The Goochland Gazette – 12/30/2021 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Historic photo highlight’s local hunting tradition > page 2

Volume 66 Number 52 • December 30, 2021

2021: Some hope, plenty of change In a year full of highs, including the arrival of a vaccine for COVID-19 and great strides made toward universal broadband, and lows – the loss of a beloved former supervisor, a brutal February ice storm that left thousands in the dark – one thing was certain: 2021 left us with plenty to talk about. As we prepare to ring in 2022, here are just a few of the stories we shared with our readers this year. See page 3

What we were talking about this year: (clockwise, from the left) 2021 saw many successful COVID-19 vaccine clinics held in Goochland; GHS students celebrated graduation; county administrator Kenny Young resigned; hundreds marched in the streets to demand justice for a Charlottesville man killed by State Police Troopers; and Field Days of the Past moved out of Goochland. File photos

County seeks feedback on proposal for redistricting Changes to local voting districts needed due to population growth since last 2010 census By Roslyn Ryan Editor

On Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, Goochland County released a proposed redistricting map, a document that outlines a plan to revise the boundaries of the county’s five election districts to ensure equal representation for county voters in future elections. According to county officials, the proposed revisions are to accommodate the county’s population growth based on the data from the 2020 US Census. The county’s current election districts were created after the 2010 US Census. The Proposed Redistricting Map follows all legal requirements and other criteria adopted by the board of supervisors. The proposed districts are substantially equal in population, contiguous and compact, the same basic shapes, and move the fewest number of voters. A full list of legally required and approved redistricting criteria can be found at www.goochlandva.us/redistricting. The county is providing numerous ways for residents to provide their comments and ensuring that everyone’s comments are shared with the community through the Redistricting website, www.goochlandva.us/redistricting. see Redistricting > page 2

Thursday

December 30, 2021

Parks and Rec offering Zumba Looking to kick off your fitness journey? Goochland County Parks and Recreation is hosting Zumba class from 6-7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays until Jan. 19. Zumba is a dance fitness format that will include pop, hip hop, and international music with dance rhythms that incorporate interval exercises. These dances will help you tone target areas on your body and increase your confidence, as this class is a judgment free zone. This party is for everyone regardless of their fitness level, and the fee is $7 per class. For more information contact Goochland County Parks and Recreation at (804) 556-5854.

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Goochland History Revealed SPORTS

Happy New Year CALL DEBRA!

Real Estate Broker for Over 30 Years

Goochland wrestling team starts off 7-1 PAGE 8 Classifieds ......................12-15 Letters .................................... 6 Opinion .................................. 6

Debra Hoffman, Associate Broker OFFICE: 347-3878

Sports .................................... 8 TV Listings ........................9-11

debra.hoffman@penfedrealty.com

Elrod & Dunham

Toll Free - (877) 888-0449 Office - (804) 746-1235

Dentistry

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

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

Photograph courtesy of the Goochland Historical Society

Historic photo highlights hunting tradition “Faithful Friends” was the title given by W. Edwin Booth to this photo he took in the Crozier area in the 1930s. December was a favorite month for hunting in Goochland County, and deer, turkey, quail, dove, raccoon, squirrel and opossum were all favorite game of local sportsmen. Booth, an award-winning photographer from the Richmond area who helped found the Richmond Camera Club, was known for his innovative manipulation of image color and texture for exhibition. He donated his Goochland images to the Goochland County Historical Society.

REDISTRICTING continued from >1 Citizens are encouraged to provide their comments online through a dedicated portal on the Redistricting website (www.goochlandva. us/redistricting), via email to Redistricting2021@goochlandva.us, or by mail to Goochland

County Administration, P.O. Box 10, Goochland, VA 23063. Citizens are also encouraged to take the opportunity to attend one of the five community meetings scheduled in January, either virtually or in person. The first meeting will be held at 4 p.m. on Jan. 5 at the Goochland County

Administration Building, Board Meeting Room 250. The board of supervisors plans to hold a public hearing on the final redistricting map on March 15, 2022, beginning at 6 p.m. in the county’s Board Room, Room 250 of the County Administration Building at 1800 Sandy Hook Road.

Joy Monopoli Publisher (804) 775-4614 Fax: (804) 819-5529 Laura McFarland Managing Editor (804) 363-1577 Roslyn Ryan Editor (804) 339-7956 Robby Fletcher Sports Editor (804) 380-0497 Cindy Adams Classifieds (804) 775-4616 Fax: (804) 344-8746 Denine D’Angelo Production Manager (804) 775-4624

Thursday

December 30, 2021

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

A year that brought us a vaccine at last, but also plenty of controversy Protests erupt after black Charlottesville teen shot by State Police following chase For LaToya Benton, Jan. 9 will always be remembered as the day her life changed forever. Early that morning, Benton’s son, Xzavier Hill, 18, was shot and killed by two Virginia State Troopers after a high speed chase that began in Henrico and ultimately ended in Goochland. According to information provided by the Virginia State Police, the incident began at 4:35 a.m. when a Virginia State Police trooper positioned on Interstate 64 at the 177 mile marker in Henrico County observed Hill’s 2003 HILL Mercedes Benz C230 traveling 98 mph in a posted 65 mph zone. When the trooper activated his emergency lights and siren, the Mercedes reportedly refused to stop and sped away in excess of 120 mph. As the fleeing vehicle approached the 172 mile marker on I-64, it pulled onto the right shoulder and attempted to make a U-turn in the westbound lanes. Instead the Mercedes ran off the left side of the interstate, slid down the embankment and became stuck in the median. As two troopers approached the stuck Mercedes, they gave the driver repeated verbal commands to exit his vehicle and show his hands. According to police, Hill displayed a firearm and was subsequently shot (a handgun was later recovered from inside the Mercedes). Hill was pronounced dead at the scene. During an emotional press conference at the Goochland County Courthouse on Jan. 16, Benton, who lives in Northern Virginia, told reporters that she believed her son had never intended to shoot the officers. “I’m not wrong, I know what I saw,” said Benton, who now wants the officers involved in her son’s death to be both fired and charged. “They killed my son.” Benton would go on to lead a campaign calling for justice for her son, an

effort that would receive nationwide attention and include several protest marches in Goochland. Footage of the shooting recorded by state police dashboard cameras was made public on Feb. 26, just after a grand jury made the decision not to charge the two officers involved. “In reviewing all of the evidence in its totality this body unanimously determines that the actions of Trooper Bone and Trooper Layton were reasonable, justified, and supported by the facts and circumstances as they were known to the troopers at the time,” the grand jury report said. “Accordingly, we unanimously find there is no probable cause to believe the troopers committed any criminal offense in the shooting of Xzavier Deyonte Hill.”

County employees awarded “thank you” bonus for response during pandemic In an effort to demonstrate their appreciation for the hard work and dedication of county employees, particularly during the ongoing pandemic, the Goochland County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Jan. 5 to award one-time monetary bonus payments to both full and part-time county employees, constitutional officers and employees of constitutional officers. The payments — in the amount of $1,500 for all full-time and $750 for all part-time employees in good standing as of Dec. 1, 2020 — came in the wake of an unprecedented shift in the way workers were asked to perform their duties. In March of 2020, when Virginia declared a state of emergency and county offices were shuttered, many county workers, including school employees, were suddenly tasked with finding new and creative ways to continue their work under a host of new restrictions. Back then, said District 5 Supervisor Ken Peterson, “we knew a whole lot less than we do know about how to stay safe, and it took a fair amount of courage for our employees to proceed into the unknown…we had to do things differently, but it all got done, and it was amazing

to see the ingenuity [employees] displayed on behalf of the county.” A budget amendment passed during the Jan. 5 meeting authorized the allocation of $387,540 to cover the cost of the county employees’ bonus payments and a $661,240 transfer to the school divisions’ operating fund in order to offer the payments to full-time and part-time school employees.

Former supervisor Quarles remembered for modeling kindness, respect for all As word spread in early February of the death of Goochland County School Board member and former Supervisor William Quarles, Jr., it soon became clear just how much he had meant to so many. A passionate and tireless supporter of numerous causes including education and public safety, Quarles, 68, passed away suddenly on Feb. 3. In addition to his duties as an elected official — prior to serving on the board of supervisors and school board, Quarles served on the planning commission from QUARLES 1998 to 2003 including two times as chairman — Quarles was also an active member of Goochland Democratic Committee (GDC). Simply put, “William was the heart and soul of our Committee,” said Tina Winkler, current GDC chair. “He always had a kind word and wisdom to impart and believed in service to community. His passing has reverberated throughout the community, which speaks to his dedication to Goochland, the home he loved so much.” In recognition and appreciation for Quarles’ service, then county administrator Kenneth A. Young, ordered the Goochland flag to remain at half-staff in his honor at all county facilities through sunset on Friday, Feb. 12. Quarles, who graduated from see 2021 > 4

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

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

Thursday

December 30, 2021

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

on our shared commitment President Wendy Hobbs and to educating the next genera- Chickahominy Health District continued from >3 tion.” population health manager Caitlin Hodge, Franck told Goochland High School in listeners that delivery of the Area public health 1970 and from Virginia Union highly effective Pfizer and University in 1974 with a officials celebrate Moderna vaccines, as well as Bachelor of Science degree vaccination efforts well-coordinated and efficient in chemistry and biology, In February, just over a year ongoing vaccination efforts, taught school in Louisa and since the United States first felt had allowed public health offiRichmond before going to the scourge of the COVID- cials to finally begin moving work at Dominion Power. 19 pandemic, Goochland resi- toward a possible end to the He worked for 30 years at dents waited alongside the rest coronavirus nightmare that Dominion Power’s (Dominion of the world for signs of hope had taken nearly 7,000 lives in Energy) North Anna Nuclear that an end could be in sight. Virginia and upended so many Power Station as a member And while those rare scraps others. of the chemistry and manageFranck said around 3,000 of good news were often ment team. doses had been administered hard to come by, that month Quarles joined the board in Goochland, or about 12.7% Chickahominy Health District of supervisors in January 2004 Director Dr. Thomas Franck of the county’s population. and was reelected to a secdelivered perhaps the most ond term in 2007. He served positive pandemic update Brutal ice storm as chairman of the board of many residents had heard in leaves hundreds of supervisors three times in quite some time. 2008, 2010 and 2011 and vice Speaking during a Feb. 11 thousands in dark chairman in 2007. Prior to It was one of the worst ice virtual Town Hall event orgaserving on the board of superstorms to hit Central Virginia nized by Goochland NAACP visors, Quarles served on the in decades, and Goochland residents joined more than 285,000 Virginians facing power outages over the weekend of Feb. 13-14, as trees laden with ice devastated powG IN ! erlines across the region. N M Julie Mills-Taylor, a comO COSO munications consultant with Dominion, said 220,000 customers had lost power at some point during the storm. Appalachian Power Co. reported that more than 40,000 of its Virginia customers, or 7%, remained without electric service as of 6 p.m. that Saturday. A number of weather spotter reports throughout COMING SOON! 4 Acres on South Anna River 22 Miles to Rt 288 / Wegman’s 12 Miles from Oilville central Virginia reported ice Exit One Story w/Finished Basement 3800 Livable Sq Ft. This Private Retreat is located on the of ¼ to ½-inch thick by early Cul-De-Sac, offering Professional Landscaped Japanese Gardens, Meditation Areas, Multiple Raised evening as rain continued to Garden Beds, 32x18 Garage, Greenhouse. Waterfront Lot with views of the South Anna River from fall. The National Weather 3 sides of the Home. Beautiful Entertaining Kitchen open to the Gathering Service in Wakefield received a Room, 3 Bedrooms on the main level (2 Primary BRs), Basement includes report of up to 0.6-inch-thick Media Room, Guest Quarters, Office, Exercise Room and Work Shop. This ice from Lunenburg County. Though not the heaviest ice Home is the complete package. $520,000 totals in central Virginia’s history, it did live up to forecasts Debra Hoffman, – and the billing as the biggest Associate Broker ice event since the catastrophic Christmas Eve storm of 1998, OFFICE: 347-3878 which left 400,000 without debra.hoffman@penfedrealty.com power.

2021

planning commission from 1998 to 2003 including two times as chairman. Among his numerous other accomplishments, Quarles was a co-founder and previously served as vice chairman of the Goochland Education Foundation. “Mr. Quarles has served the people of Goochland County in many ways over many years,” said Goochland School Board Chair Karen Horn, who served alongside Quarles beginning with his election to the school board in 2019. “This service most often included rising up the lives of children and supporting quality education for all. He used a gentle voice in this work and he was always a gentleman. As each board member shared with me, he was also a great listener. We will truly miss collaborating with William

485 Horseshoe Bend

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

New measure put in Goochland High place to help fight students celebrate nuisance noise graduation at GHS After two years and countless hours of work by county residents and local officials alike, Goochland County leaders approved a new plan in early May to help fight the kind of nuisance noise some say poses a significant threat to residents’ quality of life. On May 4, the Goochland County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an amendment to the County Code to include a provision against nuisance noise, a move that could help residents who have complained for years that they have had little to no recourse in dealing with everything from loud music to neighbors intent on riding ATVs without regard for anyone else at all hours of the day and night. Board members stopped short of banning any form of lawful shooting, and one key sticking point in approving the measure was making sure not to infringe on residents’ Second Amendment rights or impede local law enforcement officers from maintaining shooting proficiency. Agricultural and commercial noise are also exempt from the ordinance, which covers only property on which a residence is located. According to Goochland County Attorney Tara McGee, who worked closely with the Citizens Committee formed by the county in 2019 to address the issue, the committee “designed the whole ordinance to protect the peaceful enjoyment of residents’ homes,” McGee explained. “That’s what their goal was.” For the full text of the new ordinance, as well as research compiled by the Citizens Committee, visit https:// www.goochlandva.us/1050/ Noise-Committee.

For most students senior year brings with it plenty of challenges, from juggling advanced courses to figuring out how they will navigate their long-awaited first years of adulthood. For Goochland’s Class of 2021, however, there were a number of additional challenges added to the mix. As the first class to spend an entire academic year learning under the cloud of uncertainty brought on by the COVID19 pandemic, these were the students who spent their entire senior year engaged in at least some form of virtual learning. It wasn’t always easy — almost every student asked noted that the lack of face-toface time with friends and loss of personal interaction with teachers had been among the most difficult aspect of the past year — but students soon learned to adapt. On June 7, they gathered together at Goochland High School one last time to celebrate their achievements and look back on their high school journey.

Young resigns after less than a year as county administrator Last July, after less than a year in the role, Kenny Young resigned as Goochland’s county administrator. On July 8, the Goochland County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to accept Young’s resignation, stating that the parting is mutual and amicable. The board expressed its appreciation of Young’s service to Goochland County over the past 10 months, but noted that a close alignment in strategic vision is imperative for reachsee Looking back > 7

Thursday

December 30, 2021

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Visit bewellva.com for more information about suicide, healing, and wellness. If you are interested in receiving services, please reach out to Goochland Powhatan Community Services at 804-556-5400 or 804-598-2200. We are a Lock and Talk Partner in Preventing Suicide.

This message is sponsored by the Rural Substance Abuse Awareness Coalition of Goochland and Powhatan. Visit rsaac.org for more information

Thursday

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

December 30, 2021

Getting off on the right foot D By Roslyn Ryan Editor

espite the pandemic, there was plenty of good news to be found in Goochland this year. From a series of perfectly executed vaccine clinics to the smashing success of Goochland Day 2021, those living in this neck of the woods had an awful lot to celebrate. Of all the highlights, there was one that we would be remiss not to mention, simply because it served to underscore just what sort of people live and work in Goochland County. Just a few weeks ago, on a postcard-perfect autumn afternoon, dozens of Goochland County students, teachers and parents gathered at the Goochland Elementary School track to mark the successful completion of the county’s first Girls on the Run session. If you’ve never heard of the program — and I must admit I hadn’t until recently — Girls on the Run is an international nonprofit organization focused on supporting social, physical and emotional well-being in girls ages 8-13. In Goochland, Goochland Elementary School fifth grade teacher Ashby Pond first proposed the idea of offering Girls on the Run as an option for

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 Sports Editor Sales Representative Classifieds Production Manager

Joy Monopoli

jmonopoli@RSNVA.com

students, suspecting it might be something young girls would be interested in. Clearly, she was right. For the 20 Goochland girls who signed on (20 is the maximum number each class can hold), weekly sessions included workshops on goal setting, positive self-talk and effective communication — and, of course, running. Participants also had the opportunity to discuss their own personal “star powers,” those traits that set them apart and make them proud. As the program progressed, the students were supported by a dedicated group of 10 teachers who volunteered their time twice a week, as well as a student volunteers from Goochland High School. On the day the first session ended with a celebratory 5K — 13 laps around the elementary school track — the joy on the faces of the 20 young ladies who took part was clearly evident. Harder to measure, but impossible to deny, will be the impact of the program on their self-esteem and the ways the experience will help them succeed as they progress into high school and beyond. The fact that Girls on the Run has come to Goochland speaks volumes about the selfless, forward-thinking kind of people we are fortunate to have in this county. Fortunately, according to Pond, this is just the beginning of what she and others hope will become a tradition for county students (a similar program for young men, called “Let Me Run,” is on the way as well). “You have truly started something wonderful,” said School Board chair Karen Horn to Pond during the last county school board meeting of 2021. We couldn’t agree more.

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.

Laura McFarland lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com Roslyn Ryan

rryan@gooochlandgazette.com

Robby Fletcher

rfletcher@powhatantoday.com

Tom Haynie

thaynie@mechlocal.com

Cindy Adams

cadams@mechlocal.com

Denine D’Angelo ddangelo@mechlocal.com

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

Letters to the Editor Woman’s kind gesture was much appreciated by her neighbors Dear Editor, I am writing to share a recent heartwarming experience. My nephew recently sent my husband and me a gift box that featured a nice assortment of highquality meat. Unfortunately, it was evidently delivered to an incorrect address. I learned this when my doorbell rang, and by the time I got to the door the nice lady was already back in her car (keeping distance from strangers is very smart in these COVID times!), through her window she told me it had been delivered to a family member on a different street but she had noticed my address and brought it to my home. I said “Thank you very much,” and she drove away. We all go to the the grocery store, and in these days of rampant inflation, especially of necessary items like meat and fuel, this gift would be greatly appreciated by any family (unless they are all vegetarians!). The “free” meat would likely have reduced their grocery bill for the next month. It’s possible that no one outside the family would ever have known if they had kept it. But that’s the point: they would know, and they evidently understand enough about the meaning of Christmas and being a Good Neighbor that the nice lady (who I never met before) went out of her way to bring the gift to the correct destination. In these days where we see so much bad news, and stories of ‘porch pirates’ who steal packages right off of other’s porches, I wanted to share this story of a local family who demonstrated what being a Good Neighbor is all about. To the honest family: thank you and have a blessed Christmas! Thank you, Susan Bennett Maidens

see Letters > page 7

Thursday

December 30, 2021

Looking back continued from >4 ing the highest level of excellence in local government. “On behalf of all the board members,” said Chairman John L. Lumpkins Jr. “We wish Kenny success in his future endeavors.” Reached by phone, Young said that he and board members “came to a mutually agreeable decision to part ways.” He added that he wished “the citizens, employees and businesses of Goochland County well.” Former Supervisor Manuel Alvarez was selected by the board to serve as acting county administrator until a replacement is selected.

Goochland parents speak out against Critical Race Theory As school divisions across the nation continue to wade into the debate over how history should be taught in public schools, a number of Goochland residents told county school board members that they vehemently oppose any inclusion of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in the curriculum. Speaking during the public comment period of the July 13 county school board meeting, the handful of residents 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 and the community at large. Some localities, including Chesterfield, had already 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 considered to be part of a CRT curriculum. Goochland school leaders had 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. 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 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 Dr. Jeremy Raley assured those in attendance that the school division has no plans to introduce CRT into classrooms.

County convenience Center for our recycles and our household continued from >6 trash. On Thursday, Dec. 23 at 3 p.m., we were emptying our Young man’s actions recycling when a young man showed Goochland named Thaddeus Martin asked if he could assist. And assist he is in good hands did. He jumped into the bed of Dear Editor, our pickup, gabbed the remains My wife and I are both in of our recycling and then asked our 80s. We use the Central

Letters

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor Busted Goochland Goochland County sewer main leads to students return to area water advisory classroom full time In July, a sewer line break in Goochland’s eastern end led to a recreational water advisory issued by the Virginia Department of Health. Goochland County officials confirmed that the issue began on the evening of Tuesday, July 27, when a sewer line break occurred along River Road near the Henrico County border, releasing around 300,000 gallons of untreated sewage into a nearby ditch. The break led to the closure of River Road for several hours before it reopened around midnight. County utility customers were not impacted by the break and no service disruption occurred. Representatives from Goochland County Department of Public Utilities, Henrico County Department of Public Utilities, Goochland County Fire-Rescue, Goochland County Sheriff’s Office, Henrico County Division of Fire, Henrico County Police, and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) all responded to the scene and break. All pertinent local and state agencies were notified about the break including the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality who also responded to the scene. A section of River Road (Route 650) in Goochland was closed off to allow for the emergency utility repair project. if he could take our household trash to the appropriate receptacle. We have concluded that the future of Goochland County is in good hands with people like Thaddeus Martin. Respectfully Andrew and Claire Donnelly Manakin Sabot

Goochland County School Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Raley was front and center at the Goochland High School and Middle School complex on Monday, Aug. 23, 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: that morning marked the return of full-time in-person learning for all Goochland County Public School 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.”

County residents celebrate return of annual parade Goochland Day, a free out-

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

door festival featuring acres of food, music and games, was held at the Goochland County Sports Complex on Sept. 25, drawing thousands of revelers out to enjoy the festivities. And while that event seemed impossible to top, there was one other key event that day that had the entire town talking: the return of the Goochland Day Parade. Following the parade, which returned after a 15-year hiatus featuring Goochland County Sheriff Steven Creasey as the Grand Marshall, Goochland Day offered food trucks, pony rides, contests — including a bubblegum blowing challenge—scores of local vendors, and performances by the Richmond band Harley Boone, as well as solo artists Trace Nixon and Eric Tusing. According to Elizabeth Nelson-Lyda, the driving force behind bringing Goochland Day back to the county, the goal of the event was to bring people together and remind them

just how much Goochlanders have in common. “I like to do things that encourage people to come together as a community,” said Nelson-Lyda, who was joined in her efforts by fellow Goochland Day Foundation board members Carey Stagg – Goochland Day Foundation President– Annette Butler Jones, Christopher Subudhi, Ledra Allen, Thom Dykers, Terry Hazelton, Michael Haley, Troy May. Nelson-Lyda noted that organizers were expecting a large turnout, which raised concerns about parking. To Stagg, the challenge of holding such a large-scale event was made easier by the many volunteers who pitched in since planning began. “I could not be more pleased with the level of heart, dedication, patience and skill, and cannot thank them enough for their mentorship, encouragement, love, guidance, and support to bring see Review > 11

New Workforce Class Plate Welding Certification • • • • •

Where: Powhatan High School 2 nights a week, 6-9 pm Who: Adults 18 and over 022 When: Spring 2022 Cost: $1000.00 Register Now! Ace.mychesterfieldschools.com

Call for More Information 804-768-6140

Thursday

December 30, 2021

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

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Goochland wrestling starts off 7-1 By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

A few weeks back, Goochland wrestling head coach Jeremy Wampler said something to his staff that would form the basic theme built around this year’s group of promising wrestlers that have led the Bulldogs to a 7-1 record going into winter break. “It’s time.” In his second season as head coach, or as he calls it “Year one, part two,” Wampler has seen his seasoned team — consisting of 17 juniors and seniors — develop into legitimate threats in the Jefferson District, and now he believes they’re ready to take the next step. Last season, coach Wampler told his group that they needed to prioritize aggression on the Nick Vandeloecht/File Photo mats not just with the opponent, but with each other if Goochland junior Reese Vincent reacts after pinning Amelia’s Caleb O’Brien in the Bulldogs’ tri meet at Cumberland High they wanted to truly dominate. School on Jan. 11. Vincent holds a perfect 8-0 record going into Iron sharpens iron as they say, the second half of Goochland’s 2021-22 season. and with this year’s team, the

iron is looking mighty sharp. “This group wants to wrestle, and they want to wrestle mean,” he said. So far this season, the mean streak in the Bulldogs has been evident. They’ve taken down teams like L.C. Bird, Hermitage and Fluvanna County with relative ease, with the lone loss coming against Cosby on Dec. 17. Even then, they still beat the three other schools they had to face that day. There have been plenty of student-athletes who have taken a leap this year, Wampler says, including junior Reese Vincent at 160 pounds, who is a perfect 8-0 on the year with five pins. After a sophomore season where Vincent showed plenty of promise alongside some struggles against certain opponents, Wampler says he’s taken the necessary steps to improve on his talent and the results are speaking for themselves. “There were definitely some moments where I could

tell he was frustrated, and to see him fight through all that and keep working this year, he’s earned a couple of really impressive wins against guys that he should be beating,” coach Wampler said. Vincent is coming off one of his best wins of his wrestling career in Goochland’s matchup with Fluvanna County. Facing off against senior David Taylor, Vincent played a smart and patient match with his foe, and came away with a crucial 6-4 decision to remain perfect on the season. Another wrestler that has shown a lot of improvement is senior Alex Rosenbaum, who is also a perfect 8-0 to start the season. Rosenbaum, competing in the 285-pound weight class, has five pins so far this season and has demonstrated major strides in his wrestling ability, Wampler says. The success of this Bulldogs team has been built through a steady process by this coaching staff to develop trust and

chemistry within the group over the last few seasons. With so much experience built within the fabric of this team’s identity, coach Wampler believes Goochland has all the makings of a great team that will only continue to get better as the season progresses. “It’s the necessary mix of what you need on a wrestling team,” he said. “We have a couple guys who do an amazing job leading the group. Different people have naturally stepped into different roles, there’s no single leader.” And as the program trends upward, the pipeline beneath it has continued to strengthen. Wampler says that Goochland’s middle school-age club team has over 20 athletes learning the sport, with competitive exhibition matches soon on the horizon. “We’re growing as a program and whatever I can do to help in the Goochland community, I’d love to continue to do that,” he said.

Bulldogs search for consistency after holiday invitational By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

After losing two games as the host team of the Goochland Holiday Basketball Invitational, the Bulldogs are using this time off to find themselves as they jump into the second half of the season. While there have been games where things seem to be moving in the right direction for Goochland — like in their nine-point win against Narrows on Dec. 18 — there are also games where they’ve struggled to keep up with their opponents. While the holiday tournament opener against New Kent was somewhere in between,

with the team scoring 51 points and moving the ball well despite losing by nine, the second game against William Monroe falls more in line with the latter as they lost 61-23 to end the tournament. “I knew going in they were a solid basketball team,” head coach Preston Gordon said about William Monroe. “They just play fundamental basketball, they take care of the ball and boy can they shoot it.” Even in a 38-point loss, there were still glimpses of the potential the Bulldogs (3-4) have shown this season. They started out with three straight makes from the field, two from J.J. Cox and one a pick-andpop jumper from senior center De’Andre Robinson, but the

Dragons quickly shut down the interior and forced the Bulldogs to play around the perimeter. Things never improved offensively, with the team scoring less than 10 points in each quarter of the game. Regardless, in situations like that, the team still needs to fight, which coach Gordon says they did up until the end. Those have been key talking points for coach Gordon and his staff this season, and while they’re not where he wants them to be in those areas, he is confident that his roster of student-athletes have the talent and dedication to overcome these obstacles and right the ship. “Our guys are capable of

playing a whole lot better, and I’ve got to figure out a way to get them to play better,” he said. Going into the break, there have been some positives so far this season. Cox and fellow senior J.D. Mills have been a reliable backcourt tandem, with both showing confidence shooting from the perimeter. Robinson and junior forward Justin Morton have also left an impression in the frontcourt as two of the team’s reliable rebounders under the basket. With 13 regular seasongames left and five days until they’re back on the floor after a two-week break, the Bulldogs will be looking to get over the .500 hump and back to their winning ways.

Photo by Robby Fletcher

Senior guard Darius Carroll crosses over to his right hand while trying to get past William Monroe guard Ja’Quis Carpenter in the first quarter of Goochland’s 61-23 loss at home on Dec. 22. The game was the second in two days for the Bulldogs.

Thursday

THURSDAY EVENING 4 PM 4:30 5 PM

Serving Goochland County

TV LISTINGS: Find Local TV Shows and Movie Schedules

December 30, 2021

Since 1955

DECEMBER 30, 2021 10:30 11 PM 11:30 12 AM