The Goochland Gazette – 03/11/2021 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Local teacher using social media to tackle roadside trash issue > page 3

Volume 66 Number 10 • March 11, 2021

State budget bill includes funds earmarked for electoral board, registrar salaries By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Contributed photo

A timely gift

County resident Jonathan Lyle, right, has spent years earning a reputation as one of Goochland’s most prolific public commenters, rarely missing an opportunity during a monthly Board of Supervisors or Planning Commission meeting to share his thoughts. Lyle keeps his comments unwaveringly positive and constructive, even when he stands in opposition to a proposal. His only foe? The pesky red light that signals the end of the three minutes that speakers are allowed during the public comment period (Lyle almost always uses his full allotment of time). In recognition of this, he recently was presented with a special commemorative farm license plate from Deputy County Administrator Derek Stamey. EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY AMERICAN MADE

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When Gov. Ralph Northam officially signs off of on the state budget bill currently awaiting his approval, it could mark the end of over a decade of waiting on the part of local electoral boards across the state. According to information shared with the Goochland Board of Supervisors by Goochland Electoral Board Secretary Robin Lind on March 2, the budget bill includes funds set aside to fully reimburse LIND localities for the salaries paid to registrars and electoral board members, a provision Lind explained had been requested for years. While the budget had yet to be signed as of last Tuesday, Lind said he had “no indication that see Budget > 2 Bedroom Furniture Dining and Living Room Furniture

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NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

March 11, 2021

Serving Goochland County

Richmond area health districts expand Phase 1b vaccinations Contributed report

of our Parents/Grandparents, Brother/Uncle. Bernard “BG”, Florence & Tony Payne. You all are truly missed and loved. So many precious memories! Love you always, Deborah & Jay, Mark, Shantee, Shaley and Family

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Starting March 8, more Phase 1b individuals in the Richmond metro area are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines for COVID-19 vaccines. Additional frontline essential workers and individuals aged 16-64 with certain medical conditions or disabilities that increase risk of severe COVID19 illness are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines, dependent on vaccine supply and appointment availability. Scheduling of appointments began March 8. “Our communities have been eagerly anticipating this COVID-19 vaccine,” said Amy Popovich, nurse manager at Richmond and Henrico Health Districts. “This is momentous for us; we’re one step closer to

having all of our communities vaccinated.” After receiving fewer COVID-19 vaccine supplies than expected from the federal government earlier this year, Richmond area health districts entered into a restricted Phase 1b. Until today, Phase 1b vaccines were only offered to the first three categories of frontline essential workers (police/fire/hazmat, homeless shelter/correctional facility workers, and childcare/K-12 school staff) and adults aged 65 and older. Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, Chesterfield Health District, and Chickahominy Health District have collectively decided to expand Phase 1b after receiving an increased supply of COVID-19 vaccines.

“In order to save as many lives as possible and stop the spread of COVID-19, we need to get vaccines into people’s arms as quickly and safely as possible” explained Dr. Tom Franck, Chickahominy Health District Director. “The increasing supply of vaccine and expansion of Phase 1b in our region is so encouraging because it means achieving these goals that much more quickly.” “Our frontline essential workers have served us all through difficult circumstances over the course of the past year in this pandemic,” said Dr. Alexander Samuel, director of Chesterfield Health District. “We hope the vaccine brings them a sense of security and relief.”

welcomes new patients with comprehensive, gentle dental care for all ages.

Since 1955

SPORTS

Black a state champ in pole vault event PAGE 8 Calendar ................................ 4 Classifieds ......................13-14 Letters .................................... 6 Obituaries .............................. 4 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports .................................7-9 TV Listings ......................10-12

Recent Property Transfers

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.

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

7467 Brandiston St., Glen Allen; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Richard A. Short Sr., $484,293. 7469 Brandiston St., Glen Allen; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Carolyn F. Matthews, trustee, $470,809. 12250 Bremner Ridge Circle, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to

Dennis Spurrier, $543,319. 616 Cross Ridge Lane, Manakin Sabot; Jerry R. Barnhill to Duane Kersey Blackwell, $605,000. 650 Fairhurst Court, Manakin Sabot; Boone Homes Inc. to Southey E. Thompson, $778,500. 168 Grayash, Richmond; Gary Lyle Odegaard to David

Charles Benton, $790,000. 1221 Hawkwell Drive, Maidens; Michael J. Dipaola to Kelly Jon Wilbar, $550,000. 4863 Kimber Lane, Gum Spring; Swain Priest to Jami Lynn Perkins, $330,000. 1410 W Monmouth Court, Richmond; McAdoo W. Pleasant to Urban Land Solutions LLC, $236,000.

Budget

cial provisions that were put in place during last year’s Presidential election are expected to become permanent. In addition to the salary reimbursement information, Lind reported several other election-related budget developments to county supervisors. Included in this year’s state budget will be one million

dollars set aside to reimburse localities for the cost of postage related to the mailing of absentee ballots; $300,000 set aside for voter outreach and education; and $3.5 million dedicated to increasing the salaries of local registrars to bring them in line with those of county treasurers, a move Lind said will help “address the increasing complexity of the job.”

continued from >1 the Governor will oppose the measure.” Lind said the move is an indication that, when it comes to the way elections are handled with regard to cost, “the state is finally beginning to pull its own weight.” Lind also shared with board members that the spe-

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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Serving Goochland County

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

March 11, 2021

Since 1955

Residents share concerns over roadside trash Frustrated with the lack of progress, a local teacher has created a Facebook page to address the issue By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Goochland resident Cindy Matejka had known for years that she wanted to do something about the overwhelming amount of trash she observed alongside the roadways in Goochland, the county where she grew up, started her family, and now works as a middle school English teacher. She knew that being quiet about it wasn’t going to do any good, nor was mincing any words. Basically, “our community is being destroyed by filth,” Matejka told Goochland County Supervisors last week during the board’s March 2 meeting. “Our county is starting to look like a third world country, and I can’t stand it.” Matejka is far from the first resident to voice concerns to county leaders over the issue of roadside trash, a problem that has

proved particularly difficult to eradicate in several areas of the county. Matejka pointed out during her remarks that her own road, Riddles Bridge Road, as well as Dogtown Road and Saint Paul’s Church Road were all areas being overrun by every kind of debris, ranging from bottles and cans to fast food packaging — even old tires and junked furniture. One day, she said, she counted 20 empty bottles in 20 feet of roadway. “I implore you to do something,” said Matejka, noting that she and others concerned about the problem have reached out to several state agencies for help without much success. When it comes to solving the issue, Matejka said, “there seems to be no accountability whatsoever.” She herself recently started a Facebook page entitled Clean up the Gooch, a page she reports “blew up overnight” as fellow residents shared their own frustration about the ever-growing collection of debris that has seemed to defy any local attempts to eradicate it in recent years. Matejka noted that, even in areas located near the county’s transfers stations, the problem cannot simply be explained by drivers accidently losing a piece or two of trash from the back of a pick-up. Not long ago, Matejka told supervisors, she watched a driver carelessly toss the trash from a fast food meal out the window of his truck. This is by no means the first time Goochland leaders have been implored by residents to address the issue of roadside trash: Former Goochland County

Sheriff’s Office now accepting applications for VSI scholarship Contributed report

The Goochland County Sheriff’s Office has announced that online applications for the Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute (VSI) Scholarship are now available for the 2021-2022 school year. The scholarship is available for students who are pursuing an education in law enforcement or criminal justice and are permanent residents in a Virginia county or city in which the Sheriff is a member of the VSI. With Goochland County Sheriff Steven N. Creasey being a member of VSI, students residing within Goochland

County are eligible. Students 18 or older must be registered to vote in Virginia and provide a copy of their voter registration card. Those under the age of 18 must provide a copy of a government issued picture ID with their home address, providing proof of residency. The program is limited to students attending Virginia colleges and universities. There will be two awards, one for full-time students and one for part-time students. To access the application, visit https://webportalapp. com/appform/login/2021virgi niasheriffinstitute.

There is a strict application deadline of May 1, 2021. Students must have submitted all information and the application by this date to be considered for the scholarship. Some additional requirements include: The student must receive a letter of recommendation from the current sheriff of the city or county of residence. Must be a criminal justice major. Pre-law or law does not qualify. Must be attending a Virginia college or university during the 2021-2022 school year.

administrator John Budesky discussed the issue during a Board of Supervisors meeting in February of last year, assuring residents that the county was not turning a blind eye. Some have suggested tighter monitoring and enforcement would help prevent would-be litterers from tossing trash, while others point out that actually catching someone in the act of tossing a bottle out the window is no easy task. For District 2 supervisor Neil Spoonhower, fighting roadside trash was not among the things he expected to see as a top priority among his constituents when he first took office. He soon realized, however, just how significant the problem is. Spoonhower said last year that he favors an approach similar to that used in Fluvanna, a county that has had success combating its own roadside garbage issues. There, he said, a combination of concerned citizens pitching in, strong local ordinances, and tough enforcement are what has made the major difference. It could work in Goochland as well, he said, particularly since so many residents are willing to help. To Matejka and others, the problem isn’t unsolvable. Provided residents, county leaders and local volunteer organizations are willing to work together in search of a solution, she said last week, she can envision a community that again resembles the Goochland in which she grew up. “You are our leaders,” she said. “Please help us. “We used to have a beautiful county — let’s make it that way again.”

Adult Continuing Education Classes in Goochland Adult Education classes to prepare individuals in need of a GED or basic math and reading skills, workforce activities training, employability skills training, computer literacy training.

For more information, Call Capital Region Adult Education at 804-780-6039

Open enrollment through May 2021

Have an idea for a community news story? Send news tips to Roslyn Ryan at rryan@goochlandgazette.com or contact the Gazette at (804) 339-7956.

Thursday

March 11, 2021

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Obituary EVELYN JOHNSON Mrs. Evelyn Johnson, 83, of Goochland, Va., departed this life on M o n d a y, March 1, 2021, at Henrico D o c t or s’ Ho s pit a l . She is s u r v i v e d JOHNSON by three sons, Douglas (Jackie), Arthur (Arlene) and Paul (Juanita); three daughters, Shirley Goins

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(Earnest), Rosemary Mayo (James) and Peggy Johnson; a son-in-law, Durlin Harris; 17 grandchildren, 16 greatgrandchildren; two sisters, Annie Brice, Helen Sharpe (Thomas); two brothers, Jessie Garrant Jr. and George Garrant; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Her remains rest at Marian Gray Thomas Funeral Home of Cumberland, Va., where public viewing will be held Sunday, March 7, from 1 to 6 p.m. Graveside services will be held Monday, March 8, at Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery, Goochland, Va. Rev. Dr. Gregory L. Beechaum Sr. officiating, Minister Joyce Harden, eulogist. www.mariangraythomas funeralhome.com.

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Library Calendar Wednesday, March 10 The library will be hosting “Parachute Play” from 3:30- 4:30 p.m. for those 8 years old and up. Go to https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/event/7527602 for a supply list and to register. This program is hosted virtually through Zoom and the meeting link will be sent to the email used for registration one day before the event occurs. For more information or if you have a special physical or communication need, please contact ask@ pamunkeylibrary.org This month’s Atlee Virtual Book Club selection is “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn, and a virtual meeting will be held from 11 a.m. – noon. A copy of the book can be picked up at the circulation desk, via curbside at the Atlee Branch Library, or checked out on hoopla and OverDrive. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary. libcal.com/event/7438285. This program is hosted virtually through Zoom and the meeting link will be sent to the email used for registration one day before the event occurs. For more information, or if you have a special physical or communication need, please contact ask@ pamunkeylibrary.org. Friday, March 12 The library will host a Werewolf for Teens program for those ages 11-18 from 4:45 – 5:45 p.m. Participants will be assigned a role each round. Determine who the Werewolf is before all the villagers are gone and you win! Register at https://pamunkeylibrary. libcal.com/event/7541153. This program is hosted virtually through Zoom and the meeting link will be sent to

ready to answer questions and get ready to use your knowledge. Registration required at https://pamunkeylibrary. libcal.com/event/7541876. This program is hosted virtually through Zoom and the meeting link will be sent to the email used for registraSaturday, March 13 tion one day before the event This month’s selection occurs. For more informaUKW Virtual Book Club tion, contact ask@pamunis “Rebecca” by Daphne keylibrary.org. DuMaurier, and the virtual meeting will be held from Thursday, March 25 11 a.m. to noon. Registration is required at https://pamunKate Chenery Tweedy, k e y l i b r a r y. l i b c a l . c o m / daughter of Secretariat’s event/7547067. This program owner-manager Penny is hosted virtually through Chenery and granddaughZoom and the meeting link ter of breeder Christopher will be sent to the email Chenery will share stories used for registration one day of visiting her grandfather’s before the event occurs. For more information or if you farm, The Meadow, and have a special physical or watching his thoroughbreds, communication need, please including Secretariat, race contact ask@pamunkeyli- at tracks throughout the northeast during this virtual brary.org. program from 7 – 8 p.m. Registration is required at Friday, March 19 https://pamunkeylibrary.libThe library will host a cal.com/event/7438285. This Kids’ LEGO club for those program is hosted through in grades K-5 from 3:30 Zoom and the meeting link 4:30 p.m.. Participants can will be sent to the email meet other LEGO fans and used for registration one day talk about their current crebefore the event occurs. For ations. Registration required more information, contact at https://pamunkeylibrary. ask@pamunkeylibrary.org. libcal.com/event/7527584. This program is hosted virtuSaturday, March 27 ally through Zoom and the meeting link will be sent to The library will hold a the email used for registra- CoderDojo Workshop for tion one day before the event those age 8 and up from 2 – 4 occurs. p.m. Learn how to develop For more information or logic-based coding skills and if you have a special physi- use creative problem-solving cal or communication need, with Scratch. Go to https:// please contact ask@pamun- pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/ event/7535862 to sign up. keylibrary.org. This program is hosted on Discord. For more informaTuesday, March 23 tion or if you have a special The Library will host physical or communication Teen Trivia Night for those need, please contact ask@ in grades 7 & up from 6 – 7 pamunkeylibrary.org. p.m. Have a pencil and paper the email used for registration one day before the event occurs. For more information or if you have a special physical or communication need, please contact ask@ pamunkeylibrary.org.

On Demand Videos How-to for Social Media Premieres Thursday, March 4-March 25 Have you been thinking about joining social media to stay in touch with family and friends or explore the world around you? Join us for weekly detailed, stepby-step presentations about what each platform is, how to make an account, basic tips on how to use it, and more. Starting March 4, go to https://www.youtube.com/ user/pamunkeylibrary or https://tinyurl.com/prladults to see the videos.

Storytime for Grownups Premieres Wednesday, March 10 Storytime is not just for kids! If you like to be read to, join us for a reading of “Galapago” from the collection Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine, a finalist for the 2019 National Book Award. Starting March 10, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/pamunkeylibrary or https://tinyurl.com/ prladults to see the video. For more information, contact ask@pamunkeylibrary.org.

Kitchen Close-ups: Peanut Butter Energy Balls Premieres Friday, March 5 Ages 3 & up with adult. Learn to make some quick and easy, no-bake, peanut butter oatmeal energy balls for a great afternoon snack. Starting March 5, go to https://www.youtube.com/ user/pamunkeylibrary or https://tinyurl.com/prlchildrens to see the video. For more information or if you have a special physical or communication need, please contact ask@pamunkeylibrary.org. see Calendar > 12

Thursday

March 11, 2021

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

County kicks off weekly COVID-19 vaccination clinics Contributed report Goochland County kicked off the start of local weekly COVID-19 vaccination clinics on Thursday, March 4th, in partnership with the Chickahominy Health District and Medical Reserve Corps. The focus of the initial clinics is on vaccinating senior citizens 75 years and older as well as 65 years and older with underlying health conditions. It is important to note that no walk-ins will be taken at these events; clinics are by appointment only and scheduled by the Chickahominy Health District. The first step in getting your appointment is preregistering. Instructions for pre-registering are listed below. On Thursday, March 4th, Goochland County vaccinated approximately 234 individuals over a fourhour event. These weekly vaccination clinics will initially vaccinate 200 to 250 individuals per week through the month of March and will expand capacity as vaccine supply allows. The local weekly vaccination clinics expand upon regional vaccination opportunities for Goochland citizens, which include events at the Richmond Raceway, HCA’s West Creek Emergency Center, Randolph Macon College, Hanover County, and New Kent County. Goochland County has been an active participant in the regional vaccination efforts helping to staff the Richmond Raceway and HCA’s West Creek Emergency Center with county employees and members of Goochland County Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services. In addition, county employees have been staffing the Chickahominy Health District/ Hanover County COVID-19 Call Center. Goochland residents, who are interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, need to pre-register either on-line or by phone. They will then be contacted about future vaccination opportunities and be given an appointment date/time/location. Individuals can easily pre-register via the following resources: Virginia Department of Health’s Vaccinate Virginia Website: https://vaccinate.virginia.gov/ . Vaccinate Virginia Call Center (8am - 8pm, 7 days a week): (877) VAX-IN-VA or (877) 829-4682 Chickahominy Health District Call Center (8am - 4:30pm, Monday – Friday): (804) 365-3240 Goochland County 65+ COVID Hotline – Serving those 65 and older: (804) 556-5828

Individuals who have previously filled out a survey or form are encouraged to check their status and update their information in the Vaccinate Virginia database by going to https://vaccinate.virginia.gov/ or calling (877) VAX-IN-VA or (877) 829-4682.

Contributed photos

Scenes from a recent COVID-19 clinic in Goochland.

Thursday

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

March 11, 2021

Officers’ restraint on display during protest By Roslyn Ryan Editor

To the officers responding to the protest in Goochland last week, another in a series of demonstrations following the death of Charlottesville resident Xzavier Hill, I think it might be important for you to hear something: Thank you. Thank you for keeping your cool, even when many others would not have been able. Yes, we all know it’s part of the job, but I doubt that makes it any easier. Thank you for letting a grieving young mother, a woman who has suffered perhaps the worst loss anyone can possibly imagine — the loss of her beloved only child — scream in your faces and vent her bottomless grief.

Thank you for letting demonstrators insult you, even blame you, and never batting an eye. I can’t begin to imagine LaToya Benton’s heartbreak, but maybe you can. From where she is standing, still lost in an abyss of grief, she could be forgiven perhaps for not remembering that law enforcement officers are people, and often parents. In all likelihood you have lost someone you love, and felt the deep grief that only time can heal. Maybe that’s why you were able to turn the other cheek. There also is, I would imagine, a very good chance that you have witnessed plenty of grieving over the course of your career, and seen plenty of things you’ll never be able to forget. This afternoon I was

remembering an old news story I recently came across about a cop who had once been called to a house where an infant wasn’t breathing. Despite the best efforts of the officer and other rescue workers, the infant did not survive. One day a few years later, the child’s mother was trying to find his grave — as it turned out she had not been able to afford a marker and was having some difficulty locating the place where he had been buried. The man who eventually helped her find it turned out to be the officer who had responded to the call that terrible night. He knew where the grave was because he had quietly visited it a number of times over the years, never telling anyone, just stopping by to say a prayer now and then

for a tiny child he’d never been able to forget. I know there are plenty of stories like this out there, just like there are plenty of mothers like LaToya Benton. And I would doubt that there was a single officer present in Goochland who would not do absolutely anything in his or her power to bring her son back to her. There are many very difficult things our law enforcement officers are asked to do each and every day, and not all of them require physical strength or courage in the face of danger. In showing patience to a young woman who has been dealt one of life’s cruelest blows, you displayed a quality that is critical to the job yet so rarely noticed: you showed your humanity.

Letter to the Editor Quarles. His and my elected service to the people of Goochland and Powhatan, respectively overlapped in past years. During that time, we worked together and talkDear Editor, ed frequently as members of It is with sadness that I our Boards of Supervisors. note the death of William William was a delight to

Late local leader remembered for displaying open mind, gentle spirit

work with: approachable, accessible, thoughtful, civil, sincere. I was awestruck again and again by his smile, his authenticity, his empathy and especially by the seriousness with which he took his job. He always tried to

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do the right thing, to listen attentively, to be a servant leader. His acquaintances and colleagues learned much from him. He was a gentleman … and a gentle man. Carson Tucker Powhatan

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

After successful career, former refugee devoted life to giving children joy By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

Sometimes it’s the people you hear the least about who make the biggest impact in our society. That’s certainly the case when it comes to Henri Landwirth, an immigrant from Belgium who came to America with $20 in his pocket following World War II. His escape from a devastated Europe and the horror of losing both parents in concentration camps would be subject enough to induce marvel, but Landwirth followed up with a lifetime of success and service. Landwirth escaped from the camps and was reunited with the only surviving member of his family, a beloved twin sister. Shortly after his arrival in America, he was drafted and served in the Army before he began a career in the hotel business. Working his way up in his chosen career, Landwirth eventually obtained the Starlite Motel in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Now, the Starlite has a history all its own and is a piece of Space Coast history and a place well

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.

known to Cocoa locals. In the early days of America’s entry in the space race, Cape Canaveral was a deserted stretch of beach that housed launch and training facilities for NASA. In those early NASA days, everyone associated with the program, including the original Mercury astronauts, stayed at the Starlite, and Landwirth established lasting friendships with many of them, including close friend John Glenn. Landwirth retired after a long career as a successful hotelier and contacted Make-AWish to inquire how he could help the children they served who came to Orlando. After assessing the need, Landwirth began building Give Kids the World Village, an escape for children who have critical diseases and their families to enjoy a vacation week of fun and excitement. With the help of former astronauts and philanthropists from across the globe, GKTW has grown and now hosts thousands of families annually to a location where everything is designed for kids, many of them critically ill. It’s a place where every little girl is a princess, and every young lad a dashing prince and children play in a world without stares or judgments. The days are filled with magical events and the nights bring surprises as cookies and milk arrive at each villa followed by daily gifts delivered each morning ... and ice cream is available whenever the spirit moves. But, there’s more to GKTW than the story book setting and

see Landwirth > page 12

Thursday

March 11, 2021

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

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Coach Fruth: ‘This is our first impression’ Bulldogs shut out Albemarle in first meeting By Nick Vandeloecht Sports Editor

CHARLOTTESVILLE -With a lockdown defensive effort, Goochland shut out future Jefferson District opponent Albemarle 27-0 in a historic first meeting between the two programs. “This was our first impression,” said Goochland head football coach Alex Fruth. “This is our first time to show the people in the Jefferson District that we might be a 3A school, we might be smaller in size in terms of the number of kids in our building, but we play a really good brand of football. We’re going to be physical. We’re going to be a tough out anytime we play anybody in the Jefferson. “It was a good chance to kind of introduce ourselves.” Senior Conner Popielarz led the Bulldogs in rushing with 87 yards on 13 carries and twin 6-yard rushing touchdowns in the second half. His senior teammate Kameron Holman rushed for 68 yards on six carries, including one for a long rush of 27 yards. He also caught a bomb of a 50-yard touchdown from junior quarterback C.J. Towles in the second quarter for the Bulldogs’ first score on Saturday. Towles completed five of 10 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. Earlier in the game, Goochland came up with a huge stop in the first quarter when the defense held the hosting Patriots to fourth down at Goochland’s 15-yard line, and senior linebacker Will Stratton

Photos by Joel C. Brown

Above, clockwise: Kameron Holman (2) runs the football in Friday’s game versus Albemarle; Eyan Pace (22) caught for 2 passes and 49 yards and added a 29-interception for a touchdown; Will Stratton blocks an Albemarle field goal attempt.

dove in to block the field goal try for his ninth blocked kick in two seasons. “That’s what he does! I told him before that play, ‘Hey,

Will, go block this kick,’” said Stratton’s Goochland teammate and fellow senior linebacker Anthony Holland. “He blocked the kick! That’s what

he does!” Defense continued to shine in the third quarter as Holland’s stop in the back field for a loss of 7 yards pushed the

Patriots back to their 19-yard line on fourth down. The short punt that followed landed on Albemarle’s 36. Goochland, led on the fol-

lowing drive by Popielarz, steadily moved the chains on the ground until Popielarz broke a tackle in his 6-yard trip to the end zone. Sophomore kicker Tyler Black, who had 3 PATs in Friday’s game, pinned Albemarle at its 8-yard line on the ensuing kickoff. Eyan Pace soon picked off a Patriots’ pass along the sideline near the home team’s 30 and took it to the house for a 20-0 lead. Holland was in on 12 tackles, had three tackles for loss (TFL) and delivered a sack. Stratton and Omarion Quarles were each in on seven tackles. Quarles added a TFL. “We just stayed focused; we read what they were doing,” Holland said. “They switched to a zone run, we read it and we capitalized, executed.” Albemarle’s offense was held to 80 yards rushing and 45 yards passing. Fruth praised the defensive line across the board, with De’Andre Robinson, Isaiah Walker, Enrique Alvarez, Kai Burton and Ayden Doczi all bringing pressure and contributing to the shutout. “All those guys did a great job; our linebackers were phenomenal. Watching Omarion and Will and Anthony...those guys were everywhere on the field,” Fruth said. “When they’re playing the way they play, it makes the secondary’s lives so much easier. “Those linebackers, that defensive front, man, they played exactly how we need them to play,” Fruth said. “They were fun to watch.” Goochland (2-0), who soared to first place in VHSL’s Region 3B rankings, remains on the road this Saturday for a 1 p.m. afternoon game at Liberty High School in Bealeton.

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Tyler Black a state champion in pole vault By Nick Vsndeloecht Sports Editor

GOOCHLAND -- It was through his dad that Tyler Black became a competitive pole vaulter. Tom Black was a track and field coach at VCU and currently coaches at Louisa County High School. Tyler was younger than he can remember when his dad first got him into it, but it was around eighth grade when he got competitive in pole vaulting. “As I got better, it got more and more enjoyable as it went on.” Tyler is now a state champion. The Goochland High School sophomore won the Virginia High School League Class 3 pole vaulting title with a vault of 13 feet, a foot-anda-half higher than Maggie Walker senior Kunal Chand’s runner-up mark of 11-6. “It was pretty cool – something that I didn’t think was really going to happen this year,” Black said. “It was just cool, and a different experience.” Tyler had to qualify for

states by making top three in the Class 3, Region B pole vaulting event. During a strange athletic year in which the COVID19 pandemic has continued to affect meets, matches, games and practices, Tyler wasn’t able to have a practice since he participated in one of his meets to qualify for regionals, which took place two weeks prior. Despite going two weeks without practice, Tyler won the regional championship with a vault of 13-6. He said it was a matter of “just kind of thinking about it, knowing what I had to do when I got there.” “We just kind of swung at it and got 13-6,” he said. “I was a little surprised by it. I didn’t think I was going to do that good. I was thinking: I think I’ve got a chance at going 13, but not really 13-6.” But all of the work and time that he had put into his craft over the years came into play. With a limited amount of practice days to get on the pole due to the pandemic, Tyler’s family has a setup at his house where he can get some work in. He and his dad have also been able to do work at the pole vault-

ing pit at Fork Union Military Academy’s indoor facility. In addition, this was Tyler’s second year placing at states. He took sixth last year as a freshman with a mark of 12-6. “I think that really got me going into this year,” Tyler said, “and I kind of understood all the little stuff…that helped me just keep a good mindset up to the meets.” Going into the Class 3 state competition at Liberty University, the plan was to just go to the meet, have fun and have a good competition. “If I come in first, good job; we just want to have a good jump day, go high,” Tyler said of the mindset. He came away with Goochland’s first track and field state championship since Branden Pleasants, Larry Minor, Austin Bruce and Reid Caudill won the 3200-meter relay in 2016, as well as the school’s first indoor track and field state title since McCarthur Henley won the 600-yard dash in 1978. Tyler likes the environment of pole vaulting, as well as the challenge and “all the little

details you have to put into it.” He’s also the starting kicker and punter in his second season on Goochland’s varsity football team. When he goes between the two sports, sometimes he’ll try and incorporate parts of one into the other. Explosiveness is one such element; it comes into play when he’s at the back of the runway and he has to get up to speed for the pole vault, as well as when he runs up to kick the football towards the opponent’s end zone or through the uprights. After he landed a 33-yard field goal, kicked eight PATs and had a kickoff that the opposing team fumbled into its own end zone – leading to a Goochland touchdown – in his first two games, he’s hoping to keep up his strong start to this season and keep improving. After football, Tyler will have the outdoor track and field season to look forward to. He feels good about how he did at regionals, and he has his sights set on a mark of 14 feet, as well as on going to states and improving upon his performances up to this point.

Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

Tyler Black, a sophomore at Goochland High School and the football team’s starting kicker, is now a state champion in the pole vault after winning the Class 3 indoor state track and field title on March 2 at Liberty University.

Roundup: XC runners dominate, golfer Manno medals Staff Reports

Goochland High School’s cross country teams dominated the program’s season-opening home meet with RandolphHenry, sweeping the top-five placements in both the boys and girls races. Senior Jack Hoffler won the boys race featuring 16 finishers in 18:25 minutes, and senior Grace Juran won the girls race featuring 10 finishers in 21:10. File photos/Goochland Gazette Helping sweep the boys’ top Goochland seniors Jack Hoffler and Grace Juran were the top five for Goochland were sophoplacers in the cross country team’s season-opening meet.

more Drew Meiller (19:23), freshman Luke Farkas (20:34), junior Grayson Cagwin (20:49) and senior Reid Dameron (21:01). Helping sweep the girls’ top five for Goochland were senior Elizabeth Owens (22:04), juniors Megan Painter (22:12) and Anneliese Rogerson (22:52) and freshman Maggie Goodman (24:50). Goochland swept the top nine placements in the boys race. Placing sixth through ninth were juniors Ben McCray

Manno shot a low score of 42 to earn medalist honors in the Bulldogs’ varsity golf team’s 180-231 season-opening victory over Amelia on Thursday. Behind Manno, senior Kyle Goff and sophomore Matthew Floegel each shot a 44, and Will Gravely rounded out the team’s top four with a score of 50. After holding its home opener versus Cumberland on Tuesday, Goochland will Golfers defeat Amelia host Amelia at the Hermitage Country Club on Thursday at Goochland freshman Luke 3:30 p.m. (21:54) and Cody Ware (22:26), freshman Anthony Esposito (22:50) and junior Jonah Bruce (24:30). Goochland’s remaining top10 placers in the girls race were freshman Leah Kelley in sixth (25:27) and junior Abby Pillion in 10th (38:44). Goochland will host Amelia and Cumberland on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

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Ben Verlander joining Fox Sports as baseball analyst By Zach Joachim Richmond Times-Dispatch

Even during his playing career, Ben Verlander, a Goochland High graduate and former All-American at Old Dominion University, says he believed his purpose in life was to talk about baseball. “When I finished playing, I knew the direction I wanted to go in,” he said. He’ll get that opportunity on a national level, having signed on as Fox Sports’ newest MLB contributor. Ben is the younger brother of Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander, an MVP and two-time Cy Young winner. Both played at Goochland and ODU. Ben was drafted by the Detroit Tigers — at the time, Justin’s team — in the 14th round of the 2013 MLB draft. Along with catcher John Hicks, one of Ben’s best friends, that made three Goochland graduates in the Tigers’ organization at once. Verlander was a pitcher and played outfield at Goochland, and in his first two years at ODU under current Monarchs coach Chris Finwood. “[ODU] is where the switch flipped for me,”he said.

“It’s where I realized, ‘You know, I can do this.’” But as a pitcher and hitter, he was “an average Division I baseball player.” It wasn’t until a life-changing conversation with Finwood that his career took off. After Verlander’s sophomore season, Finwood told him in his office that, if he wanted to play professionally, he needed to pick pitching or hitting. He was a marginally better hitter, and so he chose life in the field and batter’s box. But another key factor drove the decision, too. “I wanted to create my own path,” Verlander said. “I love my brother and I’m super proud of him and his career. But I wanted to have my own story. And my story isn’t the same.” The renewed commitment came to fruition immediately — Verlander hit .367 his junior year (2013) with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs en route to AllAmerica honors. He then left ODU for the draft and spent 2014-17 jumping around different levels of Single-A. Verlander made an assortment of cherished memories in his pro career, not the least of which is the only time he

2010, Dean Hoffmeyer/Times-Dispatch

Ben Verlander was a standout at Goochland High School before attending Old Dominion University, where he chose to play in the field instead of remaining a pitcher like his brother, Justin. “I love my brother and I’m super proud of him and his career. But I wanted to have my own story. And my story isn’t the same.”

faced his brother in a game setting. It was spring training in Florida, and Ben was playing on a field adjacent to the one where Justin was starting a game. Ben asked a minor league administrator if he could jump in the other game momentarily to face Justin, and got the OK. Ben hid behind the dugout as the leadoff hitter popped out to right field. Justin turned to watch the ball get caught and, upon turning back around, saw for the first time in his life his brother digging in to face him. Ben, the career minor leaguer, saw just one

pitch from Justin, the former MVP. Crack. Ben sent Justin’s fastball soaring over the center field fence for a home run. The catcher, James McCann, took his helmet off to laugh. Justin was initially perturbed, but allowed himself a smirk at the end. “I touch home, I run back to my other field and I never come back,” Ben said, laughing. The brothers were rooming together at spring training, and Justin asked later that night why Ben didn’t come back to face him again. “I don’t ever want to face

you again in my life,” Ben responded. He is 1 for 1 with a homer off Justin Verlander, and he plans to keep it that way. During his time with the organization, Ben also fostered a pair of close relationships with Tigers legends Al Kaline and Kirk Gibson. He met Kaline, a Hall of Famer who spent 22 years with the Detroit franchise, when the former was just 14 years old, and their rapport grew over the years. Kaline, who died in April 2020, would eat lunch with Ben in the cafeteria, sharing stories for hours about life and baseball. “There’s not many guys like that in baseball, who were as good as he was and as humble and kind and caring,” Verlander said. Early one morning in spring training when the sun had barely risen, Verlander walked into the cage to get some swings. Then, in came former NL MVP and twotime World Series champion Kirk Gibson. “You need someone to feed you?” Gibson asked Verlander. Gibson pulled up a bucket to sit on and put baseballs on the tee for Verlander. They talked about hitting and life.

Verlander said he was able to recognize then that something special was happening. “I have that ability to be in the moment and realize how cool it is,” Verlander said. “And I just remember swinging with Kirk Gibson right next to me and thinking: This is really, really cool, and one day I’m going to tell all these stories that mean so much to me and entertain people.” Verlander was in Los Angeles a couple years after his playing career ended when his agent set up a meeting with Michael Bucklin, the vice president of digital, audio and video at Fox Sports. That got the ball rolling on his journalistic career, and Verlander first appeared with the network as a host for its 2020 World Series Watch Party. Fox Sports has brought on more multimedia personalities since relaunching its app and website in July. Verlander’s hiring is part of a renewed push to generate original content. “I feel like I’m exactly where I need to be. It all has led to this,” Verlander said. “I’ve known this is what I’m supposed to be doing in my life.”

Goochland volleyball wins opening games in straight sets Staff Reports

Goochland’s young but experienced volleyball team opened its 2020-21 season strong with a sweep of its first week, defeating both Nottoway and Amelia County in straight sets. Facing James River District opponent Nottoway in its season opener on the road last Tuesday, Goochland won

25-20, 25-16 and 25-12. Among the returners, sophomore setter Nicole Brown had 13 assists, four digs and three aces, junior outside hitter Nova Wonderling delivered 11 kills and six digs, senior outside hitter Taylor Michaels had four aces, and junior left-side hitter Blair Bussells had four aces and three digs. Sophomore middle hitter Layla Ford added three kills and junior setter Marina

Stratiou had six assists. In its first home match of the season on Thursday, Goochland was dominant against another James River District opponent, routing Amelia 25-9, 25-7, 25-14. Brown had nine assists, three kills and one ace, Wonderling had five aces and five kills, Ford had three aces, two kills and six blocks and Michaels had two aces, two kills and two digs.

Goochland volleyball was slated to play at Central Lunenburg on Tuesday and will match up with Cumberland on the road on Thursday at 6 p.m. The Bulldogs return home for a 7 p.m. matchup with Randolph-Henry on Monday before heading to Powhatan for another 7 p.m. matchup on Tuesday. Goochland will then host Nottoway next Thursday at 6 p.m.

Goochland High School sophomore Nicole Brown (16) receives the ball in a home varsity volleyball match featuring James River District opponent Amelia on Thursday. Brown totaled 22 assists in Goochland’s opening week. Photo by Joel C. Brown

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