makes September the ideal time

for all Virginians to become aware of their resources for helping to prevent a suicide. BeWellVA has created a single, easy-to-use source for finding out how to help others who may be considering suicide. Created through a collaboration with central Virginia’s seven Community Services Boards, BeWellVA’s website, BeWellVA.com, offers connections for getting help, learning more about mental health and suicide prevention, attending events and accessing specialized resources for active duty

military and veterans. BeWellVA is an initiative that focuses on bringing awareness to the increasing number of deaths by suicide and promoting wellness for life. It is a collaborative effort of the Community Service Boards from Richmond, Chesterfield, Hanover, the Henrico Area (including New Kent, Charles City), Goochland-Powhatan, District 19 (includes: Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Surry, Sussex, Emporia, Greensville) and Crossroads (Amelia, Buckingham,

Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway, and Prince Edward County). As always, those with thoughts of suicide should call 1-800-273TALK for immediate help. According to Robin Pentecost, Goochland Powhatan Community Services Behavioral Health and Wellness supervisor, one of the BeWellVA collaborative chairpersons, “We want to give ordinary people the confidence, knowledge, and ability to prevent suicides by talking about it and getting others help as soon as possible.”

GOOCHLAND SELF-STORAGE

Residents urged to help stop hunger in Goochland Contributed report

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COVID-19 has made our community more vulnerable to hunger than any time in recent memory. Providing food for our neighbors continues to be critical as the pandemic persists. With ominous and uncertain economic dynamics, we anticipate even more neighbors will be facing insecurity with food and basic needs. September is Hunger Action Month. Local Goochland food pantries need you to take action to fight hunger in our community. Hunger Action Month is an opportunity to join a nationwide movement that has a real lasting impact. Goochland food pantries need your help to feed nearly 2,300 residents including more than 650 children. Whether by advocating to raise awareness, making donations, or volunteering, you can make a difference during Hunger Action Month and every month to help Goochland neighbors in need. Together, we can solve hunger in our community. Every person, regardless

of age, can easily participate. Choose an activity from the “Take Action” list below. Urge your friends, family, neighborhood, class, church group, civic group, or even your employees and customers to become involved. Drop off food donations at your local food pantry or at collection boxes (non-perishable items only) at key locations throughout the county including Essex Bank, EZ Ship (next to Food Lion on Fairground Road), and Goochland Family YMCA. Take action to help solve hunger in our community: Turn orange for hunger relief by wearing the color orange on Hunger Action Day on Thursday, September 10th. Share a picture of your orange style online by using the hashtags #HungerAction and #FeedGoochland. Don’t forget to tag us at @GoochlandCares. Contact your local, state, and federal representatives to encourage them to support anti-hunger initiatives. Volunteer at a local Goochland food pantry and be part of the hunger-relief solution. Share a picture of

your volunteer experience on social media with the hashtags #HungerAction and #FeedGoochland. Don’t forget to tag us at @GoochlandCares. Donate non-perishable food to a local Goochland food pantry. National Food Bank Day is Friday, September 4, and encourages everyone to commit to contributing so no one goes to bed hungry. Provide garden bounty to a local Goochland food pantry. Some local pantries also accept fresh clean eggs. Give monetary contributions to a local Goochland food pantry to assist with purchasing food. GoochlandCares is a private, 501(c)(3), non-profit organization that provides basic human services and health care to our Goochland neighbors in need. Visit www. GoochlandCares.org or contact Adair Frayser, afrayser@ GoochlandCares.org or (804) 556-0301. Check Facebook at www.facebook.com/ GoochlandCares every week for the list of most needed food items for the Food Pantry. For information about

donations and how you can be involved, please contact your nearest Goochland food pantry.

GoochlandCares 2999 River Road West Goochland, VA 23063 (804) 556-6260 tebright@goochlandcares. org

Victory Christian Harvest Food Pantry 2850 Maidens Road Goochland, VA 23063 (804) 556-5700

St. Matthews Church Neighbors Food Pantry 1706 St. Matthews Lane Richmond, VA 23233 (804) 784-3176

Mt. Gilead Baptist 4768 Shannon Hill Road Columbia, VA 23038 (804) 457-2938

Perkins Baptist 3146 Hadensville-Fife RoadGoochland, VA 23063 (804) 338-0505

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OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

Six months in, COVID-19 fight remains part of daily life By Roslyn Ryan Editor

It was a frigid gray morning last February, as my husband and I prepared to embark on a long-awaited week-long cruise vacation with family, that I first heard about the virus. As we eyed the gleaming white ship just a few dozen yards away, all we could think about was spending a few glorious days unencumbered by work, or household chores, or really any responsibilities at all. We were bundled up in heavy coats against the whipping wind, and inching through a seemingly endless line toward the check-in area, when a beleaguered terminal

employee came up and thrust two small slips of paper and two tiny pencils in our direction. On the paper were a few questions about the state of our health and our recent travel, including a query about whether either of us had been to China. China? We hadn’t even been to Chesterfield in what seemed like ages, tied up as we’d both been with various responsibilities close to home. Yes, we’d both dealt with bouts of what felt like the flu in the weeks before we left, but what did it matter? We were both feeling fine. Did they want us to voluntarily step out of line, march back to our car, and skip our vacation because we’d

both — like many millions of other Americans — been sick during flu season? By the time we got back into port a week later, the plight of a handful of stranded passengers on a cruise ship in Japan was making headlines around the world Within just a few weeks after that, the entire world had begun locking down. Depending on when you started counting, it’s been about six months since life as we knew it seemed to sputter and stop, when so many of the things we took for granted were yanked away. The fight against coronavirus has impacted our communities in so

many different ways. But I like to think we’ve come far enough now that some of us can look back and chuckle at some of the less tragic aspects. Remember when we couldn’t find toilet paper? Remember when everyone suddenly developed a passion for making bread from scratch? It would be naïve to say that the effects of COVID-19 will not be around for a very long time, or that the damage that has been done will be easy to repair. But here’s hoping that in another six months, once we have put this crisis even further behind us, we will be looking back in astonishment at how crazy the world was “way back when.”

Looking back: ‘Determinations’ went out on a high note By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

It was soul music’s last gasp in Richmond’s West End. The infamous battle of the bands at Tucker High School in 1968 was a clash of an evolving era of psychedelicinspired music versus the homespun base of Southern culture, soul music. For once in my life, I was on the traditional side of the argument. After beginning my career behind a small set of blue pearl Ludwig

drums at the Parham Teen Club, the stint for The Determinations Band and Show was the culmination of endless nights of compensation-free gigs in less than honorable locations. That didn’t include the months in Beatle boots playing in church social halls. While powerhouses like Stacy Henry and the Majestics and Lil Walter and the Bonnevilles were pounding out the most solid rhythms in the city, The Determinations also found their niche.

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We became a favorite at high school proms and local night clubs like the Black Cat and equally welcomed at fraternity gigs on local campuses, playing to a largely white or mixed audience. I sat happily behind a wall of drums, enjoying the show for several years, thinking I was pretty special and lucky to be part of such a solid rhythm section. And while the other Richmond stalwarts were packing the Mosque Ballroom and Tantilla, we could fill the house at The Sahara Club or

Pink Garter on a Friday, and play a prom at a tony country club that Saturday night. Soul music wasn’t declining in the African American community, and still had a strong following at practically every fraternity house in the country, but the mood in everyday America was changing. And, gradually, groups emerged in the Richmond area who no longer played Motown, or Top 20 for that matter. Groups like Mercy see Band > 13

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS The Gazette welcomes your signed letters to the editor on topics of interest to Goochland residents. Letters must include your address and a daytime telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters. We do not guarantee that every letter received will be published. Letters reflect the opinions and positions of the writers and not The Goochland Gazette. Send letters to: The Goochland Gazette 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, Va. 23116 Fax: (804) 344-8746 E-mail: rryan@goochlandgazette.com © 2020 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.

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Letters to the Editor Solving our problems begins with open and respectful dialogue Dear Editor, You can be anything in this world and I won’t care, in fact, I want you as my friend. Black, white, brown, yellow, gay, straight, redneck fun or snooty cool. I don’t care. If you are fun to be with and can laugh at yourself, bring it on You can be a democrat or republican. Conservative or liberal. But, we have to be able to talk to openly discuss issues and I sure would like to think that we could agree to disagree but meet somewhere in the middle. I post blustery social media posts. I sometimes post stuff about things I can’t stand. Above all I cannot stand folks that cheat and folks that simply don’t respect the rule of law. You don’t have to love my God, my family and my country but you have to respect my love of each and I will respect your differences. In the end the ability to start any relationship with dignity and respect is paramount to preserving a relationship and making a lifelong friend. Honesty, ethics and tolerance all make me a better person. I just have to remind myself of that every single day. America can do so much better. Somewhere there has to be a national celebration of those of us on the left and right that love the rule of law, our country and our way of life There are hundreds of millions of us, left and right ... we can solve big issues and tackle crazy problems. The problem is, is that the folks that have infiltrated our government are not part of us. They have failed and we, left and right leaning, rational, friendly Americans must get them out before we can move forward. This election should be about trysee Letters > page 7

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Letters continued from >6 ing to find ways to preserve and enhance America and our way of life. It should not be about radical change. It should be about making America the place we are proud be from! Mark Smith Crozier

Current riot control measures clearly not getting job done Dear Editor, I am appalled by recent videos of riot control procedures used in the recent urban riots. I taught riot control procedures for 20 years in the National Guard so I know the recent riots could be easily stopped if political, police, and National Guard leaders wanted to stop the riots and used correct procedures. The riot control measures I see on TV at Portland, Chicago, New York and elsewhere are absolutely absurd and clearly not in accordance with published military riot control procedures. What I see on TV is a bunch of Keystone cops running around with Billy clubs just trying to disburse the rioters rather than arrest them in a highly organized manner. And the rioters usually win. The reported arrest numbers at all the recent riots have been ridiculously low considering the damage done. The real problem with controlling the riots is a lack of political will by democrat mayors and governors as an effort to make President Trump look bad to get democrats elected in November. But I see a back fire happening! Remember my April 8 letter predicted the current riots

well before they started. Now my next prediction is that if the government doesn’t stop the riots soon, the right wing militia and vigilante groups will start the control process. Then we will be on the slippery slope to civil war. rs using correct procedures. The ultimate solution to the riot problem falls on judges who should be handing out stiff sentences such as a minimum $1,000 fine and a year in jail with no time off for all captured rioters and much more harsh sentences for arsonists and looters. And it ain’t that hard to tell the difference between a rioter and a peaceful demonstrator. If you throw a rock at a window, you are a rioter, not a demonstrator. A large part of the riot problem is light sentences for rioters handed down by liberal democrat judges with an agenda other than law enforcement or discouraging civil disorder. Which is better, locking up all the rioters, looters and arsonists, or going down the slippery slope to a civil war? Art Bachman Gum Spring

Sierra Club’s past continues to haunt us in the present Dear Editor, The Sierra Club recently issued a mea culpa for John Muir, a Club founder, because of his racist views. In these views he denigrated and discounted indigenous peoples, among others, which helped the Sierra Club and other organizations generate myths associated with our American forests. These myths and the realities include: 1. Myth - American forests were wilderness before European settle-

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OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor ment. Reality - America was only labeled as “wilderness” by European settlers while these forests were home to pre-1491 Native Americans. 2. Myth Before European intervention, America’s forests were pristine and untrammeled. Reality - Recent research emphasizes that eastern forests were used and shaped by indig-

“America was only labeled as ‘wilderness’ by European settlers while these forests were home to pre-1491 Native Americans.” enous peoples for thousands of years. 3. Myth - Forests should consist mainly of old, big trees with closed canopies. Reality Lightening and human caused fire created dynamically diverse forests in age-class and structure for thousands of years before European settlement. These myths form a foundation for the Sierra Club and similar organizations to “protect” our public forests by resisting national forest management, especially sustainable timber harvests. These organizations are likely helping damage our aging public forests by choking out diversity — especially critical young forest growth. These myths, based on discounting indigenous peoples and their influence, present an example of how one man’s racism can lead an organization astray. To what degree will the Sierra

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Club now respond by advocating for sustainable national forest management (including our George Washington and Jefferson National Forest) to restore a historical range of diversity essential to forest health, resiliency and habitat for hundreds of wildlife species? Simply apologizing for past racists won’t correct current positions based on racist beliefs. Wayne Thacker Bumpass

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Library hosting virtual storytime Contributed report

The Goochland County Library will be hosting Storytime @ Home from Tuesday, Sept. 8 through Saturday, Dec. 5. A daily online Storytime will be posted to the library’s website at https://tinyurl.com/ prlstorytime, MondaySaturday at 10 a.m. and on the library’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/

PamunkeyLibrary/) at 11 a.m. Each Storytime features stories, songs, and fun, ageappropriate learning activities. Check the calendar at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/ to see more virtual programs for all ages this fall. For more information, call your local branch library or email ask@pamunkeylibrary.org.

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County accepting applications for ‘Back to Business’ grant program Contributed report

Goochland County and Goochland Economic Development are excited to announce the Goochland Back to Business grant program is now accepting applications to help support local businesses during the ongoing pandemic. The application portal opened on August 20, 2020

and will remain open until December 1, 2020 or until funds are depleted. The Goochland County Board of Supervisors approved and appropriated funds for the new grant program at their meeting on August 4, 2020. The Goochland Back to Business Grant is funded by a portion of the CARES

Act funding that Goochland received from the state. It is focused on reimbursing businesses the cost of complying with the Governor’s guidelines related to reopening businesses. Allowable reimbursements can include: Redesign of structure or operations to meet social distancing requirements. Personal Protection

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Equipment (PPE) and/or sanitation supplies for the business and its employees. Signage. Thermometers to check temperatures. Protective equipment for customers such as sneeze guards, social distance floor stickers, etc. Technological improvements (such as e-commerce platforms and point of sale software) and technological equipment (such as tablets for processing touch-free orders). Supplies related to change in operations, i.e. takeout/carryout containers for restaurants. Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 and are based on the number of employees and documented reimbursable expenses. 1 - 25: up to $5,000 26 - 49: up to $8,000 50 - 150: up to $10,000

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All for-profit businesses with 1-150 employees with documented expenses may apply. Businesses must be in business over 1-year, with principal place of business physically in

Goochland County, and have a valid business license (or be exempt from requirement). Independent contractor and sole proprietors are eligible as well. They must live in Goochland County, operate their business as sole proprietor, pay self-employment tax, not currently receiving unemployment benefits, and must be issued a valid 2020 Business license (or be exempt from requirement). Grants will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis based on a fully completed application with documented reimbursement requests. Businesses may apply more than once if they make additional purchases. The amount of grant money available for businesses with 50-150 employees is capped at $50,000. Once $50,000 has been disbursed, no further grants will be given for businesses with 50-150 employees. The following documents will be required for application: Impact Statement of negative effect from Executive Order 53 and COVID-19 on

applicant business C o p y / Ve r i f i c a t i o n of 2020 business license with Goochland County’s Commissioner of the Revenue (if required) Completed W-9 form Financial documentation of expenses incurred and paid for by the applicant as a result of the State of Emergency declared by the Governor of Virginia and the Goochland County Board of Supervisors, such as receipts/ invoices/bank statements for expenses and proof of payment. The application portal opened on August 20, 2020 and will remain open until December 1, 2020 or until funds are depleted. All Goochland businesses are encouraged to visit http:// www.GoochlandForBusiness. com/241/COVID-19Business-Information, call Goochland County Economic Development at (804) 556-5862 or email them at GochlandForBusiness@ goochlandva.us to learn more about how the Goochland Back to Business grant can assist their business.

Relay hosting drive-thru luminaria Contributed report

COVID has cancelled many activities, but it has not cancelled cancer. And yet, sadly, the COVID pandemic has led to many fundraising events for the American Cancer Society (ACS) being restructured or even cancelled. The ACS provides much-needed support, supplies, and information for cancer survivors and caregivers, but the organization needs help to continue those services. Simply put, say organizers, the group’s mission is at risk and in danger of los-

ing a generation of progress in research and treatments. Projected revenue for the year has declined by a third, representing more than $200 million. In light of this, the ACS is calling on its dedicated Relay For Life family to join them in recovering some of the fundraising revenue lost to the pandemic and some of the hope for brighter times. How can you help? By visiting www.RelayForLife.org/ GoochlandVA and purchasing a luminaria in honor or memory of your loved one.

Each year, the American Cancer Society invests $100 million in new research. Because of the budget shortfall, however, cancer research funding could be cut by 50 percent this year. Fortunately, while the pandemic may have forced a change in some plans, there will still be an opportunity to come together in a drivethru fashion. On Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., members of the Relay family and the communities see Luminaria > page 14

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Goochland twins representing Veritas soccer in goal By Nick Vandeloecht Sports Editor

MANAKIN-SABOT – Alden and Eliza Sweeney have a good bit in common. The rising Veritas School seniors and twin siblings from Goochland have grown up playing a variety of sports, including basketball, and they both like to do mountain biking, as well as kayaking and rock climbing. But one of the main commonalities they share is that they both play in goal on their respective soccer teams. Of all the sports they’ve played, both Alden and Eliza consider soccer their favorite. “I’ve done it for so long; I do it for fall for club and then spring for Veritas, so I’ve always done soccer . . . I can’t really imagine not playing soccer,” said Eliza, who plays for Veritas School and the Richmond Strikers. “There’s always some type of soccer going on in our family.” Alden, who plays for Veritas and FC Richmond, noted that the competition and playing in goal have helped make soccer his favorite. He is striving to play at the collegiate level. Both Alden and Eliza spoke to being strong at shot-stopping in goal and organizing and directing their teams’ back lines. Alden said they play the position fairly similarly. “Let’s say there’s a through ball: instead of coming out for a really tough 50-50, we’d rather sit back and take the shot,” Alden said. Alden also spoke to being able to play out from the back, and to improving on his distribution – which he said used to be his worst attribute – to the point that it’s become his best. He keeps a bag of soccer balls in his car, and he’s gone out and honed in on that skill on his own, especially this past winter. Playing the larger neighboring Division I private

about great saves they made in previous games. Alden will also sometimes help Eliza warm up before her games, which Eliza said is helpful since Alden, being a fellow goalkeeper, knows how to help her get ready for a match. Alden and Eliza’s older sister, Maya Sweeney, was the first one of the three to play club soccer. She also helped bring out Alden’s competitive side. He would be driven to try and keep up with her or surpass her in a variety of ways, from workouts to healthy eating. While Alden said he’s very competitive with soccer, Eliza said she feels like she plays it more for fun. But she does get competitive with her brother when they’re out mountain biking. “I feel like it makes me very competitive and willing to push myself out of what I’m most comfortable with, especially when I go riding with him,” said Eliza. “If I normally go a little slower, then I’ll go riding with him and go a lot faster and try new skills, try to keep up.” She recently competed in a mountain biking race at Pocahontas State Park, and she was signed up to do another one before that race got rained out. But she and Alden mainly do mountain biking for fun. Alden tries to do it when he has free time. He likes to make trails in the woods, and while he usually works on them during the winter, he kicked it up a notch during the COVID-19 shutdown. With mountain biking, Alden likes going fast – as well as “getting big air,” according to his sister Eliza – and he Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette also likes how creative you can Twins Alden and Eliza Sweeney, from Goochland, are both goalies on their Veritas School soccer teams. get with the sport, especially schools has led to valuable Virginia Independent Schools have been able to share their Veritas soccer team, of which when riding downhill. “If there’s a jump,” he said, gametime experience and Athletic Association (VISAA). knowledge and expertise with their dad, Sterling Sweeney, is “you can do anything off of And thanks to their years their Veritas teammates. Alden the coach. competition for both goalies, Alden has also given Eliza whose school, Veritas, is cate- of playing soccer, including has even helped coach one of gorized into Division II of the travel, both Alden and Eliza the other goalkeepers on Eliza’s tips, and they’ll tell each other see Twins> 10

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Twins continued from >9 it, and there are just a lot of options.” Of the two, Eliza is more of the endurance athlete. “I think cross country has kind of trained me to like endurance sports better,” she said. Last year, Eliza and her Veritas teammates won the VISAA Division II girls cross country team state championship, the second for the girls team in the last three years. “Going into it, we were really well-prepared and knew it was definitely a possibility,” Eliza said. She also finished in the top 15 in last fall’s League of Independent Schools cross country meet. “I think cross country is more of a team sport than people think,” Eliza said. “Cross country’s really hard, and that kind of brings us together, too. We know we’re all putting in the same amount of work, whether we’re getting different times; we know we’re all trying really hard. Eliza has also run for Veritas’ track and field program, competing in the 1600-meter and 3200 distance runs and in the 4x400 and 4x800 relay races. It was Maya, a cross country and track and field athlete at Appalachian State University, who got Eliza into running. She and Maya will

Contributed Photos (photo at right by Long Nguyen)

From left: Eliza and Alden Sweeney ride together on a trail at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield; Alden Sweeney blocks a shot while defending in goal.

sometimes run together when Maya is home. “I probably wouldn’t have done cross country if it wasn’t for her,” Eliza said of Maya. For this fall, Eliza and her cross country team are currently slated to compete in meets, and there’s still hope that Alden and his Veritas boys soccer team will play before the calendar year ends. While Eliza doesn’t expect to compete at the collegiate level, she said she’ll keep run-

ning and also playing soccer, possibly on a club team, after high school. Her Veritas soccer team once made the state tournament during her career, and she and her teammates were able to play one regular-season game together in 2020. While their opponent, larger Division I school Trinity Episcopal, won 4-0, Eliza and her teammates held the Titans to 1-0 at the half, and she felt the game went really well. “Our team just played super

well together, especially for our first game,” said Eliza, who played in goal the whole time. She added: “We were all super excited for the season.” Eliza feels that losing the rest of that season due to the COVID-19 shutdown is going to make her upcoming senior season next spring a lot more memorable. “It was sad that I won’t get to play with the seniors who graduated this year,” she said. Contributed Photo “But the rest of our team is Eliza Sweeney runs in a cross country meet for Veritas. still super excited.”

BRIEFLY NASCAR Richmond Raceway races to run without fans in stands NASCAR will run four races across its three top national touring series at Richmond Raceway the weekend of Sept. 12 without fans in attendance. “This was a difficult decision, but due to the COVID19 pandemic we believe at this time it is in the best inter-

ests of the local community to host races without fans,” said Richmond Raceway President Dennis Bickmeier. “We are grateful for the patience and support of our long-time loyal fans in this unprecedented season, but we will unite over race weekend as we tune in to the national broadcasts on NBCSN, FS1, and MRN to watch NASCAR’s best compete in four races over three days at America’s Premier

Short Track.” The 0.75-mile short track will first host the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series’ regular season finale on Thursday, Sept. 10, 8 p.m., on FS1. This is the first time since 2005 that the Truck Series will race in Richmond. The truck race will be followed by consecutive NASCAR Xfinity Series races, with the Go Bowling 250 running at 7:30 p.m. on Friday,

Sept. 11, and the Racing Lovers 250 to be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. Both races will air on NBCSN. The nightcap on Saturday will be the NASCAR Cup Series’ Federated Auto Parts 400, the second race in the first round of the playoffs, at 7:30 p.m. The Cup Series race will also air on NBCSN. NASCAR’s 16 drivers in the Cup playoffs are Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin,

Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, William Byron, Austin Dillon, Cole Custer, Aric Almirola, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Clint Bowyer and Matt DiBenedetto.

4-1-1 and extend their win streak to four straight games. Emiliano Terzaghi footed in teammate Matt Bolduc’s kick to give his Kickers a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute and score his fifth goal in six games played. After Greenville tied the match in the 29th minute, Ryley Kraft scored the go-ahead goal Four wins in a row moments before the half. The Kickers will play Tucson The Richmond Kickers on Saturday defeated Greenville on the road at 10:30 p.m. on Triumph SC to improve to Saturday, Sept. 5, Eastern Time.

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