The Goochland Gazette – 07/22/2021 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Through thick and thin, siblings share a special bond > page 6

Volume 66 Number 28 • July 22, 2021

“I

n today’s society, there are forces that would like to keep history taught as it was. When I was in school we were taught, when there were cowboys and Indians, that the cowboys were the good guys and the Indians were the bad guys. We were taught that the Civil War was about states’ rights not about slavery. It’s important that our children know the truth. It’s not about revisionist history, but truthful history.” —Vernon Fleming

“H

onestly, what he was talking about does not sound like anything I would want my kids to learn about at all, in any way, shape or fashion. I don’t want people to be looking at everyone through the prism of race. I want them to be judged on the content of their character. When you end up talking about race as a black and white scenario, where black people end up being treated as second class citizens all the time…it doesn’t reflect reality...I don’t want kids to be taught that.” — Patrick Jackson

The future of the past As school sch hooll divisions diviisiions grapple grapplle with h calls for for changes to the way history is taught, some parents have taken aim at what they call a divisive message creeping into classrooms

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

As school divisions across the nation continue to wade into the debate over how history should be taught in public schools, several Goochland residents recently told county school board members that they vehemently oppose any inclusion of Critical Race Theory

see History > page 1

BOS: Marijuana still a no-no for county workers By Roslyn Ryan Editor

While Virginia may have legalized recreational marijuana use on July 1, those employed by Goochland County should not expect much to change when it comes to the county leadership’s view on the matter. During the July 6 Board of Supervisor’s meeting, board members voted to amend the county’s Human Resource Policy manual to clarify the definition

of controlled substance to specifically include marijuana. But while the manual will now include language acknowledging the changes in the Code of Virginia, Goochland County will continue to conduct preemployment and random drug screening for controlled substances, which includes marijuana. According to the policy, “candidates for positions that do not require a commercial driver’s

see Marijuana > 4

Elk Hill’s Spears reappointed to state Children’s Services Council Contributed report Gov. Ralph Northam has appointed Ronald K. Spears, Chief Executive Officer of Elk Hill, to the State E xe c u t i ve Council of Children’s Services. Spears was first appointSPEARS ed to the E xe c u t i ve Council in April 2021 to fill an open vacancy. Last week,

Governor Northam reappointed him to the position for three additional years. Spears’ 40-year career has been dedicated to improving the lives of children across the Commonwealth of Virginia. He has been with Elk Hill for 38 years, beginning his tenure as Chief Executive Officer in July 2020. “I am incredibly honored to serve on the Children’s Services Executive Council and appreciate the confidence Governor see Spears > page 3

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Thursday

July 22, 2021

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

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History continued from >1

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(CRT) in the curriculum. Speaking during the public comment period of the July 13 county school board meeting, the handful of residents

“[W]e’re worried about making people feel safe — it’s not my job to make somebody feel safe. It’s their job to be strong enough to know that their voice matters.” Goochland resident Scott Cardoni expressed concern that any attempt by the school division to introduce the controversial academic framework—which has spawned intense debate in many parts of the country over the lens through which students should be taught American history—would spell disaster for local students

Land Cattle & Timber Corp. to Matthew C. Gilman, $235,000. Lot 1, Block A, Section 3, Dover Branch; Dover Branch LLC to Blue Ridge Custom Homes LLC, $169,950. Lot 19, Tuckahoe Creek; Tuckahoe Creek LLC to Rajendra M. Patel, $294,850. Lot 6, Block C, Section 2, BreezeHill; Krickovic and Ziegler LLC to Stuart Carl Norton, $175,000. Lot 27, Tuckahoe Creek; Tuckahoe Creek LLC to Harold A. Bernstein, $274,950.

and the community at large. Some localities, including Chesterfield, have announced bans on the teaching of CRT, while others, like Powhatan, have indicated that they would be willing to enact a ban if they could further clarify exactly what is — and isn’t — considered to be part of a CRT curriculum. Goochland school leaders have previously stated that CRT is not taught in county schools, but that didn’t deter residents, many of them parents of Goochland County Public School students, from voicing their concerns over what may happen in the future. While one resident during the July 1 meeting, Vernon Fleming, urged board members to ensure that students — particularly students of color —were presented with accurate and inclusive portrayals of American history that included a focus on how minority students fit into the overall historical narrative, many speakers warned that the CRT approach would only increase division among student populations. Goochland resident Scott Cardoni, a former teacher who is now a practicing attorney, told board members that he remains deeply concerned

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about teachers not stressing critical thinking skills in the classroom and instead telling students what to think. He insisted that introducing concepts such as Critical Race Theory and forcing students to accept them would be tantamount to indoctrination. Students “have got to be able to think,” Cardoni said. “And I just feel like the more I watch this, I’m super concerned that we are not even worried about that. We’re worried about an agenda, we’re worried about making people happy, we’re worried about making people feel safe — it’s not my job to make somebody feel safe. It’s their job to be strong enough to know that their voice matters. And that’s what we teach them. But they can’t do that if they can’t think on their own.” To Goochland resident Sarah Rowe, schools should remain focused on unity rather than division. “We are all created in the image of our maker,” said Rowe. “We are one race, that is the human race. We might have different traditions, and we might have a different level of melanin in our skin, but we

see CRT > page 3

SPORTS

Popielarz discusses weightlifting journey PAGE 8 Calendar ................................ 4 Classifieds ......................13-14 Obituaries .............................. 4 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports .................................7-9 TV Listings ......................10-12

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

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Thursday

July 22, 2021

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

WE ARE NOW OPEN

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

1601 Hockett Rd. Manakin Sabot, VA Contributed photo

Take me out to the ball game! The Murren family enjoyed a night out at the Richmond Flying Squirrels game over the weekend. Shown are, from left, Mackenzie, Rick, Olivia and Owen (momma Kristy was taking the photo).

CRT continued from >2 are created by the Almighty…I feel compassion for anyone who feels as though, because of their color, they have been disenfranchised. I truly do. We need to create a system of education, and create equal opportunity, but that does not necessarily mean an equal result.” Addressing the matter at the close of the Public Comment period, school superintendent

Spears continued from >1 Northam has in my ability to help guide policy decisions that will improve the lives of Virginia’s youth,” commented Spears. To Elk Hill’s Board Chair, Charles E. Bradshaw III, Spears is uniquly qualified to serve in

Dr. Jeremy Raley assured those in attendance that the school division has no plans to introduce CRT into classrooms. “I think it’s important for our public to note that, as a school division, the curriculum that we teach in our classrooms are aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning, and nowhere in the Virginia Standards of Learning is there Critical Race Theory, nor is there Critical Race Theory in our school division curricu-

lum,” Raley said. Beginning several months ago, when the issue was first raised by parents and community members, “we assured our community that while there may be challenges coming from Washington DC and from Richmond, Virginia, that we were going to continue to do what is best for Goochland County Public Schools and the community that we represent,” Raley said. “And that’s not going to change.”

the role. “Ron has spent decades working with children, families, schools,” Bradshaw said, “and the community to design solutions that allow children impacted by mental health challenges to overcome overwhelming obstacles and dream of bright futures.” Elk Hill, a nonprofit orga-

nization headquartered in Goochland, has been providing a continuum of mental health services to youth across Central Virginia for over 50 years. Services include individual and group mental health therapies, specialized schools, residential programs, community outreach, and daily therapeutic treatments.

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Thursday

July 22, 2021

Marijuana Eyes of the Wild: Zanimal Saturday, July 24, 11 – 11:45 a.m. The show will feature Eyes of the Wild’s amazing rescued wildlife. You might see a Patagonian Cavy or maybe a Veiled Chameleon catching his lunch! We’ll discuss the animals, their habitats, and things you can do to help preserve the environment and protect the amazing animals with whom we share our planet! Be prepared to ask some questions too - the more you ask, the more you learn.

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Library Calendar

continued from >1 license, will have an opportunity to provide prescription documentation from a medical provider, should they receive a positive test result for marijuana.” For those without a prescription, possession of a controlled substance, including marijuana, while performing duties or on county property is still prohibited. Additionally, employees are barred from reporting to work or performing duties while under the influence of marijuana.

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Located at Oilville exit on Rt. 617

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3042 Poorhouse Road, Goochland, 23063 LD

Registration required at https:// pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/ event/7694549. This program is hosted virtually through Zoom and the meeting link will be sent to the email used for registration 1 day before the event occurs. If you don’t receive your reminder email on Friday, July 23, please contact the library. For more information, please contact ask@pamunkeylibrary.org. CoderDojo Workshop Saturday, July 31, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Ages 8 & up. Learn how to develop logic-based coding skills and use creative problemsolving with Scratch. Go to https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/event/7687561 to sign up. This program is hosted on Discord. For more information or if you have a special physical or communication need, please contact ask@pamunkeylibrary. org.

On Demand Videos Rainbow Puppets: Amazon Adventures Monday, June 28 – Sunday, July 11. Enjoy a virtual show of Rainbow Puppets’ Amazon Adventures! Featuring fun and creepy creatures from the Amazon including a giant anaconda, piranhas, and electric eels. Starting June 28, go to https://tinyurl.com/prlsummerreading to find out how to see the video. For more information or if you have a special physical or communication need, please contact ask@pamunkeylibrary. org.

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Invisible Ink Premieres Tuesday, July 6. Grades K-8. Earn some spy skills and follow along with our video to learn how to write a secret message with invisible ink. Starting July 6, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/ pamunkeylibrary or https://

research with library resources and tools. Starting July 22, go to https://www.youtube.com/ user/pamunkeylibrary or https://tinyurl.com/prladults to see the video. For more information or if you have a special physical or commuStorytime for Grownups Premieres Wednesday, July nication need, please contact 14. Storytime is not just for kids! ask@pamunkeylibrary.org. If you like to be read to, join us Getting Buggy with It! for a monthly short story for Premieres Friday, July 23 adults. Starting July 14, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/ Grades PreK-5. Learn how pamunkeylibrary or https:// to use recycled materials and tinyurl.com/prladults to see the things in your yard to build a video. For more information or bug hotel, and find out why you if you have a special physical would want to build such a thing or communication need, please (Hint: There’s a really good reacontact ask@pamunkeylibrary. son!). Starting July 23, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/ org. pamunkeylibrary or https:// Kitchen Close-ups: Veggie tinyurl.com/prlchildren to see the video. For more information Pizza Bars or if you have a special physical Premieres Friday July 16 Looking for a healthy, or communication need, please refreshing snack this summer? contact ask@pamunkeylibrary. Follow along with our video to org. make some easy cream cheese and fresh veggie appetizer bars. Take & Makes Starting July 16, go to https:// Cork Flags w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m / u s e r / Pickup starting Thursday, pamunkeylibrary or https:// tinyurl.com/prlchildrens to see July 1 at 10 a.m. Ages 18 & up. the video. For more information, Pick up a kit starting July 1 at please contact ask@pamunkeyli- the Rockville Branch Library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road and brary.org. learn how to make cork flags, while supplies last. A tutorial Poetry Break video will also be available on Premieres Wed,, July 21 Take a break and visit our our YouTube channel at https:// YouTube channel at www. www.youtube.com/user/pamunyoutube.com/user/pamunkeylibrary and our website at keylibrary or https://tinyurl. https://tinyurl.com/prladults.For more information or if you have com/prladults starting July 21 a special physical or communicafor monthly poems to uplift tion need, please contact ask@ and inspire you. This month, pamunkeylibrary.org. Elizabeth will read poems on the theme of “Food.” For more Sunflowers! Pickup starting Thursday, information or if you have a special physical or commu- July 1 at 10 a.m. All ages. Pick nication need, please contact up your kit starting July 1 at the Ashland Branch Library at 201 ask@pamunkeylibrary.org. S. Railroad Avenue, while supplies last. A tutorial video will be Genealogy 101 available on YouTube channel at Premieres Thurs, July 22 Find out how to get start- https://www.youtube.com/user/ ed with your own genealogy pamunkeylibrary and website at tinyurl.com/prlteens to see the video. For more information or if you have a special physical or communication need, please contact ask@pamunkeylibrary. org.

https://tinyurl.com/prladults. For more information, please contact ask@pamunkeylibrary.org. Bird Houses Pickup starting Thursday, July 1 at 10 a.m. Assemble your own birdhouse with this fun craft, and decorate with paint and/or stickers to have a unique and personal final product. Pick up your kit starting July 1 at the King & Queen Branch Library at 396 Newtown Road, while supplies last. A tutorial video will also be available on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube. com/user/pamunkeylibrary and our website at https://tinyurl. com/prlchildrens. For more information, please contact ask@pamunkeylibrary.org. Break-in Bags Pickup starting Thursday, July 1 at 10 a.m. Grades 6-12. Battle the puzzles and open the locks in this escape room on the go. Finish the tasks and the goodies inside are yours for the taking! Pick up your bag starting July 1 at the Ashland Branch Library at 201 S. Railroad Avenue, while supplies last. For more information or if you have a special physical or communication need, please contact ask@pamunkeylibrary. org. Embroidery Floss Bracelets Pickup starting Thursday, July 8 at 10 a.m. Grades 6-12. Make an embroidery floss bracelet at home. Pick up your kit starting July 8 at the West Point Branch Library at 721 Main Street, while supplies last. A tutorial video will also be available on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/ user/pamunkeylibrary and our website at https://tinyurl.com/

see Calendar > page 15

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Thursday

July 22, 2021

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Still need your COVID-19 vaccine? Many options available throughout the county Contributed report Do you know someone who needs or wants the COVID-19 Vaccine? Everyone in Virginia Age 12 or Older is Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine. Below are local and regional opportunities to get vaccinated including pop-up community opportunities.

Vaccine Opportunities Manakin Farmers Market Vaccine Clinic – July 31st (9 a.m. – Noon) The Manakin Farmers Market will host a free popup Pfizer Vaccine Clinic on Saturday, July 31st from 9 a.m. to Noon, no appointment needed, no insurance needed. It is open to adults and children ages 12 – 17, children will need a parent or guardian to accompany them. The Manakin Farmers Market is located at 68 Broad Street Rd., Manakin Sabot, VA 23103.

COVID-19 Vaccinations at their respective buildings on the following Dates and Times: Goochland Health Department offers vaccines every Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. Charles City Health Department: offers vaccines on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of every month from 1-3 p.m. Hanover Health Department offers vaccines every Wednesday from 1-3 p.m. New Kent Health Department offers vaccines every 1st, 3rd, & 5th Wednesday of the month from 1-3 p.m. Appointments are required and can be set through the Chickahominy Health District’s Call Center at 804-365-3240.

tion in Goochland, Hanover, Charles City, and New Kent counties. All three COVID-19 vaccines are available. Johnson & Johnson and Moderna are available for anyone 18 or older. Pfizer is available for anyone 12 and older. To schedule a vaccine at a clinic or outside of the Chickahominy Health District visit www.vaccines. gov.

Goochland pharmacies

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources are available by calling 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682) & Vaccinate. Virginia.gov The call center is available six days a week, Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vaccines.gov helps you find locations that carry COVID-19 vaccines and their contact information. Because every location handles appointments differently, you will need to schedule your appointment directly with the location you choose. Grocery stores, pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and medical facilities are now offering COVID-19 vaccines. To get started visit https://www.vaccines.gov/ today.

In addition to getting vaccinated at the Goochland Health Department, residents can get vaccinated locally at Dawson’s Pharmacy or Goochland Pharmacy, both of which are located in the Courthouse Village. For questions about Appointments are required COVID-19 or more informa Chickahominy and can easily be scheduled tion please visit https://www. Health District via the phone numbers below. vdh.virginia.gov, https:// offers Home www.vdh.virginia.gov/covidDawson’s Pharmacy Vaccination 19-faq/, and https://www. (804) 556-3311 vdh.virginia.gov/chickahomappointments 2728 Fairground Rd iny/. Are you in need of Goochland, VA 23063 Chickahominy a COVID-19 vaccinaHealth District’s tion in your home? The Goochland Pharmacy Health Goochland Health Chickahominy (804) 556-3607 District’s Mobile Vaccination 1954 Sandy Hook Rd Department Team will come to you for Goochland, VA 23063 Each of the Chickahominy FREE! Call 804-365-3240 Health District’s Four Health to schedule a home vaccinaRegional and Statewide Departments are offering

Local Trail Life Troop hosting Open House Aug. 17 Contributed report Memorial Baptist Church Trail Life Troop VA-2019 (2838 Sandy Hook Rd. in will be holding an Open Goochland). House from 6:30 p.m. to 8 All are invited to come and p.m. on Aug. 17, at Ragland enjoy a hotdog dinner while

learning more about Trail Life. Troop members will be on hand to answer questions and assist those who would like to sign up. .

Send news tips to rryan@goochlandgazette.com.

Please join us on Thursday July 8th as we show “The Princess Bride” on the front lawn of the church. The Movie Starts at 8:30pm.

Obituary ELLA C. WOOD Ella Carpenter Wood, 85, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Ella was preceded in death by her husband, Dowell; sister, Anniebell; and brothers, William and Wellington. She is survived by their three children, Kimberley Amick (Jeff ), Dowell Jr. “Chip” (Lisa) and Sidney (Sonya); and a WOOD sister, Jimmie Lee Hollins. Ella was a kind soul that loved everyone she met. She adored her nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, who visited her often. After raising their children in Richmond, she returned to the workforce at the University of Richmond, retiring in 1998 and enjoyed her retirement living in Goochland County and later Louisa County. Services are being handled by Woody Funeral Home, 1771 North Parham Road, Richmond. The family will receive friends and family on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, July 22, 2021, at 11 a.m., with graveside burial at 1 p.m. at Smyrna Baptist Church, 1420 Rock Castle Rd. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dover Baptist Church, 635 Manakin Rd., Manakin-Sabot, Va. 23103.

For inclement weather updates or date changes, please visit our Facebook page.

Popcorn and Bottled Water will be provided.

OLD TRAIL CHURCH OF CHRIST

Bring a chair and/or a blanket as we watch the movie.

https://www.facebook.com/oldtrailcoc

3015 River Road West Goochland, VA 23063

No Drop Offs. All Children Must Be Accompanied By A Parent Or Guardian Over 18 Years Of Age.

Rescheduled for Friday, July 23rd. If it rains, the movie will be held on Saturday, July 24th.

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

Thursday

July 22, 2021

All in the family

No two ways about it, siblings are a gift By Roslyn Ryan Editor

little over four decades ago, my parents dropped a bombshell that, in retrospect, I probably should have seen coming: After nearly two solid years of luxuriating in the plum role of “Only Child” — and soaking up every last bit of attention in our tiny, twobedroom house — I would soon be getting a sibling. What I initially thought of this news, I do not specifically recall. What I do know, however, is that my relationship with my new sister had a few stumbles early on. Rather than serving as the playmate I had been promised, she mostly just sat around being an infant and doing infant things. She couldn’t talk or walk, failures for which I was particularly unforgiving. Sure, she was an angelically beautiful baby but come on — for the first few weeks, as I recall, she could barely hold up her own head. If I was less than impressed with my new sister early on, it would appear the feeling was mutual: The first time our mother let me give her a bottle, she bit me as hard as she could. Fortunately, our relationship steadily improved as the years went on and

she soon proved a wonderful sidekick and co-conspirator in all manner of escapades. She was preternaturally strong and full of energy, and her imagination was limitless. Neither of us, of course, was a perfect child, and over the years I’ve made it my sisterly duty to safeguard the memories of the terrible things she did growing up, preserving them carefully for posterity. It is for this reason that I am able to sit here today, so many years later, and share the story of the time my 3-year-old sister stood in the backyard with a garden hose, pointed it at our parents’ open bedroom window, and watered their bed for 10 solid minutes. There were other misdeeds too, but I suppose those will remain classified for now, in part because I’m prettyy sure she’s got some dirt on me as well. Also, I would never want anyone to get the impression that my sister is not one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever known. Yes, she may have punched my childhood crush in the nose for a reason that remains shrouded in mystery to this day, but she also has been the most loyal friend and confidant, the fiercest protector, and the best sounding board for crazy ideas a person could ask for. Years ago, when I decided to go to school out west, my sister was the person I asked to make the drive with me. This was before cell phones were a thing regular

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

Publisher Managing Editor Editor Production Manager Sports Editor Sales Representative Classifieds

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people had, so we made the trip with little more than a travel atlas and a box of tapes to listen to when we weren’t able to get a radio signal. We spent the week staying in ridiculously cheap motels, feasting on truck-stop hamburgers and watching in wonder as the landscape morphed slowly over the course of a thousand miles from suburban sprawl to wide-open plains as far as the eye could see. Heartbreakingly, the film from that trip ended up being lost by the store where I brought it to be developed, and no one could ever manage to find it. Though I would give almost anything to have those photos today, perhaps it is fitting that my sister is the only other person who carries with her the memo-

ries of our journey and the fun we had, just as she is the only one who remembers all of the childhood adventures and inside jokes we shared as kids. Perhaps, in the end, that is the greatest joy of having a sibling: they are the ones who know exactly who you are and where you came from and all the dumb stuff you have ever done, and they love you anyway. As the family gathers this week to celebrate my sister Mary Margaret’s 40th birthday, I will be counting myself lucky to have been able to watch her grow from that brand new baby to the incredible woman she is today. She may not have been perfectly well-behaved every single minute, but she’s been perfect for our family since day one.

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE ISSUE-DRIVEN 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.

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Event tied to famous ponies will have to wait once again By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

For the second year in a row, the ponies won’t swim the channel to Chincoteague Island for Pony Penning Day, a twotime victim of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials decided it’s not the appropriate time for thousands of tourists to gather on the streets of the tiny hamlet and cheer as young ponies make their way to auction. It’s a real disappointment for the many devoted followers of the annual auction run by the local volunteer fire department, but probably the best decision considering current trends. For foals and other young ponies, it means another year of freedom to roam the deserted beaches of Assateague Island, the home of two herds of horses that some believe descended from survivors of a shipwrecked Spanish galleon in the mid1700s. The National Park Service manages one of the herds, while the Volunteer Fire Department in Chincoteague monitors the population for the other. Each year, volunteers round up ponies suitable for sale to ensure the herd does not overpopulate and threaten long-term survival. Since 1924, the sale of the horses provided funding for the local fire department, and the event became known as Pony Penning Day. My first association with the event began in elementary school with a book entitled

see Ponies > 12

Thursday

July 22, 2021

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Goochland Majors All-Stars: state runners-up Staff Reports

In the Virginia Dixie Baseball Majors state tournament held at Goochland’s picturesque Hidden Rock Park, Goochland battled hard across four games to earn runner-up honors to Charlotte County. The Majors state tournament featured three teams total including Prince George. After Charlotte County narrowly edged past Goochland 2-0 in the opening game, Goochland and Charlotte County both defeated Prince George to advance to the championship series, which began on Monday. Goochland forced a winner-takes-all game on Tuesday and tied the final game early at 2-2, but Photos by Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette Charlotte County pulled away with 2 runs in the From left, clockwise: Goochland’s Majors All-Stars receive the Virginia Dixie Baseball state tournament runner-up trophy at Hidden Rock Park last Tuesday; third inning and won the Cole Cooper (4) initiates a 6-3 play; Chase Hicks launches a double; Nafeese Summers pitches; Fitz McClure (62) and coach Daniel Hicks react after a play. state championship 4-2. Chase Hicks batted 2 for 2 with a double, Fitz McClure hit the early game-tying single, and third baseman McClure and Logan Everett, on a rifling throw from center field, combined for an 8-5 play to get Goochland out of the third inning. Nafeese Summers also made a huge catch near the wall in center field in the fifth inning. Goochland’s 2021 Majors All-Stars players are Cole Cooper, Charlie Harrington, Chase Hicks, Nafeese Summers, Chase Adams, Kinyon Ross, Logan Everett, Dylan Hughes, Logan Hughes, Fitz McClure, Aiden Haskell and Jude Gilman. Coaches are Daniel Hicks, Lee Everett and Chris Hughes.

Thursday

July 22, 2021

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Goochland’s Popielarz talks competitive weightlifting journey By Nick Vandeloecht Sports Editor

Conner Popielarz was already going to the gym through his weight training for football, but the Goochland High School alum and rising freshman at Lenoir-Rhyne believes that his interest in competitive weightlifting first started with videos that he discovered online. “I just started to try to learn the lifts on my own,” Conner said, “and when I found out it was a sport, that was something I wanted to pursue, because I like strength sports as a whole… and that was something that really appealed to me.” He had already gotten pretty strong overall from his strength training related to football, and competitive weightlifting was something that seemed fun. “I was willing to put in my full effort to train for it. He’s only been training for a year-and-a-half, but already, Conner is finding success in his young weightlifting career. “It’s been paying off,” he said, “and I really feel like I have a lot of potential.” In his first competition less than a year ago – the 2020 East Coast Gold Olympic weightlifting competition in Virginia Beach – Conner placed first in his age/weight class and third overall in the open class, in which he competed against adults of all ages and weight. That’s also where he broke his age/weight class’ state records in the snatch and in the clean and jerk, as well as the total combination lift record in one event. Conner from there participated in two local meets. He took on the Old Dominion Classic and won across all of his age/weight classes in the RVA Open. Following those two

for six bronze medals on the national stage. He placed third in the snatch, in the clean and jerk, and in the overall total category in both the Junior (under 20 years old) and Open (under 25 years old) age groups. He also achieved those marks after having gotten hurt a week before the national meet. He had gone into the competition not really knowing what to expect, but he spoke to really nursing the injury during that preceding week. He went in hoping to get at least one medal, but he far exceeded his expectations with his performance at nationals. “That was really exciting,” he said, “but I kind of like to win, so…I’m also not satisfied with getting six bronze medals.” He will look to do even better in the next year. He’s also qualified for December’s North American Open Finals, which is a senior meet (15 years and older) and, as Conner put it, the second biggest meet in the United States behind senior nationals. With weightlifting, Conner feels like “you’ve just got to be a certain crazy type of athlete to want to do it, because you’re pretty much doing the same thing day in and day out, so you really have to be committed, because you only compete in two lifts, so you can’t really stray too far from it.” But he finds it appealing that “you just practice over and over the same thing, and when you find the results, it’s really rewarding.” The two lifts in which he Photo by Clay Farnsley/RVA Performance Training competes – the snatch, and the Goochland High School Class of 2021 alumnus and Lenoir-Rhyne University rising freshman Conner Popielarz, seen lifting clean and jerk – both begin at the RVA Open, earned six bronze medals at the USA National Weightlifting Championship earlier this summer. with a similar motion of lift“It was a fun experience trav- ent vibe,” Conner said, “and it’s Competing in the 89-kilo- ing the weighted bar from the meets, he traveled to Detroit for his first national competition, eling – I wasn’t there that long, always fun to get on that com- gram (approximately 196- ground. But with the snatch, the USA National Weightlifting but it’s just fun to see a bunch petition platform because I just pound) weight class, the 5-8, the competitor – from the Championship, earlier this of other nationally ranked lift- feel a total adrenaline rush, and 193-pound standout lifted himsee Popielarz> 9 ers, and it’s definitely a differ- it makes me lift better.” self onto the podium six times summer.

Thursday

July 22, 2021

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Manta Rays win swim meet at Tuckahoe Village West Staff Reports

Goochland’s Manta Rays won last Wednesday’s combined meet over Tuckahoe Village West (884.5-757.5) ahead of this coming Monday and Tuesday’s Greater Richmond Aquatic League CHAMPS meet at Swim RVA. “The coaches enjoyed observing the improvement in our swimmers” from June 10, 2021 to July 14, 2021, said Goochland Manta Rays coach Helen Brown. “It feels like we just got started, but then watching the races on (July 14) we were blessed to see results of hard work.” Brown also praised not only Tuckahoe Village West, but also their previous opponent at Old Church. “I cannot say enough positive comments about the last two teams we faced,” Brown said. Goochland had previously

Popielarz continued from > 8 spectator’s eye – lifts the bar from floor to overhead in one motion, whereas, with the clean and jerk, the competitor lifts the bar from the floor to the shoulders to overhead in two different motions. At the national meet, Conner lifted 125 kilograms – or 275 pounds – for his best competitive lift yet in the snatch. In training, he’s lifted a best of 132 kilograms, or 291 pounds. Also at nationals, Conner lifted 160 kilograms – or 352 pounds – in the clean and jerk. It’s his best lift in the category, both in training and in competition. As for how Conner prepares for upcoming meets and for achieving those top lifts, he said that “the further out from competition you are, you’re

not competed in a meter pool for a while, so there were many Goochland meter pool records broken at last Wednesday’s meet. Callie Horst broke three records in the girls 13-14 age group with swims of 1:09.31 in the 100-meter backstroke, 1:10.81 in the 100 butterfly and 1:10.38 in the individual medley (IM). Anneliese Rogerson broke three records in the girls 15-18 age group with swims of 41.19 in the 50-meter breaststroke, 1:14.18 in the 100 fly and 1:16.31 in the IM. Ryan Johnson broke two records in the boys 11-12 age group with swims of 31.44 in the 50 freestyle and 1:20.38 in the 100 IM. Andrea Rogerson set the new girls 11-12 record in the 100 IM (1:21.00), and Annika Rogerson set the new girls 13-14 record in the 50 free (30.50). Grace Kemmerly set just trying to accumulate as much volume as your body can handle,” so for him, it’s a matter of getting in a lot of work and repetitions. “You’re basically just breaking your body down so you can recover later.” And then, when he gets closer to competition, Conner spoke to a focus of shifting from the high volume of work and reps he had been doing, to practicing those heavy single lifts to mimic competition. He noted that he was about three weeks away from the next meet when he was lifting at 132 and 160 kilograms. “And it’s mental, too, just getting under a really heavy weight,” Conner said. Conner will lift 2 to 2 ½ hours a day for five to six days a week. He spoke to basing everything he does around training and recovery, the

the new girls 15-18 record in the 50 free (31.84). The meet featured seven quadruple event winners representing Goochland: Cora

Chapman (girls 7-8/8 and under), Wesley Cheatham (boys 7-8/8 and under), Alex Horst (boys 11-12), Ryan Johnson (boys 11-12), Grace

Kemmerly (girls 15-18), Andrea Rogerson (girls 11-12) and Anneliese Rogerson (girls 15-18). Triple event winners for Goochland were Lilly Beatty (girls 11-12), Jude Chapman (boys 11-12), Audrey Darden (girls 9-10), Caroline Darden (girls 8 and under), Callie Horst (girls 13-14), Hayden Russell (girls 13-14) and Simon Smith (boys 13-14). Goochland’s double event winners were Bailey Brown (girls 7-8/ 8 and under), Nathaniel Carter (boys 9-10), Lucas Edwards (boys 15-18), Kaci Johnson (girls 13-14), Charlie Lawson (boys 7-8/8 and under), Kara Lentz (girls 6 and under), Eden Rollogas (girls 13-14), Benjamin Stevens (boys 13-14), Leyton Sutherland (boys 15-18) and Mady Winall (girls 9-10). Single event winners for Goochland were Madison Bostic (girls 7-8), Afton

latter of which encompasses elements like rest and diet. Everything he eats, he thinks of more-so as recovery and not so much as food, and he takes hot baths almost every day, which he feels really helps with recovery. “Pretty much everything I do, I think: ‘Can this make me better?’” Conner said. “That’s what I do to try to catch up to my competition that’s ahead of me.” In high school, Conner competed in basketball up to his 10th-grade year, and he also became a leading contributor on Goochland’s varsity football team. As a senior, Conner rushed for 351 yards and 5 touchdowns on 53 carries and caught seven passes for 69 yards and 2 more touchdowns during the Bulldogs’ unbeaten 2021 regular season. He helped Goochland football reach the

Class 3, Region B championship game this year. Conner spoke to developing into a well-rounded athlete before he got into weightlifting. “I definitely feel like this is the right time for me to specialize,” he said, “but definitely developing my athleticism in other sports benefited me.” Conner will not only attend Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina, but he is also embracing the unique opportunity to compete on the university’s weightlifting team. “It’s a pretty cool opportunity because there’s not that many schools that offer it,” Conner said. “I was able to get a partial scholarship, which is amazing…I’m just blessed to have that opportunity to go.” Conner also cited atmosphere – which he noted is a

big part of weightlifting – as a major reason for his decision. He praised the number of highly talented weightlifters on the team, and he is getting the chance to work with Lenoir-Rhyne’s head coach and World Champion powerlifter Travis Mash. Conner pointed to Coach Mash’s focus on the culture and on having a positive atmosphere, as well as to his goal of having people compete at a high level. “He wants to get people on Team USA and medal at international competitions,” Conner said. “That’s his goal for me, and that’s my goal as well.” Conner also had the chance to work with Coach Mash in the warm-up room at the national competition in Detroit. While his ultimate goal is to make it onto Team USA

Photos by Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

Hayden Russell, seen swimming in a July 7 meet at Old Church, earned three wins for the Goochland Manta Rays in the team’s July 14 swim meet at Tuckahoe Village West.

Carter (girls 11-12), Isaac Chapman (boys 6 and under), Kendra Cheatham (girls 9-10), Joe Hardman (boys 15-18), Kane Houchins (boys 7-8), Lucas Le (boys 11-12), Malachi Montgomery (boys 13-14), Adam Seltzer (boys 13-14) and William Ways (boys 11-12). Goochland won four mixed 100-meter medley relays in the following age groups: 8 and under (Caroline Darden, Wesley Cheatham, Cora Chapman and Charlie Lawson), 9-10 (Alex Horst, Jude Chapman, Andrea Rogerson and Ryan Johnson), 13-14 (Benjamin Stevens, Eden Rollogas, Hayden Russell and Kaci Johnson) and 15-18 (Grace Kemmerly, Lucas Edwards, Anneliese Rogerson and Leyton Sutherland). The GRAL Champs meets will be held Monday, July 26 (12 and under) and Tuesday, July 27 (13 and up) at Swim RVA. and compete in the Pan Ams and/or Worlds, Conner likes to make goals that he feels he’s capable of achieving 1 to 2 years from now. His current 1-to-2-year goal is to make a Junior Pan Am/World team and win Junior Nationals. “I find that’s the best way to do it, is just have a more shortterm goal, and I feel like that could definitely lead to bigger goals in the future,” Conner said. “That’s how (you) can make training more sustainable as well.” He gave credit to his coaches at Total Training Inc., which is the sports performance gym that Conner started going to as an eighth grader for football and basketball. “It’s also where I started weightlifting,” he said. “My coaches Keith Wright and Bob Blanton are definitely influential.”

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July 22, 2021

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