The Goochland Gazette – 08/25/2021 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Goochland shelter pets still waiting to find forever homes > page 2

Volume 66 Number 33 • August 26, 2021

Board approves MOU for opioid abatement fund By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Bulldogs are back G

oochland County School Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Raley was front and center at the Goochland High School and Middle School complex on Monday as students arrived for their first day of school. And if Raley appeared to be smiling a little brighter than usual, he explained that there was a good reason for that: Monday marked the return of full-time in-person learning for all GCPS students. Said Raley, beaming as he helped one young student gather up an armful of brand new school supplies, “We’ve been waiting two years for this — it feels great.” For more back-to school photos, see page 5.

Photos by Roslyn Ryan

Top photo: Goochland High School students Bridget Dinora Katarina Nickolaou and Jack Clarke file past a vibrant mural on the way to their first class. Above, Goochland school superintendent Dr. Jeremy Raley greets Skylar Cleaton during drop-off.

In an effort to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic plaguing Virginia communities, Goochland County leaders have approved a resolution authorizing the execution of the Virginia Opioid Abatement Fund and Settlement Allocation Memorandum of Understanding. Board members discussed the measure briefly during the Aug. 3 board meeting before adopting it as part of the consent agenda. According to Goochland County Attorney Tara McGee, the document allows for the majority of any funds recovered from pending lawsuits against the manufacturers and distributors of opioid medication to be made available for opioid abatement programs provided by localities, the state, or regional partners. McGee told board members that she had reviewed the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding and found they were legally appropriate. According to the resolution, the county and numerous other Virginia localities “share a common desire to abate and alleviate the impacts of the opioid addiction epidemic and to maximize litigation recoveries from those third parties responsible for same.” According to a recent report in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginia should receive at least $80 million as part of a pending agreement between 15 states and Purdue Pharma, the prescription drug maker that made the addictive painkiller OxyContin. The more than $4.3 billion agreement would resolve thousands of opioid cases, see MOU > 2

Thursday

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

August 26, 2021

Recent Property Transfers 16.38 acres; Rock River Inc. to James Nathan Glenn, $415,092. 2 tracts totalling 91.56 acres; Hunters Retreat LLC to Jose Gilberto Trevino Jr., $420,000. 2.2 acres; Michael M. Leonard to Kevin Douglas Leonard, $167,000. 2.52 acres; Sharon Gilley, trustee to Sharon Gilley, $150,000. 30.84 acres; Margaret E. Gary to Raffi O. Shadoyan, $160,000. 44.45 acres; Henry M. Tassitano, trustee to Jose Gilberto Trevino Jr., $575,000. Lot 4, Section 2,

Covington; David C. Lubin to Michael Joseph Westhoven, $313,200. Lots 18A and 18B, Section B, Rockville Commerce Center; McConnell Properties LLC to Coasting LLC, $3,050,000. Lots 33 and 38, Section 4, Parkside Village; ME PV4 LLC to Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC, $250,000. Lots 42, 44 and 45, Section 3, Readers Branch; Readers Branch Partners LLC to Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC, $375,000. Parcel, Saunders Acres; Kristi L. Hutson to Diana L. Mack, $319,000.

Lacy to address Rotary Club On Friday, Sept. 10, Goochland business owner Joe Lacy will join the Rotary Club of Goochland as the club’s guest. Lacy will discuss the history of a family business during the growth of Goochland County. The meeting starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Richmond Country Club.

Elrod & Dunham

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Please welcome our new hygienist, Kelsey, to our growing practice. Call to schedule your cleaning with Kelsey or Sara.

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Pets of the week

SPORTS

Photos submitted by Julie Lawrence

The Goochland Animal Shelter, located at 1900 Hidden Rock Lane in Goochland, has the following pets available to a good home: A neutered grey and white male tabby, about 10-12 weeks old; a lovable neutered male hound, about 8 years old; and a male brown bunny. The shelter’s new hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to the shelter is asked to make donations payable to Goochland Animal Protection. The facility has many lost dog and cat fliers posted. For more information on these pets, as well as the many more still in need of homes at the Goochland Animal Shelter, call (804) 556-5302. You also can visit the shelter on Facebook at “Goochland County Animal Control.”

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

Previewing GHS’s volleyball season PAGE 8 Calendar ................................ 4 Classifieds ......................13-14

GCPS earns perfect rating for efforts on behalf of students with disabilities “These findings are a direct result of our department’s focus on improved instructional practices for students with disabilities,” Jennifer Waggener, Executive Director of Exceptional Education, said. “I am blessed to work with such an incredibly talented team of special educators who are committed to improving student learning outcomes by holding high academic expectations, building strong relationships, and improving self-confidence and self-advocacy for students with disabilities.” GCPS met all criteria in 13

indicators, including graduation, participation and performance in state assessments, and early childhood and secondary transitions. Additionally, GCPS met requirements relating to the rates of suspension and identification of students in specific disability categories based on race/ ethnicity. GCPS’s perfect score on the Annual Performance Report’s Results-Driven Accountability (RDA) matrix is a measure of the division’s balanced focus on improving educational results and outcomes for students with disabilities.

“No dollar amount will ever bring back the Virginians continued from >1 we have lost to the opioid criincluding a lawsuit Virginia sis or repair the families that Attorney General Mark have to live with the devastatHerring filed in 2018 in ing effects of losing a loved one, but this settlement is an Tazewell County.

important step in our ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis,” Herring said in a statement in July. —The Richmond TimesDispatch’s Patrick Wilson contributed to this report

Contributed report For the third year in a row, Goochland County Public Schools earned a perfect score on Virginia’s Annual Performance Report relating to services provided to students with disabilities. As one of only 19 school divisions throughout the Commonwealth to reach this achievement, GCPS’s perfect score recognizes the exemplary effort division teachers and staff make every day to meet the needs of students with disabilities and to remain in compliance with both state and federal laws.

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

Since 1955

MOU

Letters .................................... 6 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports .................................8-9 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 Denine D’Angelo Production Manager (804) 775-4624 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

Thursday

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NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

August 26, 2021

Since 1955

In The Garden

For goldenrod, a whole new glow Once humble wild “weed” now credited with a plethora of benefits

WE ARE NOW OPEN

By Pat Lust Contributing Writer

Don’t you just love all the brilliant yellow flowers in the fields and along the roadside in the fall in Virginia? Much of that glorious golden fall splendor comes from the humble goldenrods. Until recently, goldenrods (Solidago spp.) in the U.S. have pretty much been regarded as weeds. New hybrid varieties may have helped goldenrods gain in popularity, but the primary reason for their recent recognition in the horticultural community is their value for the environment and a growing interest in native plants. Goldenrods, once considered weeds, have now become respectable and highly desirable wildflowers. Goldenrods make significant contributions to our ecosystem. The nectar and pollen of the flowers serve a wide variety of insects, including native bees, other small bees, wasps, flies, small butterflies, skippers, and beetles. Perhaps most important, they provide nectar for migrating butterflies and bees, which encourages them to stay a little longer in our area and pollinate other plants in our gardens. Also important is the role goldenrods play in “conservation biological control” – that is, they attract predatory or parasitoid insects that prey upon pest insects. Goldenrods participate in the natural system in ways beyond the pollen and nectar that their flowers provide. They are known to support more caterpillars than any other wildflower, offering both food and shelter for the larvae

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Goldenrods are clump-forming perennials that will survive just about anywhere and require very little care. They prefer full sun, are drought tolerant and don’t mind the Virginia clay soil.

of beneficial insects. Some of the larvae feed destructively on the leaves, but the plants manage to survive. Birds love goldenrods not only for their seeds but also for the marvelous buffet of larvae (caterpillars) that become available just as they seek to feed their young. Some of the larvae feeding on the goldenrod survive into adult insects and some become part of the food chain. If you’re not loving goldenrods yet, here’s the charm. Goldenrods often get blamed for fall hay fever, but they are NOT to blame. The real culprit is ragweed, another native plant that blooms at the same time, but is often not even noticed. Goldenrods have perfect flowers which means that

each flower has both male and female parts all in the same flower. Their pollen is carried around a single flower or from one flower to a nearby flower by insects. It is heavy, so any pollen that is not distributed by insects falls right to the ground. Ragweeds, on the other hand, have only male OR female flowers on any one plant. Its pollen must travel greater distances to make the connection, so it is very light and is distributed by the wind, not by insects. When it gets wind born, some of it “accidentally” reaches our noses. So, when you sneeze, blame the ragweed, not the goldenrod. Goldenrods are clumpforming perennials that will survive just about anywhere

and require very little care. Because they are native here in central Virginia, they are happy here and perform beautifully. They prefer full sun, are drought tolerant and don’t mind the Virginia clay soil. And, as a bonus, they are deer resistant. The most common goldenrod species in our part of the state are Blue-stemmed Goldenrod ( Solidago caesia), Gray or Old field Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis), Sweet Goldenrod (Solidago odora), and Rough-stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa). If you visit the Powhatan Public Library in September, you will see an example of a cultivar of S. rugosa called “Fireworks” next to the library at the entrance to the Native see Goldenrod > 4

Backto

School If your child is entering 7th grade they must have the Meningitis, HPV, and Tdap vaccines in order to enroll. Talk to your doctor and vaccinate them now!

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

Thursday

August 26, 2021

Anniversary CoderDojo: Those in Grades 3 – 12 will learn how to develop logic-based coding skills and use creative problem-solving with Scratch. Registration required- sign up online or see a staff member to register. Go to https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/event/7687562 to sign up. This program is hosted from 2- 4 p.m. on Discord. For more information or if you have a special physical or communication need, please contact ask@pamunkeylibrary.org.

On Demand Videos

Walter and Gloria Turner of Goochland celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 19 2021. God has blessed them with one son, Jeffrey, two granddaughters Jennifer and Jasmine, grandson-in-law Bernard and Goddaughter Rhavin.

Virtual Senior Law Day Clinic Simple wills, durable power of attorneys & advance medical directives prepared FREE for older adults & individuals with disabilities. Documents prepared by volunteer attorneys. Eligibility is required.

Simple Will

To Learn More &

Determine if You Are Eligible Pat Giesen, Senior Connections Phone: (804) 343-3059 Email: pgiesen@youraaa.org

Storytime for Grownups Premieres Wednesday, August 11. Ages 18 & up. Storytime is not just for kids! If you like to be read to, join us for a monthly short story for adults. Starting August 11, go to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/pamunkeylibrary), our Adults page (https:// tinyurl.com/prladults), or Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ PamunkeyLibrary) to see the video. For more information, contact ask@pamunkeylibrary.org. DIY Pet Toys Premieres Tuesday, August 17. Make some fun for your fur babies! Join us during the dog days of summer as we create pet toys from repurposed materials. This video premieres on August 17 on our website (https://tinyurl.com/prladults), YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/pamunkeylibrary), and Facebook page (https://www.facebook. com/PamunkeyLibrary/). For more information, contact ask@pamunkeylibrary. org or call the West Point Branch Library at 804-843-3244.

Goldenrod continued from >3 Greater Richmond Bar Foundation

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Library Calendar Saturday, August 28

Turners celebrate 60 years of marriage

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NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Plants Trail. You can learn more about identifying different species of goldenrods by visiting the Virginia Native Plant Society website at vnps. org and searching for ‘goldenrod’.

Kitchen Close Ups: Strawberry Tacos Premieres Wednesday, August 18. Grades K-5. Want a different way to enjoy juicy strawberries? Follow along to make this cool, refreshing strawberry snack. Starting August 18 go to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/ pamunkeylibrary), our Children’s page (https://tinyurl.com/prlchildrens), or Facebook page (https://www.facebook. com/PamunkeyLibrary) to see the video. For more information, contact ask@ pamunkeylibrary.org.

see library staff acting silly! Starting August 23, go to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/pamunkeylibrary), our Children’s page (https:// tinyurl.com/prlchildrens), or Facebook page to see the video. For more information, contact ask@pamunkeylibrary.org or call (804) 798-4072.

Take & Makes Snail Magnets Pickup starts Monday, August 9 at the Mechanicsville Branch Library Grades K-8.Stop by the Mechanicsville Branch Library to pick up a kit of supplies to make your very own snail magnets at home. Perfect for your school locker! Pick up a kit while supplies last. For more information, contact ask@pamunkeylibrary.org or call (804) 746-9615.

Poetry Break Premieres Wednesday, August 18. Ages 18 & up. Take a break and join us for monthly poems to uplift and inspire you! August’s theme is “Travel.” Starting August 18, go to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/pamunkeylibrary), our Adults page (https:// tinyurl.com/prladults), or Facebook Craft Stick Designs page (https://www.facebook.com/ Pickup starts Monday, August 23 at the PamunkeyLibrary) to see the video. For Mechanicsville Branch Library. Grades more information, contact ask@pamunPre K-3. Stop by the Mechanicsville keylibrary.org. Branch Library to pick up a kit of supplies and educational materials to make colorGlobal Feast: Tales and Tails Premieres Thursday, August 19. Grades ful craft stick designs at home. For more 6-12. Our Global Feast series continues information about this program, conwith Japanese & Chinese folktales about tact ask@pamunkeylibrary.org or call the turtles. Learn how to make steamed buns Mechanicsville Branch Library at (804) turtle shaped & colored w/matcha green 746-9615. tea & filled w/red beans. Starting August 19, go to our YouTube channel (https://www. In-Person youtube.com/user/pamunkeylibrary), our Wednesday, August 25 Teens page (https://tinyurl.com/prlteens), Outdoor Family Storytime will be or Facebook page (https://www.facebook. held from 10 - 10:30 a.m. Register at com/PamunkeyLibrary) to see the video. https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/ event/7935405 to attend an all-ages Animal Tales with The Story Lady Storytime outdoors at the Montpelier Premieres Monday, August 23. Grades Branch Library. Bring a blanket to enjoy Pre K-5. Join The Story Lady, Ali Pfautz, some fun songs, rhymes and books! For as she entertains with animal tales, songs, more information, contact ask@pamunand imaginative play. You might even keylibrary.org or call (804) 883-7116.

In nature goldenrods, like all native plants, take care of perpetuating themselves. If you want to get some started in your back yard, you may be disappointed starting with seeds. Sometimes goldenrod seed germination is not very reliable. You might have better success propagating them by

root divisions or cuttings or purchasing one at your local garden center. When you get a favorite variety going in your garden, you will need to divide it occasionally. Fall is a great time for dividing your plants, and then you can share the glorious fall splendor of goldenrods with friends.

Pat Lust is a certified Master Gardener through the Virginia Cooperative Extension and a member of the Goochland Powhatan Master Gardener Association. If you are interested in learning more about GPMGA programs or how to become a master gardener volunteer please visit gpmga.org.

Thursday

August 26, 2021

Serving Goochland County

BACK TO SCHOOL 2021

Since 1955

Goochland students head back to school

Siblings Amanda and Brian Grimes showed off the special signs they made to mark the first day of school.

Griffin Glave hopped in his truck Monday morning and headed out for his junior year at GHS.

Gavin Ross, a fifth-grader at Goochland Elementary School, and Kinyon Ross, an eighth-grader at Goochland Middle School, get ready to head off to their first day.

Kalee Pendleton, fifth-grader at Byrd Elementary, was excited to kick off the school year.

Time to move to the 55 and Over Community?

Bentley Null was happy to start his third grade year Byrd Elementary School. Hadley and Carter Bowles were ready to kick off another great school year at Goochland Elementary School.

Don’t see your student? Check back next week for more back-to-school photos

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Thursday

August 26, 2021

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

Schools’ success due to efforts of many By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Is it strange to thank people for things they have not technically done yet? Perhaps. But this week, as thousands of Goochland students headed back to school, I thought it might be a good time to offer a quick note of appreciation to all of the teachers, administrators, school nurses, classroom assistants, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, janitors and every other member of the educational support team at GCPS who will be going above and beyond during this upcoming school term to help students have a successful year. It goes without saying that the teachers who take on the task

of helping students achieve each new academic milestone deserve our thanks, particularly given the incredible challenges they have faced since the start of the pandemic. Of course, as the teachers themselves would tell you, they don’t do it alone. Thank you also to the administrators who will be tasked with finding solutions to myriad challenges, bolstering morale, and supporting the people the people they lead. Thank you to the classroom assistants who will notice the one student out of a few dozen others who needs a word of encouragement or an extra measure of patience on a given day.

Thank you to the bus drivers who will get up extra early on a frigid winter morning to make sure the bus is ready to go, then greet every single student they pick up with a warm smile. Thank you to the school nurses who will treat students with the same tenderness and compassion they would reserve for their own kids, all while juggling a wide range of duties related to student care. Thank you to the coaches who will put in the hours on and off the field to ensure their teams have winning seasons, even when “winning” means that the players learned to pick themselves up and keep going when they lost. Thank you to the janitors and other support personnel who will

model the values of hard work and dependability for students, and serve as an extra set of eyes to notice when a student may be in need of help. There are surely plenty of others I am leaving out, those who perform roles that rarely get much press but that no school could function without. As we begin this new school year, here’s hoping that they and every other local hero involved in our educational system knows just how valuable they are and what an impact their actions have on our students. In big ways and small, they are making the world a better, safer, more enriching place for our kids, and for that they deserve our sincere gratitude.

In fight against COVID-19, second wind may be required By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, a shark in the form of a persistent variant of the COVID-19 virus, is chasing Americans back on the beach so to speak. It’s almost too much to fathom for a nation who has anxiously awaited a return to some form of normalcy following 12 or more months of isolation, vaccina-

tion and anticipation. Entering a local convenience store last week a sign warned that everyone entering must wear a mask with no regard to vaccination status. It replaced the previous one that provided customers the option of masking up or not. A manager at the store told me the mandate is much more difficult to enforce than it was when it was first instituted at the height of the pandemic.

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

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“They’re used to not wearing them so they don’t,” he told me. He also said he is concerned about exposure to his employees, and how replacing any of them becomes more difficult by the day. For sure, the latest round of the virus demands our attention, no matter the degree of our exhaustion or pandemic fatigue. Far too many have learned too late the horrific impacts of COVID for us to ignore or dismiss this latest out-

break. In addition to a destructive and persistent stream of the virus with a transmissibility rate far faster than the original variety, the latest wave of infections have also faced a public response that is divided regarding official advice from health officials. Pointing to endless reversals and contrary assumptions, they simsee Second wind > 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 Attitude of parents plays critical role in shaping kids’ views Dear Editor: I’ve always heard that children learn their outlook on life and their attitude about difficulties from their parents. A “can-doattitude” of expectation by parents and other adults will let a child know what is expected of him or her. A parent’s attitude about mask wearing in school or other public places also transfers to a child. I don’t know anyone who really likes wearing a mask for health reasons. But it’s something we do out of civic duty to protect everyone. That’s the attitude and the message we should be teaching our children. There is a time and a way to raise questions and concerns. I’m not sure that shouting unkind words and false accusations in public forums is the attitude or behavior to pass on. I worry about the lessons our children are learning from us adults right now. Eileen Ford Columbia

Local school division’s progress now appears to be under attack Dear Editor, Goochland County Schools have made tremendous improvements in the last few years. They have become one of the best school systems in the Commonwealth. Thanks to a dedicated administration and very good teachers we have been very pleased with the educational experiences our child has had. I have lived in Goochland for some twenty-five years. I have seen good governance here and poor, and then better and then bad again. All that is good is unfortusee Letters > page 7

Thursday

August 26, 2021

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Rise and shine Goochland High School’s Class of 2022 gathered before the start of classes on Monday for a very special annual tradition: the Senior Sunrise photo. This year’s photo was particularly special, since Monday marked the start of the first time in over a year that classes will be held in person five days a week. Photo by Dr. Chris Collier

Second wind continued from >6 ply don’t trust government to distribute accurate or useful health information. Others have taken a rather Cavalier approach with an ‘if I don’t know anyone who has died from the virus, then it can’t be that bad’ attitude. Another medical expert dismissed this latest wave completely and said COVID is something we are learning to live with, like the flu. Sadly, thousands of Americans won’t get that opportunity. I make no judgement on any or all of these opinions except to remind you the ones referenced do not represent the views of the author. The masks have returned at this house, and we’ll be following CDC guidelines as experts monitor the latest figures. Hopefully, as vaccinations increase those rates of infection will decline. But, it may be useful to enter this next round with a more realistic impression of the real threat the virus repre-

sents and the time and effort it might require to settle at acceptable levels. A successful end to the masks and quarantines we’ve grown so weary of will require a concerted effort, and a population that is united toward a single goal — the elimination of this virus. Although there’s always room for open discussion and debate regarding strategies and medical opinions, a vigilant and informed public might be the best defense against this foe. The good news is the latest Delta Variant has convinced thousands that a vaccination is the best defense against unimaginable tragedy. It’s one sure way to combat COVID and has been effective in lessening serious affects of the variant. When the war against COVID ends — and it will — we can all celebrate the victory, united, as Americans who faced round two and emerged victorious. For many of us that would represent a true return to normal.

Letters continued from >6 nately destined to be attacked, ridiculed and eroded by forces of hate and intolerance. Progressive achievement is replaced by regressive ignorance and lies. Locally these forces primarily are seeds planted by the Goochland Tea Party. The lies and exaggerations are right out of Fox News and countless unfounded conspiracies theories. Truth is not essential, particularly if it disagrees with the agenda of the moment. The attacks on our school system’s great progress are very real and now come from the School Board itself. Karen Horn, the board chair and representative from the District 3 passed a resolution to dismiss all educational directives from the Commonwealth. Gone will be the partnership between state and county education programs regarding issues impacting students, staff and families. We become pawns of the hysterical and irrational.

I understand that this action was adopted during several meetings dominated by loud and irrational community members including Angela Allen who is running for the school board in the second district. Allen’s sees the pandemic as “propaganda” and mask wearing as unnecessary. She has not been an educator and calls herself a “cultural warrior.” She definitely is not an advocate of good educational principles but is rather a supporter of intolerance, racism, inequality and white supremacy. She is definitely not a good choice for our school board. Goochland citizens should be aware of the not so hidden motives of these people. I understand there was even conversation about suing the Commonwealth. I for one do not want to see our tax money wasted on such foolish exercises. I don’t support having another civil war although some relish the idea. Best regards, George R Peterson Goochland

Recent conflicts serve to underscore politicians’ role in military debacles Dear Editor, First, I invaded Iraq with the U.S. First Infantry Division (Big Red One) during Desert Storm when there were not many restraints on whom or what we destroyed. Our attack was quick and devastating and George Bush had to call us off to appease our Mid-East allies as we approached the outskirts of Baghdad. We proved several fundamentals of war, one of which is to destroy an enemy’s will to fight. As a result we captured hundreds of thousands of Iraqi prisoners of war and my combat engineers built POW camps all over Iraq. We had no problems with local populations because they saw the total defeat and were largely dependent on Americans for survival. When we left Iraq there wasn’t much left in the area of operations except battle

Now, here is the real reason the U.S. is turning trail and fleeing Afghanistan in a humiliating retreat, instead of redeploying with honor as we did after Desert Storm. America now has a history of fighting wars with one hand tied behind our back. Fortunately that was not the case during Desert Storm. During WW II our “greatest generation” bombed the heck out of Germany causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children. Every town in Germany of any size had been rubbled. We did about the same in Japan as we fire bombed Tokyo and exploded two nuclear bombs there. As a result, both nations lost the will to fight and capitulated to American redevelopment. So now Germany and Japan are very modern, industrialized, and safe countries. I toured Germany recently and was more favorably impressed by the safety, cleanliness, and wealth I observed there than in many American citsee Mail > 12

Thursday

August 26, 2021

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

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Previewing Goochland volleyball for fall 2021 By Nick Vandeloecht Sports Editor

GOOCHLAND -- To say that Goochland volleyball has depth, versatility and experience in spades going into the new season might still be an understatement. The Bulldogs are loaded with talent as they: bring back nine contributors to their 9-2 season this past spring; welcome two newcomers into the fold; are led by players who can excel at multiple positions on the court; and look to pick up where they left off four months ago. While it won’t be a normal season as previously anticipated – coaches and spectators wore masks indoors for Thursday’s home scrimmage against Glen Allen, and safety measures are in place as COVID cases are rising again – the volleyball season, at least for now, is once again at a regular length. It’s back to being played in the fall, and volleyball teams are once again able to switch places on the court after the end of each set. “I’m excited about it – even just switching sides was just kind of a breath of fresh air,” said Goochland head volleyball coach Rachel Jacobsen. “It’s really nice – I’m excited to have all those opportunities, even with the shortened season we had last time (in the spring) and things getting cancelled. If that happens again this season, we’ve got more opportunities to play than we did in the past. “Regardless, I’m just excited to be out here.” Goochland this season features a wealth of talent across the board. It’s deep at the serving position, as many players have shown that they can keep formidable teams off-balance with the power and location of

Photos by Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

Returning Goochland volleyball players Nicole Brown (16) and Nina Smith warm up for a preseason scrimmage at home against Glen Allen last Thursday.

their strikes. An incredible backline of players includes leadership from Libero Blair Bussells, who’s able to go low and dive for hard-hit and difficult shots as well as run down and keep in play the high floaters near the gymnasium wall. She’s not alone, as defensive specialist Audrey Dolan and utility players Nova Wonderling and Nicole Brown can also absorb the hard shots to continue the point. The outside attack is explosive, as both Wonderling and Nina Smith can drop the hammer on play after play and make well-placed kills inside the corner and sidelines in addition to launching the ball with enough power to skip it off the receiving arms of their opponents. The middle attack has height on its side and is at least three players deep, as Brown, Layla Ford and Laura

Lee Baldwin all managed to make big plays at the position. The first point of Thursday’s scrimmage was off of a smartly-hit dink delivered by Ford. Multiple players – Brown, Ford and Wonderling among them – also made timely blocks across the course of the preseason match. Setting is yet another spot where Goochland has depth, as Brown, Marina Stratiou and newcomer Adele Wheatley all mixed in as the second touch on the ball. Brown’s versatility was on full display on Thursday, as she could set, block, go low for the serve-receive and put the ball away for a kill on a lightning strike. Bolstering the Bulldogs’ attack in Thursday’s scrimmage were returner Jasmine Price and newcomer Ava Garrison. Goochland’s Nova Wonderling (2) serves and Blair Bussells digs the ball during a preseason

see Volleyball > page 9 scrimmage versus Glen Allen at Goochland High School last Thursday.

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Goochland golf ties Charlottesville, Manno shoots 39 For Goochland golf, Gintas Putinas putts the ball towards the hole, Will Gravely chips a ball towards the green, Luke Manno watches his shot sail down the fairway and Michael Monahan drives the ball towards the green in last Thursday’s home match versus Charlottesville. Goochland and Charlottesville ended the match in a team tie at 166-166. Charlottesville’s Preston Burton was the medalist with a 35. Manno led Goochland with a score of 39. Also for Goochland, Gravely and Putinas each shot a 40, and Monahan shot a 47. Goochland was slated to play Monticello at Glenmore Country Club on Wednesday, Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. and will host Albemarle on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at Hermitage Country Club in Goochland County at 5 p.m.

Volleyball continued from > 8 “We’ve got a lot of flexibility,” Jacobsen said. “We don’t have as many humans, but we’ve got a lot of humans who play a lot of places, so we can shuffle a lot. We can do a lot of different things, and they have full autonomy on the court.” She pointed to a decision by Smith and Wonderling to switch positions on the court during the scrimmage, with Smith hitting outside and Wonderling hitting right side. “It worked,” Jacobsen said, noting how the players are “working to their own strengths, and they recognize when they need help or when they need to change something.” Thursday’s home scrimmage was a major tone setter for the Class 3 Bulldogs, as they rallied out of a 2-set deficit – having narrowly lost the second set 27-25 – to win it in

Goochland’s Layla Ford (left) attacks and Laura Lee Baldwin (right) warms up as Marina Stratiou (25) looks on.

five sets over Class 5 Glen Allen by sweeping the final three 25-16, 25-21, 15-11. “I’m definitely hopeful – (Glen Allen) is a big school, we’re a smaller

school, so it’s nice to see us take what we’ve got and work hard and come out on top,” Jacobsen said. While it was a scrimmage, Goochland’s players showed they

could make rallies, as was epitomized by their comeback from trailing the Jaguars 5-1 in the fifth set. “It’s nice to see us closing on that fifth set – that’s really important; it

shows growth,” Jacobsen said. “I’m really excited about that.” This year’s schedule sees Goochland shift to the Jefferson District, which features schools from the Charlottesville area and surrounding counties. The team was also slated to hold its season opener at home this past Tuesday against Class 4, Region B runner-up Powhatan. The slate looks to be challenging and beneficial to the Bulldogs as they work their way towards the Class 3 postseasons. “It’s going to be really important – I keep telling them we’re not in Kansas anymore; we’ve got a lot of big people we’re coming up against, they’re like, ‘All their girls are tall!’ We’re short, and that’s okay. We’re scrappy, we’re getting where we need to be. We’re working hard outside of that,” Jacobsen said. “We’re using what we’ve got instead of worrying about what we don’t. We’re excited for the season.”

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