The Goochland Gazette – 01/07/2021 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Looking back at the top local sports moments of 2020 > page 9

Volume 66 Number 1 • January 7, 2021

For local farmers,

A TOUGH ROW TO HOE

From increased competition to COVID-19, agricultural producers have been facing a bumper crop of challenges By Roslyn Ryan Editor

o one ever said farming was easy. But lately, for many producers in Goochland, what was once a tough job has gotten even tougher. After a presentation before the county Board of Supervisors late last year, Monacan Soil and Water Conservation district manager Keith Burgess was asked by District 2 representative Neil Spoonhower how he felt local farmers were faring. Burgess didn’t hesitate before delivering his assessment: Not great. “Our dairy farmers are struggling,” said Burgess, who has spent much of his life involved in agriculture in some form or another. As he told supervisors, the most significant issue he sees in the dairy industry typically comes when it’s time to see Farming > 3

Park set to be created in honor of Rosenwald His mission: to provide an equal education during segregation era By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Despite the many challenges of 2020, alumni and supporters of Goochland’s historic Second Union Rosenwald School was recently given at least one reason to celebrate. On Dec. 21, a bill that will create a National Historic Park in honor of Julius Rosenwald, a champion of providing educational opportunities for black students in the early part of the 20th century, was passed by the

see Rosenwald > 5

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

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Tell Me A Story A millionaire, an ice cream sundae and two valuable lessons learned By Roslyn Ryan Editor

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Editor’s note: This week the Gazette is kicking off a new series we’re calling “Tell Me a Story,” in which we ask our readers to share with us a favorite story about something that happened to them at any point in their lives. This week Gazette editor Roslyn Ryan kicks things off with an odd anecdote about a presidential candidate, a bowl of ice cream, and a valuable lesson learned young. A millionaire bought me some ice cream 25 years ago, although I doubt he would remember it. I was around 15 years old that year, tagging along with my father on a work assignment in Washington, D.C., and we had gone out to

dinner at a very nice restaurant, the kind of place that well-heeled, wellconnected people probably take for granted but that the rest of us may only visit once or twice in a lifetime. Steve Forbes, the publisher of Forbes Magazine and one-time head of the Board of International Broadcasting, had just wrapped up an unsuccessful bid for President, his campaign ultimately torpedoed most likely by his somewhat awkward public speaking style (a style Time Magazine likened at the time to a “dork robot”). But before he had thrown in the towel on his White House run, he had managed to do something that had endeared him forever to me and my adolescent cohorts: He had hosted Saturday Night Live and killed. I’m not sure if the humor would resonate quite the same way with kids today, but back

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. 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.

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age, to visit a DMV customer service center until it is time for their next renewal. When the two-year credential expires, customers will then visit DMV to renew and obtain a five-year or eight-year credential and have a new photograph taken. DMV is currently notifying customers eligible for the two-year renewal by their preferred contact methods. Customers ineligible for this new two-year renewal option include those who: Hold a limited duration license issued for one year or for a period of authorized stay in the U.S., Are required to register in accordance with Va. Code Chapter 9 or Title 9.1, or

Goochland boys grab first win of season PAGE 10 Calendar ................................ 4 Classifieds ........................... 14 Letters .................................... 6 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports ...............................9-10 TV Listings ......................11-13

see Ice Cream > 3

Virginians encouraged to use new online two-year renewal option for driver’s licenses and ID cards Contributed report Most Virginians who renewed their driver’s license or identification cards through the Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) website or U.S. mail last time now have the option to renew again online or through the mail rather than making an appointment for in-person service. Most credentials are valid for either five or eight years. The new DMV service, instituted due to the effects of the pandemic, gives customers the opportunity to obtain a new two-year driver’s license or ID card by applying through its website, dmvNOW.com. This service option postpones the requirement for eligible customers, regardless of

SPORTS

Have a school bus endorsement A driver’s license renewal costs $4 per year, therefore, a two-year license will cost $8. A typical in-person license renewal, which is valid for either five or eight years, costs $20 or $32, respectively. An identification card (ID) renewal costs $2 per year which means if you are receiving an ID that is valid for two years from the expiration date on your prior ID, it costs $4. An eight-year ID renewal typically costs $16. Those who would like to renew their credential for five or eight years, or need a REAL ID compliant credential, must make an appointment at dmvNOW. com/appt for in-person service.

CONTACT US Toll Free - (877) 888-0449 Office - (804) 746-1235 Joy Monopoli Publisher (804) 775-4614 Fax: (804) 819-5529 Melody Kinser Managing Editor (804) 775-4622 Fax: (804) 344-8746 Roslyn Ryan Editor (804) 339-7956 Nick Vandeloecht Sports Editor (540) 728-0549 Cindy Adams Classifieds (804) 775-4616 Fax: (804) 344-8746

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January 7, 2021

Ice Cream continued from >2 then we laughed until we hurt and bemoaned the fact that we couldn’t yet vote. It was only a few months after that broadcast that I found myself in that dimly-lit restaurant with its crystal and china, trying to seem grown up and also to figure out why the menu didn’t have any prices. I ordered the closest thing they had to a hamburger and gave back the menu, and that was when I saw him: A few tables

Farming continued from >1 get the product to market. The demand for the milk is there, he said, but challenges such as plummeting prices can make staying in business nearly impossible for smaller operations. Burgess noted that most of the county’s farmers have been struggling in recent years,

“Everybody likes to eat three meals a day. People need to understand that without farmers that isn’t possible.” — Wayne Pryor forced to reckon with the growth that some believe has jeopardized the county’s rural character and put local producers in a tough spot. When a subdivision is built next to an agricultural operation, he pointed out, there are typically no buffers to protect the farmer from new residents encroaching on fields.

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away, sitting all alone and picking at a plate of pasta, was Steve Forbes. I’m not sure what made me get up, because it certainly wasn’t in my nature back then to approach any stranger in a restaurant. Like many teenagers, if I remember right, I think I would have rather melted into the floor. But there he was and there I was and something just told me that this was a moment that had to be grabbed or the regret would linger forever. I approached the table. “Mr.

Forbes?” He looked up from his food. “I just wanted to tell you I thought you did a really nice job on Saturday Night Live.” He looked momentarily confused, then smiled and said “Thank you.” And that was that. About 10 minutes later, back at our table, a waiter brought over two ice cream sundaes, compliments of Mr. Forbes, who was already gone. The ice cream was a lovely gesture, but better still were the

two equally valuable lessons learned that day: Most people — even famous ones — don’t bite, and you should never be afraid to say something nice to someone, no matter who they are. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Please send your contribution to rryan@goochlandgazette.com. Submissions must be 500 words or less, and feature the story of something that happened to you or a family member. For more information, contact Gazette editor Roslyn Ryan at (804) 339-7956.

Subdivision dwellers, in turn, have been known on occasion to complain about the noise, smell or other attributes of a neighboring farm. What it often boils down to, said Burgess, is the fact that many outside the world of production agriculture just aren’t aware of the challenges farmers face. What many people don’t understand, he explained, is that farming is not like many other jobs. Simply put, “It’s a lifestyle,” said Burgess, one that typically comes with at least a 10-year commitment, plenty of hard work, and very little time off. “You can’t just take a vacation,” Burgess pointed out, or call is sick. “If you don’t feel good on Sunday, you still have animals to feed.” Of course, it isn’t just the hard work that small farmers must contend with. Land and equipment are expensive. As in many industries, competing against larger operations is always going to be a challenge and many smaller farms simply can’t make the numbers work. In the 1970s there were over 30 dairy farms in Goochland —now there are just two. While the demand for milk is still there, many smaller family farms have been replaced by large-scale operations with

more cows and more production capabilities. Goochland resident Wayne Pryor is now serving his eighth term as president of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, and has made it his mission to help support local agricultural efforts in any way he can. According to Pryor, who also has his own hay and grain operation in Hadensville, one telling fact is that even as the percentage of Virginia residents making their living in agriculture has plummeted to just 1.5 percent, agriculture still remains the largest industry in the state. There are fewer farms these days, Pryor says, but the ones remaining are much, much bigger. Some of the news is good: There has been some notable progress in recent years when it comes to the quality and amount of chemicals used in farming, Pryor noted, and many of the steps farmers have taken to improve water quality have made a significant difference. But there have also been an increase is costs across the board, as well as labor issues to deal with. Then, of course, there are the unexpected calamities like COVID-19, which brought additional labor and financial challenges for many already

struggling operations. It’s still possible for a young person just starting out to make a living in agriculture, Pryor said, particularly with the rising popularity of local farmers markets, but they must be prepared for the challenges that loom ahead. They must also get support from the community. “Everybody likes to eat three meals a day,” Pryor said. “People need to understand that without farmers that isn’t possible.” Burgess, for his part, agreed there is work that needs to be done if local farming is going to truly thrive. The county’s agricultural sector has tremendous potential, he said, “but it’s going to take a true buy in” from farmers, a group Burgess said has often been hesitant to come the table and discuss their challenges with local government. Burgess was clear in his recent statements to the board that much of the local help for the farming community will need to originate with the county’s Economic Development office, and that some nudging might be necessary at the outset. “What you need to do,” Burgess said, “is convince these folks that they need to come to the table for the future of agriculture in Goochland County.”

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Rayner Buchanan, $400,000. 4082 Lake Killarney, Gum Spring; Mark H. Shulman to Joshua Mikael Molnar, $365,000. 639 Lee Road, Crozier; John B. Gorman to Jeffery M. Sparrow, $825,000. 1860 Roundfield Lane, Manakin Sabot; William M. Noftsinger Jr. to Steven Woodall, $618,701. 3020 Swanns Inn Crescent, Goochland; Legacy Homes LLC to James E. Dameron Jr., $482,500. 4255 Watson Road, Sandy Hook; Alexa Stegner to Kaelan Ann Lohr, $205,000. 111 Willway Drive, Manakin Sabot; Whitney G. Jones to Mark Lacy, $329,900.

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GOOCHLAND SELF-STORAGE

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.

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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 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.

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.

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-

Virtual Teen Cat Cafe

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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.

Introducing Native Plants to Your Garden

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Library Calendar

Property Transfers 12243 Bremner Ridge Circle, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Maryann Q. Bagby, trustee, $430,000. 1532 Camberly Drive, Manakin Sabot; Thomas J. Fedoryk to David W. Norton, $540,000. 3570 Cedar Plains Road, Sandy Hook; New Ventures Real Estate LLC to Tyler A. Allen, $309,000. 7 Deer Run Road, Manakin Sabot; Richard A. Combs to Peter B. Fuson, $820,000. 302 Glenmeade Circle, Manakin Sabot; Joseph C. Phillips, trustee to Michael J. Shamus III, $848,000. 1854 Hawk Town Road, Maidens; James Buchanan to Amanda

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NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Thursday

January 7, 2021

Serving Goochland County

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Since 1955

Board stands firm on development sidewalk rules improvements — including all entrances, turn lanes, sidewalks and street trees — when a given project reaches 50 percent buildout. And Goochland supervisors, it seems, want to keep it that way. Last November, the board voted unanimously during its monthly meeting to deny a request by developer HH Hunt to amend the county ordiBy Roslyn Ryan nance to allow sidewalks and street trees in front Editor of each home to be installed when the owner of According to the Goochland County code- the home obtains a certificate of occupancy. The book, developers of subdivisions must install all reason, the developer said, was that installing

Developer sought change to ordinance governing when trees, sidewalks in subdivisions are installed

sidewalks and trees in front of lots with no homes on them often means damaging both when the home is eventually constructed. The request was met with concern by county staff when first proposed, largly because inspecting the sidewalk would add an additional burden on inspectors already stretched thin. While county staff initially agreed to allow developers to address the issue by using third party, credentialed inspectors to handle the certification of new sidewalk construction, board members found several bones to pick with the proposal.

As small businesses continue to push forward, local support remains critical Contributed report

Like the thousands upon thousands of other small businessess across the country hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, many of Goochland’s local businesses have spent much of the past year doing whatever they could to navigate an ever-changing — and often extraordinarily challenging — new landscape. While the importance of shopping locally has been emphasized with increasing urgency in recent years, and events like Small Business Saturday have brought some much-needed attention, supporting small businesses is now more crucial than ever. A poll from the trade group the National Federation of Independent Business reported that about half of all the businesses in the survey reported a 25 percent drop in sales since the outbreak of the COVID19 virus, and roughly one in five businesses have seen sales decline by more than 50 percent. If the economic climate does not radically improve, 20 percent of small businesses won’t survive. Small businesses employ 60 million people in the United

States, almost half of the nation’s private-sector employees. In addition, small businesses generate tax revenues that help communities by funding schools, maintaining parks and contributing to public safety programs. However, based on research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, even before COVID-19 spread across the world, only 20 percent of healthy small businesses had sufficient cash reserves to continue to operate if they experienced a revenue loss for two months. Some have been shuttered for much longer. Individuals looking for everything from clothing to home improvement services to office supplies can look to small businesses to fill those needs. Look for small businesses for any and all of your shopping needs. Chances are items sold by big box retailers also are sold by small businesses. When the options are the same or similar, purchase from a small business instead of its big box competitor. Readily provide recommendations of small businesses with which you have done

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Shopping local could help give a much-needed boost to those businesses that, in turn, generate revenue for the community.

business. Too often people are quick to complain about places that have failed them, but those same people don’t think to say kind words about companies that went above and beyond. Share great experiences on social media or through word of mouth. Talk to small businesses owners first if you have an issue. It’s tempting to go directly to social media to complain about something, but such complaints can have a dire impact. Always take issues to

the manager or business owner first to see if a resolution can be reached. A manager may not be aware of an issue at all. Give small businesses a chance to make it right before taking things public. If you own a small business, rely on other small businesses to fulfill your needs. Order supplies from fellow small business owners, seek the help of local financial advisors and tax professionals and use local suppliers and delivery personnel.

“I can’t help but ask myself if this is in the best interest of the county when we haven’t had a problem with it historically,” noted District 5 representative Ken Peterson. District 2 supervisor Neil Spoonhower agreed, noting that the issue didn’t seem to represent a problem in a need of a county-wide solution. “I get calls from developers all the time,” said Spoonhower, “and none of them have ever asked about this…for me to think about changing an ordinance — I feel like this does not rise to that level.”

Rosenwald continued from >1 United States senate with unanimous consent. The Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools Act of 2019 now awaits the President’s signature. The legislation directs the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study of the sites associated with the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald. Goochland’s Second Union Rosenwald School was one of thousands of similar schools built in the early 1900s after famed educator and orator Booker T. Washington approached philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, then president of Sears, Roebuck & Co, about building schools for black children across the South denied an education

due to segregation. For decades, Rosenwald schools helped offer a quality education to students who otherwise might have gone without. Between the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, more than 5,000 Rosenwald Schools, including 10 in Goochland, were built. However, today, it is estimated only 10–12 percent of these buildings remain standing nationwide. The fact that the recent Rosenwald Act has come this far is a testament to the determination of those who championed it from the start. The late Congressman John Lewis, who attended a Rosenwald School in Alabama, was one of the eight lead sponsors of HR 3250.

Thursday

January 7, 2021

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

When winter comes, so does opportunity By Roslyn Ryan Editor

I’ll be the first to admit it: I don’t read nearly as much as I should, or at least as much as I would like. Having long-since stopped trying to keep up with whatever recent “must-read” offerings are out there, I’ve been content these past few years to read here and there, getting easily distracted and often “forgetting” to pick a book back up if it hasn’t grabbed my interest within a few chapters. I have a stack of books on my nightstand I’ve been meaning to get to for ages, and, for ages, it’s remained about the same height. Even despite this fallow period in my reading life, I still keep an eye out for titles that pique my

interest, often finding them when I least expect. Case in point, I stumbled upon a book review the other day — while in search of something else entirely — that I’ve been unable to stop thinking about ever since. The book “Wintering,” by British author Katherine May, is ostensibly about a period in the writer’s life when just about everything in her world, from her health to her family life to her career, seemed to careen off the proverbial rails. I’ll spare you the gory details, but it’s clear that the torrent of misfortune she endured shook her to her core and left her rethinking just about everything in her life. The title comes from the idea of “wintering,” that time in the cycle of so many living things when progress is halted and rest — even

if it’s forced by circumstance — is the order of the day. It can be job loss or illness or anything that strips away the comfort of constantly gaining ground. It can be incredibly, even brutally painful, May writes, but also so necessary. May’s book came out in November, but I felt fortunate to have come across the mention of it last week. We are, after all, just now embarking on what could be a long, difficult winter, one that comes on the heels of what was for many a long and exceedingly difficult year. Spring is going to come, just as it always has, and there is certainly a measure of comfort to be taken from that. But for now there are still many in our community who are facing the very tough realities of this most recent winter,

even if only in a spiritual sense. There are the losses that are easy to understand — a loved one, a home, a job — and those, like missed milestones or cancelled celebrations, which hurt in a different way. It may be cold comfort — pun intended — to say that what we are dealing with now, this “winter,” will make us stronger and more resilient in the future. And of course, as May notes, sometimes how you feel about winter is far less important than how you face it. “We must stop believing that these times in our lives are somehow silly, a failure of nerve, a lack of willpower,” May writes. “They are real, and they are asking something of us. We must learn to invite the winter in. We may never choose to winter, but we can choose how.”

Looking back: The good, the bad and 2020 By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

Saying goodbye to 2020 might be the easiest task many of us have performed in months. Perhaps, a prolonged historical analysis will look back on the end of the second decade of the new millennium with more kindness than those who actu-

ally survived what some are calling the roughest year of their lives. I haven’t dived deep enough into my failing memory to decipher if that’s the case or not, but there’s no doubt that 75% of the year may be best not remembered, and few are lamenting the loss of another year on the calendar. It seemed like optimistic reso-

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Publisher Managing Editor Editor Production Manager Sports Editor Sales Representative Classifieds

Joy Monopoli

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Melody Kinser

mkinser@mechlocal.com

Roslyn Ryan

rryan@gooochlandgazette.com

Denine D’Angelo ddangelo@mechlocal.com Nick Vandeloecht nvandeloecht@powhatantoday.com Tom Haynie

thaynie@mechlocal.com

Cindy Adams

cgrant@mechlocal.com

lutions usually associated with the traditional ball drop were sadly missing in this year’s socially distanced celebrations. And, for many of us, staying up until midnight didn’t seem that important this year, opting instead for a good movie instead of watching network hosts trying much too hard to be funny and whimsical. It seemed as if the end of 2020

closely mirrored what came before, and closing the year with a bang seemed somehow inappropriate this year. A single bottle rocket that sounded as ill as our country marked midnight in our neighborhood, a barely heard whimper denoting the end of

see Looking back > 7

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS The Local welcomes your signed letters to the editor on topics of interest to Goochland residents. Letters must include your address and a daytime telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters. We do not guarantee that every letter received will be published. Letters reflect the opinions and positions of the writers and not The Goochland Gazette. Send letters to: The Goochland Gazette 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, Va. 23116 Fax: 344-8746 E-mail: editor@goochlandgazette.com © 2021 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 Those most at-risk should be the next in line for vaccine Dear Editor, The so-called Covid-19 virus experts completely misfired on gathering a critical data point. Data which, had it been gathered and published, could have helped enforce the critical wear-a-mask message. When people contracted the virus why weren’t they asked if they had taken preventive measures such as wearing a mask. If, say, 90 percent responded they had not worn a mask it would have encouraged more people to wear one. Opportunity lost. Also, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, who is making the critical decision on who gets the vaccine and in what order? According to the CDC’s own guidelines the way to save the most lives is to first administer the vaccine to front-line health care workers and longterm care residents which no one disagrees with. But, who’s next? CDC models and scientific data show it should be the most vulnerable among our population which, by far, is the elderly over age 65. Every other age group has a survival rate of 99.9%. No other criteria should be used to determine who receives the second round, period. It would be contrary to the available science and needlessly cost the lives of countless elderly people. Simply put, going against the science would be tantamount to practicing eugenics. Lastly, how will individuals be notified when they’re eligible to get the vaccine and advised where to go to get it. Larry Herbst Sandy Hook

Thursday

January 7, 2021

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

To Your Health

Living better

bit by bit

When it comes to maintaining or improving your health, small, sustainable changes are just what the doctor ordered

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

We’ve all done it: Looked at the coming New Year and vowed that this would be the year we finally dumped that bad habit or picked up that good one we’ve been talking about. Maybe we planned to start training for that marathon, or travel abroad. Truth be told, we’ve pledged over the years to meet plenty of lofty of goals, only to

Fatty fish: A study from British researchers published in the Archives of General Psychiatry found that a daily dose of an omega-3 fatty acid called eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, helped patients with

continued from >6 another orbit. I thought the understated celebratory blast painted a perfect picture of how most of us will remember 2020. Even after shrugging off the haunts of 2020, New Year’s Day didn’t seem much better. The usual lineup of parades and football games were all altered or canceled due to the pandemic. The granddaddy of all bowl games, the Rose Bowl, was moved from its traditional

Pasadena location to Texas. After days of negative reflections expressed from news anchors to movie stars to the man on the street, I sat down and did my own brand of reflecting on the past several weeks of 2020. On closer examination, I realized 2020 in many ways was no different from the others in my life, a combination of ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies and victories and defeats. Don’t get me wrong. The year held its share of challenges for my family, including the postponement of a daughter’s

Walk more. It is easy to get preoccupied with the “10,000 steps per day” mantra that many people follow and that certain fitness trackers promote. Walking 10,000 steps daily, which equates to roughly five miles per day, is a healthy goal, but it may not be realistic for everyone. Take stock of how many steps you currently take each day, and then resolve to walk 2,000 more. As your body

see Health > 8

Food for your mood? Try fish, nuts and greens Food is one factor that can have a positive effect on mood. Certain foods have been found to positively affect mood, so incorporating them into your diet may help you stay positive even on those days when you get up on the wrong side of the bed.

Looking back

find ourselves petering out a few weeks in. The dawn of a new year is a great time to take stock of the year that just passed and set goals for the next 12 months. But even with the best intentions, resolutions have historically proven hard to keep. Fortunately, research has shown that simplifying healthbased resolutions can lead to a higher success rate and a healthier you.

18th birthday celebration, my twins’ 16th birthday party, and my long awaited, or should I say dreaded, 70th celebration. I have friends I haven’t seen for months, and have covered more meetings and assignments via email or telephone than ones actually covered in person. No one would argue that the past nine months have been different. But, I’m not sure I agree with those who contend that 2020 is a year best forgotten. I think back to a wonderful gathering of my children for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

depression significantly reduce their feelings of sadness and pessimism. Try salmon, albacore tuna, sardines, trout, and anchovies.

leafy greens like kale, spinach and collards are rich in iron and magnesium, both of which can increase serotonin levels and help reduce feelings of anxiety.

Nuts and seeds: The minerals selenium, copper, magnesium, manganese, and zinc have all been linked to mental health, and nuts are rich in each of those minerals. Try almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and peanuts.

Come to think of it, the laughs and hugs seemed equal to other years, and the appreciation of family was not missing but maybe even more prevalent than in past years. Like most Americans, I welcome 2021 with a new sense of optimism and hope for a better future for our country, but I’m not ready to dismiss 2020 as a total disaster. Perhaps, hindsight will expose the many valuable lessons learned by a nation challenged. I too will remember the empty shelves at the grocery store and the endless searches

Dark chocolate: Chocolate lovers may be happy to learn that dark chocolate can improve mood. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Proteome Research found that dark chocolate helped to reduce levels of the hormone cortisol, which has been linked Dark, leafy greens: Dark, to stress. — MetroCreative

for toilet paper, bottled water and hand sanitizer. But, I’ll also remember the employees who remained at their posts, enabling the rest of us to at least search for those essential items. I also won’t forget the heath care workers and public safety employees who couldn’t stay home and quarantine, ensuring our daily lives maintained a semblance of normalcy. And, school teachers who pivoted from various instructional platforms to provide lessons to kids at home or in the classroom should never be forgotten. These are just a few remind-

ers of the many heroes produced by a year of unexpected challenge, just a sampling of the many good things that occurred in 2020. Perspective is everything and I can certainly empathize with those most willing to bury 2020 in the annals of things best forgotten — the thousands of American families who lost loved ones to the virus. Their loss is real, a reminder that is not easily shelved or forgotten, and a message to all of us that life is fragile when exposed to a non-discriminant pandemic that, unfortunately, has no regard for the calendar.

Thursday

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

January 7, 2021

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

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Spending less time on social media and more time socializing with friends or spending time out in the community have been shown to help improve health.

Health continued from >7 acclimates to walking more, add another 2,000 steps, continuing to do so until you reach 10,000 steps. Learn something new about being healthy. Informed health decisions require gaining a greater understanding of your body. Rely on a reputable source such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn more about how to be healthy. Spend less time on social media. Staring at your phone or tablet for multiple hours browsing tweets or checking messages might not be the best thing for your physical and mental health. Browsing the internet may take up time that could be better spent engaging in physical activity. According to Dr. Elia Abi-Jaoude, a staff psychiatrist at the Hospital for

Sick Children and Toronto Western Hospital, various studies have shown how excessive social media usage can adversely affect relationships, sense of self, sleep, academic performance, and emotional well-being. Eat more whole foods. Whole foods, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fish, contain various nutrients the body needs to function at peak capacity. These foods may help reduce the risk of many diseases and help people maintain healthy body weights. Start slowly by introducing a new whole food to your diet each day. A gradual approach is more manageable than going on a drastic diet. Avoid sweetened beverages. You are what you eat, but also what you drink. A report published in 2006 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found consumption of sugar-sweetened bev-

erages, particularly carbonated soft drinks, may be a key contributor in the epidemic of overweight and obesity. Skip sweetened beverages (even fruit juices can be unhealthy if consumed in excess) and opt for more water or unsweetened teas. Find a physical activity you like. Rather than resolving to join the gym or signing up for a 5K because it’s what everyone is doing, find a physical activity you truly enjoy and aim to do it a few times a week. Maybe it’s a sport like tennis or recreational cycling with the family. But if the idea of a gym membership excites you, then by all means sign up. Avoid restrictive health and wellness resolutions that can be unsustainable. By downsizing expectations and taking small steps en route to your goals, you may be more motivated to stay the course and realize your resolutions

Thursday

January 7, 2021

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

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

5 sporting moments to remember from 2020 By Nick Vandeloecht, Sports Editor

It is 2020 no longer. That has to be music to a lot of ears. If only the grim news and cliff ’s-edge wait for the next round of cancellations ended on Dec. 31. But COVID-19 doesn’t care about the calendar. The virus will continue to plague the nation, cases will continue to rise and the death toll will continue to climb until mass distribution of the vaccines helps lift us out of our national emergency and brings this pandemic to a halt. Until then, the pandemic is still here in 2021. But even as we move forward from an objectively horrible year, there were still uplifting moments to glean from 2020, and that does include sports. Senior seasons were sadly wiped out by the initial shutdown this spring, and fall sports in Virginia have tentatively been delayed to March. But the fields in Goochland did not stay silent in the summer, as the Goochland Youth Athletic Association brought baseball and softball back to the diamonds. Youth sports continued into the fall, with the Goochland United Soccer Association shining on the fields across various age divisions and tournaments. Bike races like the King and Queen of the Mill events at the scenic Leakes Mill Park, and private school sports seasons were able to take place. That we’re able to feature a display of five top moments from the Goochland County sports scene in 2020 speaks to the commitment of youth leagues, high schools and teams to providing the community with much-needed normalcy in an otherwise unstable year.

File/Goochland Gazette

1. In a partnership to recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Goochland Parks and Recreation, the Goochland Youth Athletic Association and the community paid respects to Karen Hicks, who passed away in September, with a special opening ceremony at Hidden Rock Park as part of Pink Out the Park Night on Oct. 5. All proceeds, donations and concession sales from the night’s events were slated to go to St. Jude in Karen’s memory.

Photos by David Hawk (left) and Anthony Rumley

2. Goochland High School Class of 2020 alum and multisport leader Quincy Snead, seen receiving congratulations from his head coach Preston Gordon, reached 1,000 career points in his final high school game on the basketball court. Snead helped the Goochland boys basketball team go 80-22 in four years, win two regional championships, make two state tournament appearances and reach the state semifinals in 2019. Snead now attends and plays football as a wide receiver for Shenandoah University. 3. Collegiate girls tennis, playing its home matches at the Robins Campus in Goochland, went unbeaten across 10 conference-only team matches this fall. The Cougars won 94% of their sanctioned individual matches (66-4).

4 File/Goochland Gazette (left and right); center photo by Daniel Sangjib Min /Richmond Times-Dispatch

4. Goochland United Soccer Association’s U12 Dynamite team, coached by Michael Wallmeyer and Jason Funkhouser, capped its dominant 2020 fall season with an unbeaten run through the Richmond Kickers Mega Blast Tournament to win the U12 Revolution championship. 5. Saint Gertrude girls basketball and Benedictine boys basketball won their very first games playing in the brand new, state-of-the-art McMurtrie-Reynolds Pavilion at Benedictine’s campus in Goochland. Saint Gertrude won the inaugural game 90-30 over Central Virginia Homeschool, and Benedictine defeated Atlantic Shores Christian 66-55.

Thursday

January 7, 2021

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

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Goochland boys hoops picks up first season win By Nick Vandeloecht, Sports Editor

GOOCHLAND - For head coach Preston Gordon and his Goochland Bulldogs, the season already became a success the week before when they played their first game, and on the Virginia High School League’s opening day for winter sports, no less. But on Tuesday, getting their first season win was huge. “It’s huge for our community. It’s a step in the right direction,” Gordon said. “Obviously we’re already going in the right direction, but just it’s…a little bit more pride that we can have.” Goochland caught fire behind strong defense and hot outside shooting to deny New Kent 60-47 and improve to 1-1 following last week’s loss to Fluvanna. “I’m really proud of the way our guys bounced back. I thought we did a much better job defensively,” said Gordon, who also added: “I felt our chemistry was a lot better.” Seniors Kameron Holman, Jack Hoffler and Kyle Goff led Goochland in scoring with 21, 17 and 11 points, respectively. Holman and Goff each knocked down three 3-pointers, and Hoffler hit two, including one with a defender in his face in the third quarter. Goochland’s top two scorers were also the team’s leaders in assists on Tuesday, as Holman and Hoffler each had four. “I was proud of Kam and Jack – I thought they did a great job attacking the rim,” Gordon said. Defensively, the Bulldogs mixed it up a little more, and despite going up against taller and bigger players from the

Photos by Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

From left: Goochland senior Kameron Holman (24) leaps up for a defensive rebound; Goochland senior Jack Hoffler (11) defends New Kent’s Tyler Atkins; Goochland senior Kyle Goff attacks the basket as New Kent defenders and Goochland teammate Omarion Quarles (5) follow in the Bulldogs’ home game versus the New Kent Trojans last Tuesday. Goochland won the game 60-47 to improve to 1-1 in the 2020-21 season.

Trojans, they hauled in 34 rebounds, with Hoffler getting nine and Holman eight. Omarion Quarles, De’Andre Robinson, senior Reid Dameron and Derek Pierce, the latter of whom created havoc in the top of the zone, all contributed to Goochland’s defensive stand. “We definitely had to box out – just hold them off the glass,” said Holman, who added four steals. Goff had three. At the top of the third quarter, New Kent parlayed takeaways into a 9-0 run to tighten Goochland’s lead to 3 points, but the Bulldogs, their coach said, didn’t fold. Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette The Trojans stayed in the hunt through the first few minutes of the fourth, but then Holman knocked down Wearing a mask and following social-distancing measures, a three-pointer with a defend- Goochland High School’s cheerleaders made their return to pump up the Goochland boys varsity basketball team in er in front of him to spark last Tuesday’s home game featuring New Kent. a massive run that lifted the Bulldogs into a 15-point lead “That was big shot; it defi- tum, then that got other guys with 2:05 to play. nitely gave us some momen- into the game...and they

Making a cheery return

started making shots, too,” Holman said. “We all just feed off of each other.” That run also included 3s from his fellow seniors Hoffler and Goff. With their stops transitioning to buckets, Holman added that they started to get into more sets on offense, getting them more open looks, and that they had less turnovers. The Bulldogs were strong once more from the free-throw line, making 11 of 14 total chances, although Gordon felt that, in the first half, they settled for some of their shots. While Gordon added that the Bulldogs did hit some good shots, he told the players at halftime that they needed to be more aggressive offensively. “I thought that was a good adjustment that our guys made,” he said. Taking better care of the basketball, both Holman and Gordon noted, is something that the Bulldogs will continue

to address going forward. “One of the things that I knew that we had to do a really good job of is getting back in transition,” Gordon added. “In that third quarter, there were some times that we didn’t get back into transition, and that’s something we still have to work on…we played teams in the past that pushed the ball really well in transition, and so that was one of the things we focused on. We did a decent job. I think we can do a better job consistently for four quarters. But he added: “Overall, I was proud of our guys…it’s a good win for us to get started in this crazy year right now... the changes that we made from the first game to the second game were huge.” Goochland was scheduled to host Richmond Spirit on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. at Goochland High School, and should next play at Amelia this coming Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Thursday

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