The Goochland Gazette – 12/24/2020 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE EVERYTHING MUST GO:

When eateries close business founded in Goochland steps in > page 3

Volume 65, Number 51 • Dec. 24, 2020

Man with ties to Benedictine charged after tip about child pornography Contributed report

Photo by Chris Elford

Above, the Broad Street Rd. building where restaurateurs Adam Hall and Sara Kerfoot recently opened their new venture, The Feed Store. Right, Hall hard at work at the smoker.

Smoke ON THE HORIZON Couple’s new venture bringing sweet smell of barbecue back to former Maidens general store

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Chef Adam Hall and his wife Sara Kerfoot knew for years that they wanted to open a barbecue spot, picturing a friendly, low-key kind of place where they could share their love of smoked ribs, chicken and more with customers. And while other pursuits took center stage for a few years, last spring the stars finally seemed to align.

Seeing a “For Rent” in the window of a former general store on Route 250, the couple decided it was time. “We knew that if we didn’t jump see Barbecue > page 5

HOME SAFES & GUN SAFES!

Virginia Wayside Furniture A Fine Furniture & In terior DesignStore

The Ultimate Safety Deposit Box – In Your Home.

10500 Patterson Avenue | 804-740-3124 | Open Mon thru Sat 9-5 | Closed Sun and Dec 24 & 25 www.vawayside.net

On Wednesday, Dec.16, 2020, the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), in collaboration with Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Benedictine Abbey, located at 12829 River Road in Goochland County. After receiving a tip from Facebook regarding child pornography, a GCSO Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children taskforce member led the investigation resulting in the search warrant. In the process of executing Costa the search warrant, 2 cell phones and a laptop computer were recovered. Rinku Costa, 32 of Bangladesh, has been charged with one felony count of possession

Over 20 On Display! All Sizes and Colors.

see Arrest > page 2

Delivery and Set-up Available!

Thursday

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

December 24, 2020

GOOCHLAND SELF-STORAGE

81827-01

Located at Oilville exit on Rt. 617

www.goochlandselfstorage.com

Elrod & Dunham

Dentistry

Elrod and Dunham Dentistry welcomes new patients with comprehensive, gentle dental care for all ages.

As always, the safety of our staff and patients is our top priority. Several measures have been put in place to ensure a safe and healthy office environment. We cannot express how elated we are to see all of your smiles again! Oral health is an essential factor to your overall health. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your appointment, please do not hesitate to call us.

We are ALWAYS here for you!! We look forward to meeting your dental health needs. 7516 Right Flank Rd., 2979 River Road W. Mechanicsville, VA 23116 Goochland, VA 23063 (804)-746-1300 (804) 556-2530 elroddunhamdentistry.net

Advertise In The Goochland Gazette! Call 804-746-1235 for details.

SPORTS

Photos submitted by Julie Lawrence

The Goochland County Animal Shelter currently has the following pets available to a good home: A sweet spayed female hound, about 6-8 years old; a lovable neutered male hound, about 4-6 years old; and two female brown tabbies, about 5 months old. The shelter is located at 1900 Hidden Rock Lane, in Goochland, and 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.”

Wednesday last day to apply for assistance on utility bills Contributed report

Elrod & Dunham Dentistry wants to say THANK YOU for your continued support and confidence in us as your dental healthcare provider during the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic.

www.goochlandgazette.com

Pets of the week

Clean Storage Facilities at a Convenient Location • 6 sizes available • From $59 a month • On call 7 days a week • Conditioned units available

Oilville Business Park • 784-4949

Want more? Visit us on the web at

The Goochland County Department of Public Utilities has received funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to help customers who have been unable to pay their water and sewer bill due to COVID-19 related circumstances. Those with a current utility account balance greater than 30 days old who would like to become eligible to receive a portion of this relief funding are asked to complete and return a Customer Intake Application no later than Wednesday, December 23, 2020 (today). The completed application can be returned to the Department of Public Utilities office in the following ways: Mailed to PO Box 119, Goochland, VA 23063

Arrest continued from >1 of child pornography and nine felony counts of second or subsequent offense possession of child pornography. Per a U.S. Work Visa, Costa was a postulant with Benedictine Abbey. He is

Dropped off at their office at 1800 Sandy Hook Road, Goochland, VA 23063, Suite 280. Emailed to utilities@goochlandva.us Please know that these funds are limited and will be allocated to customers on a prorated basis, dependent upon the total amount of applications submitted. Once all customer applications are collected, the Department of Public Utilities will notify each customer of the amount of relief they are eligible to receive. In the meantime, feel free to contact the office at (804) 556-5835 or email utilities@goochlandva.us with any questions. The COVID-19 Utility Bill Relief Program Customer Intake Application forms can also be accessed at https://www.goochlandva.us/ CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=531.

currently being held with a $15,000 bond at the Henrico County Jail. Benedictine Abbey and Benedictine Schools of Richmond are cooperating fully with Goochland County Sheriff ’s Office in this investigation. This is still an active investigation. Currently there is

no indication of local victim or student involvement. If anyone has information regarding this case, please contact Lt. C. Henley or Investigator H. Ritter with the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office at (804) 5565349 or the Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at (804) 7801000.

Benedictine a winner in new gymnasium PAGE 10 Library Calendar.................... 4 Classifieds ........................... 14 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

Thursday

December 24, 2020

Want more? Visit us on the web at

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

www.goochlandgazette.com

Everything must go

Auction company founded in Goochland stays busy as restaurants close their doors

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

ypically, by the time Steve DiNisio shows up at a restaurant with his crew and his trucks, the party is over. As a licensed auctioneer specializing in restaurant liquidation, DiNisio spends the majority of his days working in and around dining establishments of all kinds, from small “Mom and Pop” operations to big-name chains. Through his company, At Your Bidding, DiNisio has seen plenty of ups and downs in the industry. He’s witnessed spectacular successes over the years, but plenty of sad stories as well. As expected, DiNisio tends to be busier when the economy heads south, as restaurant owners either choose to close down their operations or are forced into it. During the economic crisis of 2008, for example, his business definitely picked up. But even with the comparatively sky-high failure rate typically seen in the restaurant industry, DiNisio says for the past 12 years his workload has been reasonably predictable from year to year. Then, in February, came COVID-19, and with it an apocalyptic scenario for the hospitality industry. Shuttered dining rooms and emptied office buildings may not have meant instant death for restaurants and other food service operations, but for many it dealt a mortal blow. While some owners have tried to weather the storm by leaning on takeout, expanding outdoor dining areas and applying for grant funding, thousands of others have had no other option but to call it quits. According to a report released earlier this month by the National Restaurant Association more than 110,000 restaurants have closed since

the start of the pandemic. When those closures happen, it’s often left to auction companies to pack up and get rid of the hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment and supplies each business has accumulated, everything from walk-in coolers to plates and silverware. For DiNisio, the impact of COVID-19 has meant that the three or four calls a month he was getting this time last year have now turned into eight or 10, and his days are spent working to juggle the influx of new business. One day might see him meeting with a potential new client, and the next he and his staff are packing up a different location and readying inventory for auction. Back when he and his former business partner first started the company back in 2003 in his partner’s Goochland garage, the two spent their days going to auctions and selling their finds on eBay. These days, now on his own, DiNisio is cognizant of the fact that he owns one of the rare companies whose bottom line has actually been helped by the pandemic, and insists that watching people face the

closure of their businesses is always difficult. “That’s the part of the job I hate,” DiNisio says. Most people have no idea what goes into creating a successful restaurant, he explains. “You’re basically married to it. You have to be there all the time, you have to watch every aspect of it, from the daily operations to the staff—you really have to be totally invested.” When that investment doesn’t pay off, it can be particularly devastating. Most people starting a restaurant don’t think about the day when they might have to close it, DiNisio says. When that time comes, he helps them put a game plan together and tries to make the process as streamlined and easy as possible. While he is officially there in the role of auctioneer, “part of my job is kind of like a counselor,” says DiNisio. “Maybe sometimes you have an owner who made all the money he wanted and just wants to retire, but usually that’s not the case.

Many of these people are going through a grieving process.” While the rollout of vaccines has offered a glimmer of hope for many, the outlook for restaurants in the immediate future remains grim. There will almost certainly be more closures ahead — and fewer days off for Steve DiNisio. Last Friday saw him working late yet again, without the likelihood of much downtime on the horizon. “I don’t know if the numbers are going to go up,” he said of the closures. “But I don’t think that they are going to go down any time soon.”

WE ARE NOW OPEN

ON SUNDAYS from 11:30 - 8:00! Please join us. Featuring Brunch items from 11:30 - 2:30

1601 Hockett Rd. Manakin Sabot, VA

Thursday

December 24, 2020

Want more? Visit us on the web at

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

www.goochlandgazette.com

Library Calendar

Kitchens/Baths Patios/Decks New Construction Doors/Windows Sidewalks/Pavers Remodels/Additions

Greg 804-457-9426 20 YearsBlanchard Carpentry Experience VA Lic. 27505-093745-A

Blanchard & Associates 804-457-9426 Greg VA Lic. 27505-093745-A 20 YearsBlanchard Carpentry Experience Residential Contractor, Inc.

Send news tips to Roslyn Ryan at rryan@goochlandgazette.com. Our

Second Century — Established 1897 — Charles D. Morehead, President and General Manager

Bennett West • Henrico 11020 West Broad Street

Henrico’s families have trusted Bennett Funeral Homes in their time of need for an entire century.

359-4481 • www.bennettfuneralhomes.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! C Resident and Real Estate CALL Broker DEBRA! Specializing in Rural Property for Over 30 Years Debra Hoffman, Associate Broker OFFICE: 347-3878 debra.hoffman@penfedrealty.com

Advertise In The Goochland Gazette! Call 804-746-1235 for details.

The Pamunkey Regional Library will be offering the following virtual programs on Zoom in January. For more information on any of these programs, or if you have a special physical or communication need, please contact ask@pamunkeylibrary.org. All branches of the Pamunkey Regional Library will be closed on Friday, Jan.1.

virtual cat café! Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/ event/7336636. This virtual program is hosted through Zoom and the meeting link will be sent to the email registered one day before the event occurs.

CoderDojo Workshop

Saturday, Jan. 30, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Those ages 13-19 will learn how to build a game, website, or program at a CoderDojo workshop! Go to https:// Saturday, Jan. 9, 11 a.m. - noon Participants will take a look at plants pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/ to fill out a native to this area that can easily be survey form to sign up. This program is incorporated into ornamental gardens. hosted on Discord. Presented by Pat Lust, Master Gardener, Goochland Powhatan Master Gardener Association. Registration is required On Demand Videos at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/ event/7333961. This virtual program is Storytime for Grown-ups hosted through Zoom and the meetPremieres Wednesday, Jan. 13 ing link will be sent to the email regisStorytime is not just for kids! If you tered one day before the event occurs. For like to be read to, join us for a reading of more information or if you have a special “Where the Tides Ebb and Flow” by Lord physical or communication need, please Dunsany. For ages 18 and up. Starting Jan. contact ask@pamunkeylibrary.org. 13, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/ pamunkeylibrary or https://tinyurl.com/ prladults to see the video. Atlee Virtual Book Club

Introducing Native Plants to Your Garden

Wednesday, Jan. 13, 11 a.m. - noon Take part in a discussion of “Map of the Heart” by Susan Wiggs. Stop by your local branch library to pick up a copy or place one on hold or download it from hoopla as an ebook or audiobook. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary. libcal.com/event/7342301. This program is hosted virtually through Zoom and the meeting link will be sent to the email registered one day before the event occurs.

Kids’ Lego Club Friday, Jan. 22, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Kids in grades K-5 can meet other Lego fans and talk about their current creations, showing off what they’ve made and asking questions, too. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/event/7336663. This program is hosted virtually through Zoom.

Virtual Teen Cat Cafe

tube.com/user/pamunkeylibrary or https://tinyurl.com/prladults to see the video and get a list of resources with helpful tips and tricks.

Jack & the Beanstalk Premieres Thursday, Jan. 28 Pick up your lima beans at the Mechanicsville Branch Library while supplies last from Jan. 25-28. This event is for kids aged 5-10. Starting Jan. 28, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/pamunkeylibrary or https://tinyurl.com/prlchildrens to see our read-along video and find out how to grow your own beans.

Take & Makes Coding Ciphers Pickup on Wednesday, Jan. 20 Do you like cracking a secret code? How about creating one? Pick up your coding cipher kit at the Mechanicsville Branch Library at 7461 Sherwood Crossing Place on Wednesday, Jan. 20 from 10a.m. - 6 p.m. and give it a try! This event is for students in grades K-5.

Scarf Wearing Workshop

Friday Arts & Crafts

Premieres Saturday, Jan. 16 Explore fresh ways to wear scarves this winter, and learn how to dress up your winter wardrobe in a variety of ways. Starting Jan. 16, go to https://www. youtube.com/user/pamunkeylibrary or https://tinyurl.com/prladults to see the video.

Pickup on Friday, Jan. 22 This month’s take & make craft for adults is an origami gift card holder with detailed instructions included. Starting Jan. 22, stop by the Mechanicsville Branch Library at 7461 Sherwood Crossing Place to pick up your kit while supplies last.

Day in the Life: Librarians

National Seed Swap Day

Premieres Monday, Jan. 18 Have you ever wondered what librarians do every day? Watch our first “Day in the Life” series episode to hear all about your librarians at Pamunkey Regional Library! Starting Jan. 18, go to https:// www.youtube.com/user/pamunkeylibrary or https://tinyurl.com/prlchildrens to see the video.

Saturday Jan. 30 The Library and the Hanover Master Gardeners Association are partnering for National Seed Swap Day 2021! Please register at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/event/7342532 to reserve your Seed Swap Day kit, to be picked up on Jan. 30 at the Mechanicsville Branch Library. Kits include a Capital Region Native Plant Guide, a catalog from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Virginia Cooperative Extension publications on seeds and germination, a resource list of websites for information and supplies, and at least three packets of seeds per kit (vegetable and flower).

Bullet Journaling

Premieres Monday, Jan. 18 Start the New Year with a new tool! Tuesday, Jan. 26, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Learn the basics of bullet journaling to Those ages 11-18 will have the chance help you be creative and get organized. to show off their pets at the library’s Starting Jan. 18, go to https://www.you-

Thursday

December 24, 2020

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

Property Transfers 12209 Bremner Ridge Circle, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to James M. Alsop, $634,525. 3539 Broad Street Road, Gum Spring; Mary L. Richardson to Erin Elizabeth Estep, $245,000. 1975 Covington Road, Crozier; Waltraud M. Long to John Goodale, $451,500. 424 Dellbrooks Way, Richmond; George Kevin Bruce to Shane M. Maley, $600,000. 4240 Hadensville Farm Road, Mineral; Michele Laaksonen to Jason Shane Townsend, $412,000.

Photo by Chris Elford

Sara Kerfoot and Adam Hall named their restaurant in honor Lacy’s Feed Store, which once occupied their current building.

Barbecue continued from >1 on this we might not ever get another chance,” said Sara one recent Friday, as she and her husband wrapped up another busy week in their new restaurant, dubbed The Feed Store in an homage to its former incarnation as Lacy’s Feed Store back when Sara was a kid growing up in Goochland. “We wanted to call to the history of the building and what it was in this community so ‘The Feed Store’ made sense,” she says. “Of course, now we are selling feed of a different kind.” This is not the couple’s first foray into the food world: During their eight years at the helm of the award-winning Richmond restaurant Saison, where Hall served as head chef and Kerfoot as General Manager, the establishment garnered multiple Elby awards and the Best Burger in Virginia from the Food Network. While Hall has made a name for himself as an adventurous chef, he says the food at the

Feed Store will be traditional Virginia/ East Carolina barbecue. “We are very much about the quality of meats and quality of smoke first and foremost,” he says. “That’s our focus more than, say, going crazy with a lot of different sauces or wild ingredients.” For proteins, expect pulled pork, St. Louis ribs, smoked half chickens, and smoked turkey breast. Sides are mostly traditional, but expect some of that adventurous flavor to pop up in specials like house-made sausages and prime rib. “We want to get to know what the community wants first,” Kerfoot says, since “part of being hospitable is meeting folks where they are and throwing the party for them.” No stranger to the tantalizing smell of a smoking meat, the location of the couple’s new venture had most recently been home to Piedmont Smokehouse, which closed its doors last year. Just across the road, the Hickory Notch Grill served up award-winning ‘cue for nearly two decades before closing its doors a few years ago.

Now, as the couple puts their own stamp on the Goochland food scene, both admit that the ongoing pandemic has thrown a few curveballs their way. The biggest challenge, Sara says, is that staying with a take-out only model for now means not being able to get immediate feedback from customers. That doesn’t mean that people have been shy about sharing their thoughts on the topic of barbecue, a style of cooking that always manages to inspire passionate — albeit usually friendly — debate. But even while some visitors may have been hesitant to try a style of barbecue they aren’t used to, the two say the community has been nothing short of welcoming as they continue to refine their menu and learn what their customers want. “Everyone has been so lovely,” said Sara. “I anticipated people would be happy to see us open, but the way they have welcomed us with open arms has been really, really nice.” The Feed Store, located at 2030 Broad Street Rd in Maidens, is open from 11 a.m.-

7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon – 3 p.m. Sunday. The store can be reached at (804) 556-0435.

Beulah to host Christmas Eve service All are invited to join the congregation of Beulah Baptist Church in Kents Store (1633 Kents Store Way) for the church’s annual

H G U O , N E RE! A BIG SERVTE C O TO GH NOU

L SMA

617 Joe Brooke Lane, Manakin Sabot; Sean P. Ducharme to John E. Shelton Jr., $1,150,000. 717 Manakin Road, Manakin Sabot; W. Lee Bradley Jr. to William Dickerson, $615,000. 4763 Shannon Hill Road, Columbia; Charles J. Ferrell to Christian P. Napoli Jr., $237,900. 4962 Three Chopt Road, Louisa; David Lowmaster to Alfonso H. Valencia, $263,500. 1429 Windsor Way, Manakin Sabot; Mark Resnick to Chase Hope Wilson, $705,000.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24. COVID safety protocols will be in place.

E N A OP

235 3 4 ) 55 (804

Special Offer!

$25 OFF YOUR FIRST PROPANE DELIVERY* CHECK OUT ANY ONE OF OUR 1000s OF ONLINE REVIEWS! CONNECT:

* Minimum of 150 gallons; Not valid with any other offer or on previous purchases.

VISIT:

WWW.ASKWOODFIN.COM/propane

Thursday

December 24, 2020

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

The Holiday Table

Salad daze: For the indecisive, a kale of a problem to confront By Roslyn Ryan Editor

t was a bitterly cold and rainy December evening about a week ago, with a pre-Christmas dinner party looming, that I realized I had a kale prob-

lem. Not a problem exactly, but more like the kind of situation where a person starts out doing something fairly straightforward—in my case putting together a dinner menu—and somehow manages to overthink, overcomplicate, and overemphasize the task until outright decision-making paralysis settles in and absolutely nothing gets done. In this instance I was trying to figure out what kind of salad to serve my guests, whom I dearly loved and wanted to make happy. And, darn it, if I was going to make them a salad to go with dinner it was going to be the best salad I could possibly make, something that would communicate both my love and admiration for them as well as the fact that I am not the kind of hostess who careens through the grocery store produce section at the last minute and snatches up some bargain bag of wilted iceberg.

Editorial & Business Office and Mailing Address: 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, VA 23116 Phone – (804) 746-1235 Toll free – (877) 888-0449 Fax – (804) 344-8746 Online: www.goochlandgazette.com

Publisher Managing Editor Editor

Joy Monopoli

jmonopoli@RSNVA.com

Melody Kinser

mkinser@mechlocal.com

Roslyn Ryan

rryan@gooochlandgazette.com

Sports Editor

Nick Vandeloecht

nvandeloecht@powhatantoday.com

Production Manager

Denine D’Angelo

ddangelo@mechlocal.com

Sales Representative

Tom Haynie

thaynie@mechlocal.com

Cindy Adams

cgrant@mechlocal.com

Classifieds

This salad, in short, had to be perfect. The only issue was that, when a person who is not sure of how to make a perfect salad attempts to look up on the Internet “how to make a perfect salad,” they are almost instantly presented with 4.6 million different recipes, suggestions and reviews, some—but not all—of which involve kale. Kale, as it turns out, is somewhat controversial (as an early Christmas present to yourself, just Google “I hate kale.” You won’t be sorry). I soon learned there was a good chance at least one of my guests would hate it, even it was mixed liberally with radicchio and baby greens, a recipe one person claiming to be a former celebrity chef (I looked at his profile and have my doubts) said was a can’t-miss option for creating a truly show-stopping salad. It looked good, but I was still on the fence, and I hadn’t even begun to consider croutons. Sweet baby Jesus, what about croutons?! Maybe you too have faced this kind of holiday issue. Maybe in your case it was not about kale or croutons, but rather about some other thing that managed to grab hold of your better judgement and haul you down some Pinterest rabbit hole for far more time than any reasonable person would spend — a search see Dinner > 7

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

For many of us, memories still found hanging from Christmas tree’s branches By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

One of my favorite moments of the Christmas season is the quiet minutes spent sitting on the sofa and staring at the lighted tree in our living room. It’s the peace and solitude that only colorful lights and an array of ornaments can provide. As my eyes wander from each ornament to the next, I realize that each of them holds special significance and symbolizes a unique memory or experience. I suppose this also answers a mystery I could never solve as a child. As the season approached, my father would go to the attic and retrieve several huge boxes of decorations. Most of them never made it to the tree, replaced by shinier or more up-to-date ornaments, but any thought of getting rid

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.

of them was unheard of. I now understand why all those old ornaments, tiny sleds made of papier mache or faded Santas with yellowed beards, could not be discarded. Each of those held a special memory for my parents or our childhood, and their shape or experience was less importance than the memories they evoked. It’s less true today as families decorate trees with the latest decorations, and the question of icicles or not doesn’t resonate with today’s interpretation of tree decorating. Even with an appropriate appreciation for things past and events recalled, some of those items have made their way to the bottom of our single Christmas decoration box. They, too, suffer the annual indignity of being excluded from the varsity ornaments that made the cut. But, they too, return to storage each year, much too valuable for refuse, and each year I recognize fewer and fewer of the ornaments on our tree. But sitting there admiring the serenity of a lit Christmas tree, I took notice of a few that seem to return each year. A small embroidered model of a farm is one of my kids’ favorites, and they always ask about its origin. It’s a memory of an old girlfriend and summers spent on a farm in see Tree > page 7

Thursday

December 24, 2020

Want more? Visit us on the web at

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

www.goochlandgazette.com

Haacke-Golden joins PartnerMD’s GreenGate practice Contributed report

PartnerMD is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Eric Haacke-Golden. Dr. HaackeGolden is a family doctor and will join PartnerMD’s newest Richmond location in the GreenGate development. He will officially start in early 2021.

Dinner continued from >6 for the perfect gift-wrapping technique, perhaps, or how to make your Christmas tree look like Beyoncé’s (guilty on that one too). I wish I could say I finally came to my senses, threw over-analyzation out the window, and just made some

Tree continued from >6 the Midwest and the many friends who made those days well worth an ornament. Other items are not so subtle. A pair of bongo drums and a golden Little Drummer Boy are all attached to my lifelong association with drums. Although it’s been months since I held a drum stick in my hand, the influence and effect of music and the community that dwell in it has greatly enhanced my well-being. Even the bulbed lights reminiscent of a past era are a special reminder of memories long ago when my father would sort through endless cords of tiny mazda-styled lights. It was an annual source of irritation for him, and, each year, he pledged to trash the ancient lights. Turns out, the lights had their own badge of honor, purchased when my father was discharged from the Army following World

Dr. Haacke-Golden becomes the fourth doctor at PartnerMD’s GreenGate location, which opened on September 15. He joins Dr. Liz Bigelow, Dr. Mark Petrizzi, and Dr. Barry Wein at the office. He previously owned his own practice, Virginia Family Physicians,

for 14 years before moving the practice to Commonwealth Primary Care in 2016. “I’ve strived to provide concierge-level care to my patients for my entire career,” Dr. Haacke-Golden said. “But in today’s healthcare environment, that’s not always possible for

deliciously simple dish that I hoped my guests would love. I’d like to proclaim that I realized what a waste it is to worry over things that don’t matter that much in the grand scheme, and learned to focus instead on what a blessing it is to have food on your table and friends to sit around it with you. Instead, I ended up doing

a bit of both, obsessing over plenty of things but letting others be what they would be. Dinner turned out just fine, and it was a delightful evening full of perfectly decent food and the kind of laughs that make your sides hurt until the next day. Oh, and the salad? Reader, it was iceberg. And it was delicious.

War II and accepted a job as a manger of a Western Auto Store in Pensacola, Florida. Long story short, those lights were purchased at his store in Florida and adorned my parents’ first tree at a small apartment blocks from the Gulf of Mexico. Now, these lights were designed, or maybe not designed, so that one burned out bulb caused the remaining lights to go out, making it impossible to find the naughty one. “These things are bug house,” I heard him say on many occasions as he unscrewed each one bulb after another, plugged in the cord until the lights reappeared. The procedure played itself out on a regular basis as the season progressed, each episode fraying revived nerves and disrupting our celebration. After my father passed away, I knew the lights would not survive. My mother had cursed them and my father’s insistence to maintain them

for years. I feared they would be the first thing to go. Years later, I discovered that old Christmas box in my mother’s attic. I sorted through boxes of old ornaments, most of them faded and dull from the years. When I reached the bottom of the box, I encountered that same group of leftover items that adorns the bottom of everyone’s Christmas box. There were photos of my sister and me that had been transferred into small decorations, pieces of a old manger scene and other old ornaments. As I lifted up a long forgotten felt skirt that anchored our trees decades ago, I stopped and stared at a single strand of tree lights that looked like antiques. To my surprise, it was the last strand of remaining “bug lights” on this planet. I surmised that my mother was willing to discard several lines of tree lights that never worked very well, but not willing to forget the special memories that accompanied them.

a primary care physician. I’m excited to get back to practicing medicine how it should be practiced – with patience and time to understand the com-

plete picture for every patient.” The addition of Dr. HaackeGolden continues PartnerMD’s growth in the Richmond market, which now features 19 doc-

tors at three offices. PartnerMD has more than 10,000 members in seven offices throughout Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Protection your loved ones deserve ...

GUARANTEED Life Insurance up to $15,000.00

Modiﬁed Whole Life Insurance from Physicians Life Insurance Company

Imagine what $15,000.00 could mean to your family after you’re gone — cash to help pay your funeral, medical bills or other ﬁnal expenses. • Guaranteed acceptance for ages 45 to 85* • No medical exam, no health questions • Lock in your rate for life Find out how affordable this coverage can be — Call for your FREE Information Kit

1-804-500-7786 or go to www.life55plus.info/goochland

 Plus — you’ll also get a FREE

Final Wishes Planner just for calling!

6236

*Ages may vary by state. Guaranteed for one of these life insurance policies. Beneﬁts reduced ﬁrst two years. Insurance Policy L770 (ID: L770ID; OK: L770OK; TN: L770TN).

Advertise your local business in The Goochland Gazette! Call 804-746-1235 for details.

Thursday

Want more? Visit us on the web at

HOLIDAY HELP

December 24, 2020

www.goochlandgazette.com

Having a Christmas crisis? We’ve got a fix for that Face it: The holiday is here. But even if you forgot a gift, received some unexpected guests or are just going quarantine crazy, here are a few pointers to get you through By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Problem: You still haven’t found a gift for your husband’s great aunt Millie We all have those people on our holiday shopping lists who are so hard to buy for that we save them for the last minute — the very last minute.

CLOG-FREE GUT TERS

OR YOUR MONEY BACK

GUARANTEED!

AFT

BEF

af E Le

Filt

a R Le

fFil

ter

15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE LEAFFILTER PURCHASE* Exclusive Oﬀer – Redeem By Phone Today!

ADDITIONALLY

10% OFF SENIOR & MILITARY DISCOUNTS

CALL US TODAY FOR

A FREE ESTIMATE

1-804-312-3759 Promo Code: 285

Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST

PLUS!

THE FIRST 50 CALLERS WILL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL

5% OFF YOUR ENTIRE INSTALL! **Offer valid at estimate only

FINANCING THAT FITS 1 YOUR BUDGET! 1

Subject to credit approval. Call for details.

*The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 License# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# PA069383 Suﬀolk HIC License# 52229-H

You’re not alone: Many holiday shoppers adhere to the time-honored tradition of last-minute shopping. The perfect gift can sometimes prove elusive, especially as the sand in the holiday hour glass keeps dwindling. These lastminute gift ideas may be just what shoppers need to put smiles on the faces of their loved ones this holiday season. Books: Books are often overlooked, especially now that so many readers use e-readers. But books can be an ideal gift and especially convenient for last-minute shoppers, who can even gift e-books. For example, Amazon, which has thousands of e-books in its online library, makes it easy for shoppers to gift e-books to Kindle users, who will simply receive an email on Christmas morning informing them that their books are ready to be downloaded to their devices. Experiences: A 2017 survey by the global research firm NPD Group found that roughly 40 percent of holiday shoppers planned to give experiences as gifts last year. Experience gifts open up a host of possibilities for lastminute shoppers stuck on what to give those loved ones who seemingly have it all. Food/beverage: Television channels such as The Food Network have changed the way many people look at food. When gifting the family foodie, last-minute shoppers may not need to look further than the latest hotspot restaurant or specialty grocery store for the perfect gift. Take them out for a night on the town or give a gift card they can use at their convenience. The craft beer boom has created a host of devoted and knowledgeable beer drinkers, so a gift card or growler from a local craft brewery is sure to

please people who love hoisting frosty pints. Streaming service subscriptions: Many people are cutting the cord with their cable companies in favor of streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. Subscriptions to such services can make ideal and affordable holiday gifts. A six-month or yearlong subscription likely won’t break shoppers’ budgets and will provide months of entertainment to loved ones. Last-minute holiday shopping is easier than ever, especially for shoppers willing to think outside the box. ***

Problem: When you least expect it, a crowd of family and friends descends on your living room While many social occasions surrounding Christmas are anticipated for months in advance, unexpected pop-ins are also the norm this time of year. Rather than being caught off guard, individuals can take steps to prepare for unexpected guests. Have food available. Even if guests pop in for a little while, it’s nice to be able to offer them something to eat. Keep cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, pretzels, and other snacks on hand. Makeahead, crowd-friendly foods can be prepared and frozen. Casseroles, pasta dishes and stews are hearty and can serve in a pinch when unexpected visitors arrive. Simply take out to defrost and heat up. Keep cookies in air-tight tins and purchase a premade frozen pie to serve, if necessary. In a pinch, you can always order out, but over time the cost

of having food delivered can add up. Keep the bar stocked. Toasting to a happy holiday season is the norm during this time of year. Toasting requires hosts have some spirits on hand. Stock the bar with a few staples, such as red and white wine, vodka, rum, whiskey, and mixers. Also, you may just want to create a signature or seasonal cocktail that can be served when guests arrive, such as a spiced punch or a holiday eggnog. Cue the playlist. Put together a playlist of favorite holiday music that will provide the ideal ambiance should guests ring your doorbell. Thanks to services like Spotify, Amazon Music and Pandora, holiday music that fills a home with the sweet sounds of the season is now always accessible. Keep things neat. Set aside a closet or space that can serve as a catch-all where errant items can quickly be stored should guests arrive. Gather loose toys, books or stray papers in a basket and then stash the basket in the closet until guests depart. Routinely empty the dishwasher so dirty dishes left in the sink can be quickly loaded before guests arrive. Create an aromatic atmosphere. Scented candles that evoke the aromas of the season can refresh stale indoor air. Butter cookie-, apple pieand cinnamon-scented candles can make it seem like you just finished some holiday baking. Guests tend to drop by on a moment’s notice come the holidays. Preparing for the unexpected can make such visits more enjoyable. see Holiday Help > 13

Thursday

December 24, 2020

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

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

Goochland boys basketball’s season has begun By Nick Vandeloecht, Sports Editor

GOOCHLAND - While the scoreboard showed an 89-64 loss to future Jefferson District rival Fluvanna, Goochland’s varsity boys basketball team came away from Monday afternoon’s season opener with another kind of victory. After all of the uncertainty surrounding this season with some nearby school systems opting out of winter sports, the Bulldogs were able to shoot, dribble, defend, sprint across the hardwood and pressure a team from another school for 32 minutes of Virginia High School League-sanctioned playing time. “I was happy to be back for sure, because basketball is something I look forward to every year,” said Goochland senior Jack Hoffler, who scored 12 points on Monday. “I get that not everybody’s got the opportunity to play, and even though we lost, at the end of the day – just to be out here, I’m grateful for that.” The Bulldogs, featuring a lot of new faces, also grew noticeably within that allotted time. They slashed the Flying Flucos’ lead from 27 points in the early stages of the third quarter all the way down to 64-52 going into the fourth. Ultimately, Fluvanna regained command in the final eight minutes, reigniting their fiery three-point shot and flooding the basket once more. “I know our guys are always going to play hard; their effort’s going to always be there; I give a lot of credit to the Flucos. Those guys shot the ball really, really well; it was lights out,” said Goochland head boys basketball coach Preston Gordon. “I think we can do some things differently defensively…we need to do a better job of tak-

Photos by Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

From left: Goochland senior Jack Hoffler (11) defends a Fluvanna County player and teammate De’Andre Robinson (23) looks on in the Bulldogs’ 2020-21 season opener on Monday; Kameron Holman drives to the basket for a layup. Holman scored a team-leading 14 points and Hoffler netted 12.

ing care of the basketball.” But for Gordon and his team, it was just nice to be out on the court. “It’s therapeutic,” he said. “This is not the result that we want, but it’s still good to be here.” Senior Kameron Holman led the Bulldogs with 14 points, including one early 3-pointer, and added four steals and three assists. He is now 220 points away from 1,000. Hoffler caught fire for 7 points in the third quarter, complementing keynote rebounds with a 3-pointer on the get-back and a turn-and-shoot jumper. Holman and Hoffler were among those who applied strong defensive pressure against their opponents at points throughout the entire game. “I think, personally, I played a little timid in the first half, didn’t really look for my shot too much and, second half, I tried to come out more aggres-

sive, and I think so did everybody else,” Hoffler said. “I think we got to our spots much better defensively in the third quarter.” The Bulldogs excelled in their looks from the freethrow line, shooting 14 for 18. Omarion Quarles and De’Andre Robinson both did well for Goochland in the post, each netting eight points and hauling in seven rebounds. As they continue their season, Hoffler said they’ve got to do a better job of communicating and getting to their spots to limit open looks for their opponents. “Everything that happened today, we can fix, we can work on,” Gordon noted. “There are areas of improvement and, first game, we’re going to take in stride, we’re going to learn from it and try to get better.” To coach Gordon, the sea- From left: Goochland’s Gabe Liptak drives inside the arc in the opponent’s half-court; J.D. son is already successful. Mills lands his second free-throw in Monday’s game. Mills scored 7 points in Goochland’s “Because we’re here,” he said. 89-64 loss to Fluvanna, and he and teammate Kyle Goff each made a 3-pointer.

Thursday

December 24, 2020

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

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

Benedictine is a winner in the McMurtrie-Reynolds Pavilion By Nick Vandeloecht, Sports Editor

Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

Benedictine senior Cody Herman rises up for a layup in Friday’s home game versus Atlantic Shores Christian.

Benedictine coach Mark Royster said his players knew this day was coming. They just didn’t know when. But on Friday night - after all of the uncertainty that’s been brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic - the Benedictine Cadets varsity basketball team finally took the floor for the program’s first-ever game in the school’s new stateof-the-art McMurtrie-Reynolds Pavilion. It’s now a day for the history books. Overtaking Atlantic Shores Christian in the third quarter, the Cadets outlasted their opponents 66-55 in their season-opener on Friday to become winners for the first time in their new gymnasium. “I think they’re very happy with the fact that they got a W,” Royster said, “because you don’t

know what’s down the future.” As the pandemic persists, there’s no telling if the season will continue as planned, or if it will come to an early end. That’s why Benedictine’s seniors who were active for Friday night’s game - Whit Williams, Cody Herman, Jackson Cray and Jeb Cray - all started, and they all contributed to the win. Williams hit the go-ahead putback to put his team ahead for good late in the third quarter, and he reached 10 points total with a late-game dunk. Jackson knocked down three 3-pointers and netted 12 total, and Jeb shot 4 for 5 from the free-throw line and totaled 6 points. After falling into a 7-point hole early in the third, the Cadets were sparked by their rebounding and defensive play, and consecutive buckets from Herman and a layup in

the paint from Luca Puccinelli tightened the visitors’ lead to 1 point with 3:04 left in the stanza. Puccinelli’s defensive pressure led to a Benedictine rebound, and Williams putback a teammate’s missed shot to return his team to the lead. The Cadets pulled down 20 boards in the second half compared to 10 in the first, and they limited Atlantic Shores to 20 points across the final 16 minutes. Seven different Cadets, including Herman and Kris Tiller, scored 6 or more points, and Puccinelli led the way with 15. Hudson Williams added 9 points on three first-half 3’s. While it was a big win, it might not have been the debut the players initially envisioned. The Pavilion has the seating to create a college basketball-type atmosphere, but with current restrictions limiting crowd sizes to 25 per field for indoor sports,

they had to play their first game in a nearly-empty gymnasium. “Their mindset was: Hey, we’re going to play a game in this gym eight months ago before this hit, it’s going to be packed,” Royster said. “They have to form their own energy, it’s that simple, and that’s hard to do a lot of times. You can imagine how loud it would’ve been in the second half if this place is crowded, and that’s what they’re picturing. “I doubt this group will get it, the seniors,” he said, “but you just have to work through it. Life’s tough.” For Royster and the team, this game - this win - was a relief for all of them. “It’s a great relief.” The Cadets improved to 2-0 after rallying on a 19-4 run to overtake Saint John Paul the Great 50-46 on Saturday. They were scheduled to host Catholic on Tuesday.

Saint Gertrude opens season with three straight wins at home By Nick Vandeloecht, Sports Editor

GOOCHLAND – It’s been a tough year, but amidst these difficult times, many athletic teams have still been able to build good memories together – and make history while doing so. Saint Gertrude’s girls basketball team stands among them. The Gators earned backto-back wins in the first-ever two games at Benedictine’s brand new gymnasium, the McMurtrie-Reynolds Pavilion, with commanding performances in both contests. After they routed Central Virginia Homeschool 90-30 in their opener the previous week, they defeated Catholic 61-37 last Tuesday behind 19 points from 6-4 junior Kate Samson. “I’m super proud of our

team today. We knew this was going to be a difficult game,” Samson said after last Tuesday’s game. “I think we did a really good job adjusting defensively. We’re working really well in communicating on defense and switching on screens and talking it up.” Head coach Robyn D’Onofrio said they played exceptional defense, were very communicative with one another and worked together in unison. “I thought that our girls did a great job of making sure that they were always helping each other,” D’Onofrio said. “It’s something we prioritize in practice and they really put it to work today.” The Gators were in sync from the start, with Samson able to convert early assists from her teammates, senior

Nan Kerner and 6-1 junior Cherese Lampkins, into points, and Kerner and Samson combining for a 9-0 run in the second quarter to put the Gators ahead for good after Catholic tied the game at 14-14. Lampkins added a putback at the end of the first quarter. Samson, who in November committed to attend and play basketball for the United States Naval Academy, netted 15 points in the first half alone. Kerner contributed 12 overall and the two players together scored 29 of the team’s first 33 points, opening the door for their teammates to flood the basket in the second half and further bolster the home team’s lead. “They both have such great strengths and one of the nicest things is they adapt their games so much to what’s hap-

pening around them, and … being supported by such other strong offensive forces, other shooters and other post players, just really makes it difficult to defend us,” D’Onofrio said. “A game plan is tough when you have five strong players on the floor at one time. We’re very blessed in that regard.” Sophomore Erin Woodson netted 10 of her 12 points in the third quarter, and sophomore Sam Smith netted all 8 of her points, including 6 on three-pointers, in the fourth. The Gators made it a 3-0 start to the season with its third straight home win, 82-31 over Saint John Paul the Great, on Saturday. Woodson and Samson each scored 17, Kerner netted 16 and junior Kayla Ford joined her teammates in double-digits with 13. Ford shot 7 for 9 from the

free-throw line. The Gators as a team netted 30 points in the second quarter alone. Saint Gertrude was scheduled to host Catholic in its fourth straight home game on Tuesday. “I’m grateful that our administration, our president and our director of athletics is doing everything possible to make everything happen for us – and to be safe in a great environment,” D’Onofrio said. “We’re just very lucky, and grateful for the chance to be able to do it.” “It means a lot that they would give us the opportunity to use [the new gym] and it’s just been really awesome that we can play in it, especially with all the COVID procedures,” Samson said. “I think everyone’s doing a great job of being safe. Just the fact that

Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

Saint Gertrude junior Kate Samson sets up for the layup in the paint versus Catholic.

I can have my junior year in here, it means a lot, and same for the seniors. They’re really happy that they can be in here for this year.”

Thursday

THURSDAY EVENING 4 PM 4:30 5 PM

Want more? Visit us on the web at

TV LISTINGS: Find Local TV Shows and Movie Schedules

December 24, 2020

www.goochlandgazette.com

DECEMBER 24, 2020 10:30 11 PM 11:30 12 AM