The Goochland Gazette – 02/03/2022 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Goochland History: Image provides cherished link to community’s past > page 2

Volume 66 Number 5 • February 3, 2022

Three from GHS lauded for earning top scores

2023 School Budget

Raley: Salary bump will help to recruit top talent By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Goochland County school superintendent Jeremy Raley is asking the county school board to approve a 5% raise for all Goochland County Public School employees as part of the division’s proposed FY2023 budget, pointing to a need to both attract and retain top talent to Goochland. The increase will be comprised of a 3% merit

Contributed report

increase for employees who meet the required performance standard, as well as a 2% market adjustment to help offset the rising cost of living. The looming question, however, is whether the bump in pay will ultimately be enough in the long run. Even as he made his presentation to the school board on Jan. 25, Raley acknowledged

see Raise > 3

‘Valentines for Vets’ effort returns for third year Contributed Report U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger recently announced the launch of her third annual “Valentines for Vets” program to collect and distribute Valentine’s Day cards to Seventh District veterans. Virginians are encouraged to par-

ticipate in “Valentines for Vets” by dropping off or mailing cards to Spanberger’s Henrico County district office. A contactless bin is located outside of the Glen Allen location for those choosing to physically deliver them to her office. The deadline for submission is Thursday, Feb. 10.

“Virginia is home to hundreds of thousands of veterans — and my office’s Valentines for Vets program has been an annual, small way for us to show our appreciation for those who have protected our nation,” said Spanberger. “Next month, I look forward to many Virginia veterans, their

caregivers, and their families reading handwritten cards with messages of gratitude from our community members. These Virginians have earned our recognition, they have earned our respect, and they deserve to know that we recognize their sacrifices. I hope

see Valentines > 3

Three Goochland High School students were recently recognized by the College Board for PSAT/ NMSQT scores in the top 10% in Virginia. Alex Geyer, Cooper Dewitt, and Brookelyn Green were awarded the National Rural and Small Town Recognition DEWITT Award, an award granted to students who attend a school that the Census Bureau identifies as a rural area or small town. The College GEYER Board National Recognition Programs grant students academic honors that can be included on college and scholarship applications. GREEN Colleges use these honors to identify students from underrepresented groups who have excelled in see Students > 8

Thursday

February 3, 2022

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Serving Goochland County

Goochland History Revealed A father, a son and a link to county’s past

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This picture of William Gray (seated) and his son Robert was taken in about 1880. William was born in 1826 and his son Robert was born in 1868. The Gray family lived in a house just behind the Goochland County Courthouse where descendants live to this day. The image is a tintype, a popular form of photography that spanned from the 1850s to the 1930s. It peaked in popularity between the 1860s and 1870s. Today the format is still used to create souvenir pictures at carnivals and theme parks. Tintypes are very collectible and the Goochland County Historical Society has a few that are worth seeing. Please consider bringing yours in to your local Historical Society to be scanned for future generations to enjoy. (Be sure to bring a note identifying the sitters, if known.)

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Since 1955

SPORTS

Bulldogs baseball host Hot Stove PAGE 9 Calendar ................................ 5 Classifieds ........................... 14 Letters .................................... 6 Obituaries .............................. 3 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports ...............................9-10 TV Listings ......................11-13

Photo courtesy of Goochland County Historical Society

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Recent Property Transfers 7479 Brandiston St., Glen Allen; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Carol M. Rueter, $555,975. 2565 Corey Run Court, Manakin Sabot; Jeffrey Seredni to William S. Gillen, $1,440,000. 500 Edgehill Wood Road, Manakin Sabot; William E. Kindervater to Carrie Choe, $430,000. 1607 Genito Road, Crozier; William E. Weatherford Jr. to Christina Jordan Dunn, $450,000.

3986 Helmet Lane, Louisa; Eric H. Umstead to David Scott Pierpont, $470,000. 605 Joe Brooke Lane, Manakin Sabot; Thomas D. Dickson, trustee to Jane M. Dufrane, $1,150,000. 1523 Oak Grove Drive, Manakin Sabot; Sharief Lydon Ferris to Natalie T. Haboush, $400,000. 3003 Preston Park Terrace, Sandy Hook; Chesterfield Construction Services Inc. to Diane M. Bishop, $440,155.

3009 Royal Virginia Parkway, Louisa; Marian Crawford to Catherine D. Herzog, $405,000. 2957 Summerchase Lane, Goochland; Phillip A. Blaschick to Robert Scott Dietz, $950,000. 3306 Tillar Lane, Goochland; RCI Builders LLC to Chelsea Jean Fisher, $590,028. 3929 Whitehall Road, Sandy Hook; New Ventures Real Estate LLC to Corey Caward, $379,950.

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

February 3, 2022

Obituaries JAMES BATES JR. Mr. James “Bubba” David Bates Jr., 65, of Goochland, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, January 1, 2022. Bubba is survived by his wife, Wanda W. Bates; two sons, Ian and Whitaker (Carmen Freeze Bates); sister, Cindy Johnson (James Johnson); nephews, Christopher and Andrew; and many family members and friends. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held BATES at Hope Church, 12445 Patterson Ave., Monday, February 7 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to Hope Church. LORETTA BLAKELY Loretta Young Blakely, of Easton, Md., passed away on January 11, 2022. Loretta was born in Sophia, W.Va. on October 1, 1942 to the late Rev. Cleveland Richard Young and Susan Mae Reid Young. Loretta’s memory is cherished by her husband, Lewis Blakely, to whom she was married for 59 years; two children, Cindy Carrier and her husband, Robert, of Harwood, Md., Shawn BLAKELY Blakely and his wife, Tara, of Stevensville, Md.; her five grandchildren, Kyle and Ben Carrier, Grace, William and Connor

Raise continued from >1 that that pay increase on its own does not do enough to reach the division’s goal of being the regional leader in salary and compensation. “Even with our best efforts, we still have not made the gains that we need to make to recognize these employees and pay them what they deserve,” Raley said, pointing out that even with the proposed salary increase Goochland would still rank sixth behind Hanover, Louisa, Powhatan, Fluvanna and Henrico when it comes to

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NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Blakely. Loretta is also survived by her five siblings, Lenvil Young and his wife, Topsy, Sallie Blair, Paul Young, Elizabeth Flanagan and her husband, Dave, Roger Young and his wife, Sandy; and many nieces and nephews and life-long friends. She was predeceased by her brothers, Jimmie and Johnny Young. Loretta will be remembered for her gracious and generous heart, her love and adoration of her family, her faith in the Lord and her gift of teaching. A Celebration of Life will be held on June 25 in Easton, Md. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of your choice. For updated service information and online condolences, please visit www.fhnfuneralhome.com. MYRTLE MUIRE Myrtle Katherine Muire, born Myrtle Katherine Hawk, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2022 at the age of 91. She was preceded in death by her husband, Linwood Muire Sr.; and survived by their sons, Linwood Jr. and Alvin. She had four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and four great-greatgrandchildren. Myrtle was one of nine children and grew up in Goochland, but lived MUIRE in Henrico and worked for the Henrico School District for 22 years. She retired with her husband to Powhatan. She was active in the Powhatan Women’s Club and volun-

salary. In Goochland, for example, a teacher just starting out will make about $46,565 per year, while in Hanover that same teacher will begin at $46,982. In Henrico, the top-ranking school division, that number jumps to $48,031. For a teacher with 25 years’ experience, the gap between teachers in Goochland and the regional median salary is $2,462 per year. “These teachers [in Goochland], with their exceptional skills, can work wherever they want, and they choose to work here,” Raley said, pointing out that the county’s

teered at the Clothes Closet. She will be missed. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Fairfield Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsville, Va. There was a viewing on Friday, January 28, 2022 at Norman Funeral Chapel in Goochland; followed by a service at 12 p.m., after which she was interred at Greenwood Memorial Gardens in Goochland. TIMOTHY SMITH Timothy Henry Smith, was called to rest on January 18, 2022. He was born in Richmond, Virginia on May 17, 1942. He was preceded by his parents, Samuel A. Smith Sr. and Mary Flannagan; and brothers, Samuel A. Smith and Ted Smith. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Donna Jean Smith; one son, Timothy Owen Smith; two daughters, Jacqueline Smith and Jennifer McBurnett; a SMITH granddaughter, Ashley Rigsby; two grandsons, Nicholas Dunn and Takoda Smith; and one great-granddaughter, Addison Rigsby. Tim was the owner-operator of Goochland Sanitation, a family business that he took over for his father in 1960. He also worked for Goochland County as the Convenience Center Supervisor from 1978 until his retirement in 2013. Tim was a Life Member of Goochland Fire Rescue. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Goochland Fire Rescue Co. #3, P.O. Box 247, Goochland, Virginia 23063.

small class sizes and a significant degree of autonomy and flexibility for teachers has continued to attract dedicated and talented professionals. His concern, said Raley, is just how long those incentives will continue to be attractive enough to outweigh the higher salaries teachers and staff might find elsewhere. “I don’t want to look down the road three years from now and say ‘Why didn’t we do something then?’” Raley said. The good news, he noted, is that “it is a raise, it is greater than 5%, and I’m hopeful that we can leverage some additional revenue going forward.”

Since 1955

Sheriff’s Office issues phone scam warning Contributed report

The Goochland County Sheriff ’s Office received a report from a citizen advising that they had received a phone call from an individual impersonating one of the office’s deputies. The individual used one of the deputy’s name and rank during the conversation and advised the caller that they owed fines for failing to show up for jury duty. The caller requested that the citizen purchase iTunes gift cards to cover the

cost of the fines and to provide them with the gift card numbers. There have been several different variations of this scam over the past year throughout the Richmond area. No deputy of the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office will ever call in attempt to collect money. Residents can report any scam attempts to the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office’s non-emergency number at (804) 5565349.

pate once again in 2022.” Spanberger’s Henrico continued from >1 County district office is located many of our neighbors here in at 4201 Dominion Blvd, Suite Virginia will choose to partici- 110, Glen Allen, VA 23060.

Valentines

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Thursday

February 3, 2022

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

We spend snow days a little differently. Thank you for your patience as we worked to restore power after Virginia’s recent winter storms. Whatever Mother Nature throws at us, our goal remains the same: provide reliable power to our customers day in and day out.The recent winter weather was no exception. Restoration planning began before the first snowflake, and thousands of Dominion Energy crews, support staff, and contractors worked 24/7 until power was restored to every single home and business we serve. As your energy provider, and as members of the community, we know you rely on us every day to deliver power safely and reliably. It’s a responsibility we take seriously, in the dead of winter, in the heat of summer, and every season in between.

Thursday

February 3, 2022

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Library Calendar Saturday, Feb. 5 Creative Hearts will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 10 a.m. – noon for participants ages 12-18. Create your own heart art on a canvas for a special gift for someone you love and learn about a healthy heart for a healthy new year. Registration required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/event/8523071. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Tuesday, Feb. 8 The Ins and Outs of Social Security will be held at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library from 6 – 7 p.m. This presentation will educate you on the many decisions involved in claiming Social Security, as well as their consequences, and provide strategies to maximize the benefits

received. Registration required or visit the library for more at https://pamunkeylibrary. information. libcal.com/event/8684298. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit Saturday, Feb. 12 the library at 16600 Pouncey Ornamental Pollinator Tract Road for more informaGarden is not an oxymotion. ron! During an Ornamental My First Library will be Pollinator Gardens workshop held at the Goochland Branch from 11a.m. – noon, particiLibrary from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. pants can learn how to use Create a baby’s first library seven easy, native plants to with a heart theme using a produce six full months of crate, markers, and sten- garden blooms, bee food, cil. Registration required at and bouquets to bring inside. https://pamunkeylibrary.lib- Presented by Cathy McCarthy, cal.com/event/8518082. Call Master Gardener. Registration (804) 556-4774 or visit the is required at https://pamunlibrary at 3075 River Road k e y l i b r a r y. l i b c a l . c o m / event/8518119. This program West for more information. is hosted virtually through Zoom and the meeting link Friday, Feb. 11 will be sent to the email regFriday Book Group will istered one day before the be held at the Goochland event occurs. If you don’t Branch Library from 11 a.m. – receive your reminder email noon. Registration required at on Friday, Feb. 11, contact the https://pamunkeylibrary.lib- library. Call (804) 556-4774 or cal.com. Call (804) 556-4774 visit the library at 3075 River

Troop 710 set to host spaghetti dinner and live auction Feb. 26 Annual event raises funds for programs, gear Contributed report BSA Goochland Troop 710 will host its annual spaghetti dinner and live auction on Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Cub Adventure Camp Dining Hall located at 1723 Maidens Road in Maidens. Sensitive to the COVID-19 landscape, the Troop encourages drive-through pickup and virtual live auction participation. In-person seating is limited and dinner will be from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Please note, tickets will not

be sold at the door for in-person seating. Tickets must be purchased in advance on-line at 710dinner.com. The cost of tickets are $15 per adult, $8 for children 12 and under and children two and under are free. The live auction, which will operate in-person and on-line, will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. The meal will be served in closed containers and includes a healthy portion of spaghetti with homemade sauce, grated cheese, salad with choice of dressing, bread, beverage, and dessert. Sponsorships are available as well as the opportunity to donate items to the live auction. More information can be found at the event’s website,

710dinner.com. This is the troop’s main fundraiser for the year, with all funds supporting equipment, programs and supplies. Troop 710 is Goochland’s only troop serving both young men and young women in Goochland and the surrounding area. The girl’s troop and the boy’s troop operate independently of one another which includes leadership and activities. Both troops are scout led. In 2021, Scouts camped over 35 nights, backpacked over 100 miles, hiked, paddled, climbed, and biked in 11 states including Virginia. Along the way they performed hundreds of hours of community service and learned valuable life skills.

Road West for more information. Saturday, Feb. 19 All about Loom Weaving will be held at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library from 1 - 2 p.m. Learn how to create a hand woven piece and participate in a mindful art. Registration required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/event/8666548. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information. Tuesday, Feb. 22 Goochland Mystery Book Group will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 10– 11 a.m. Registration required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

SURS museum will host program honoring organization’s founders The Second Union Rosenwald School Museum, Inc. extends a warm invitation to the general public to join the group on Feb. 19 and 20, from noon to 2 p.m. for a program honoring and appreciating the sacrifices made in establishing the Second Union Rosenwald School Museum. The museum is located at 2843 Hadensville-Fife Road in Goochland Former students and members will be there to assist and answer questions relating to the artifacts in the museum and the history of Second Union Rosenwald School. CDC guidelines will be followed. In the event of inclement weather, the museum will be opened on Feb. 26 and 27. Kitchens/Baths Patios/Decks New Construction Doors/Windows Sidewalks/Pavers Remodels/Additions

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OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

February 3, 2022

Captured voices of the past offer true gift By Roslyn Ryan Editor

This week, as part of our continuing series “Goochland History Revealed,” we printed a photo of Goochland resident William Gray and his son Robert. The photo, taken in 1880, is not unlike so many captured during that time period. The two men are well-dressed and wear somber expressions, but what they were thinking in that moment, of course, has been lost to history. As we mark Black History Month this month, we will once again focus much of our discussion on the major milestones of the African-American experience. And though new victories in the fight for Civil Rights have been added in recent years, much of what we will

talk about is now far in the past. A bit of quick math: The last people to have firsthand knowledge of slavery in this country have been gone for nearly half a century. Of the original 13 Freedom Riders —those brave young men and women who put their lives on the line to fight racial discrimination – only two are still alive (one of the most well-known of that group, John Lewis, died in 2020 after a battle with cancer). It has now been 67 years since the landmark Brown vs. the Board of Education case, and the lead plaintiff, Oliver Brown, passed away in 1961. Even the youngest people to witness Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his iconic “I Have a Dream” address are approaching their 70s. The voices of the ordinary men

and women who lived through some of our nation’s most tumultuous times—and wrote some of the most inspiring chapters in our history — will eventually fade away, and with them a rich history of a people’s battle to claim their rightful place in American society. They are the ones who have lived rich lives but rarely made headlines. They have gone about their daily tasks, working hard, supporting families and serving their country. Their thoughts have remained their own, their personal daily triumphs largely unheralded. And this is why it is so important that, whenever possible, these voices and stories are preserved for future generations. How can this be done? It’s far easier than some might think. For

an investment of less than $20, and a few hours here and there, just about anyone can begin chronicling the incredible stories that so often remain hidden, simply because no one takes the time to ask. It is always a good idea to begin close to home—ask parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and anyone else who might be willing to share their experiences with you. Sometimes you will get a riveting story. Sometimes you will simply enjoy a conversation with and get a new window into the life of someone you only thought you knew. Either way, when you take the time to record and preserve the stories of those who witnesses history—either as a participant or a bystander—you are giving a true gift to future generations.

Tell Me A Story

Pair of earrings ignited a pink passion By Dawn Dotson Contributing Columnist

(Editor’s note: The following contribution is part of the Gazette’s continuing series “Tell Me a Story,” in which we ask our readers to share tales from their own lives or the lives of family members.) On a toasty day in the summer of 1984, my family visited Emerald Isle, North

Carolina, for vacation. My ear piercings had finally healed enough, so I could get earrings other than the 14-karat gold studs you had to wear for months. I really wanted French hoop earrings that dangled. It seemed a tall request to find something big, dangly, and lightweight. After searching every boardwalk store, I finally found the perfect pair of wooden flamingos. Since this was the only pair I could find,

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I wore them every day straight for several months. When you wear something all the time, folks naturally assume you collect that type of item. Many years ago, flamingo items were few and far see Flamingos > 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.

Laura McFarland lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com Roslyn Ryan

rryan@gooochlandgazette.com

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Tom Haynie

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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 © 2022 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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The importance of New Year’s resolutions Christina Dolan Mechanicsville Local Editor

I fell into a conversation recently about how, to my astonishment, February was just around the corner. I sat and pondered this on the drive home, staring out the window and wondering to myself, “Where did the time go?” It felt like just yesterday, I thought, that I had toasted my family to the New Year with excited anticipation and holiday cheer. Now I begin to wonder, as the New Year seems to already flit by, “Where did my New see Resolution > page 8

Letter to the Editor Despite the pandemic, GoochlandCares has continued to serve Dear Editor, The year 2021 was quite a year here at GoochlandCares! The pandemic, that just won’t seem to go away, continued to challenge us to find ways to safely deliver critical services to the most vulnerable in our community. We implemented a testing and contact-tracing process for staff and volunteers to keep the workplace as safe as possible. We hosted 17 client vaccine events and eight client booster events where we immunized almost 1,000 individuals. Some programs developed curbside pickup options and others conducted services at car-side. Thanks to our amazing volunteers, donors, partners, and staff, GoochlandCares kept all programs operating, providing food, clothes, medical, dental, and mental health care, transportation, hope repairs and housing, domestic violence

see Letters > 7

Thursday

February 3, 2022

Flamingos continued from >6

Letters continued from >6 advocacy, and financial assistance to neighbors in crisis. We provided a lifeline for the many GoochlandCares clients still struggling with hardships brought on or exacerbated by Covid-19. Goochland is a wonderful community where residents,

businesses, and non-profit organizations work together to ensure their neighbors’ wellbeing. During the height of the Covid crisis, GoochlandCares was part of the Goochland Community Citizen Task Force which met weekly to identify needs and coordinate resources and responses. Our partnerships with Goochland County Social Services, Goochland County

Since 1955

County convenience centers extend waiver on brush fees

glass and made one just for me that fits inside a thimble. My largest piece is a 10-foottall stuffed toy flamingo which my husband found on Ebay in 2005. He gave it to me for Christmas in its original packaging, a 20-inch square box. It exploded upon opening, quickly becoming the largest and most memorable of my collection. Flamingo items are all over the place on our property, inside and outside our home. Most figurines are retained inside a 6-foot tall, 3-foot wide, and 1-foot deep curio cabinet to keep away from prying kitty paws. In 2017, I started the application process to get in the Guinness World Records Book. The process turned out to be a lot larger of an endeavor than I was willing or able to do, so I reveled in the knowledge I beat the 2017 holder’s 616 pieces. The current 2019 record holder has 2,595. At my last full count in 2017, I had over 1,500 pieces ranging from jewelry, clothes, concrete sculptures, kitchen items, figurines, etc… Since I am still collecting, I am sure I will be close to beating the world record soon and will once again revel as a legend in my own mind.

between. Everyone took it as a mission to find them for me, and it became a life-long scavenger hunt. My original flamingo earrings broke in many pieces after over twenty years of wear. I miss them, but I will always remember them fondly as the beginning of my love of collecting flamingos. All items have their own unique story. My favorite is a tie between a handmade mirror from a Richmond, Virginia, craft show made by a woman battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and a coffee table with a tiled flamingo scene purchased in the Northern Neck, Virginia. The coffee table was almost destroyed in 2010 by our dog, Mojo, an American Bulldog who was 2 years old at the time when he decided to chew a corner off it. Fortunately, my wonderful uncle was able to restore it to pristine condition with his excellent woodworking skills, tile laying, and paint job. The item I received in the most interesting way was in 2015 when a nice, unique woman stopped by our home, handed me a yard sculpture, said she loved flamingos too and wanted Do you have a story you me to have it. The smallest was handmade at another would like to share with the Richmond, Virginia, craft Gazette? Send it to rryan@ show. The gentleman blew goochlandgazette.com.

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OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

Contributed report Goochland County is extending the waiving of residents’ fees for brush disposal at the Central and Western Convenience Centers through Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, to give residents additional time to clean up from the winter storm that occurred on and

since Jan. 3. The fee waiver for brush disposal applies to both the Central Convenience Center at 1908 Hidden Rock Lane and the Western Convenience Center at 3455 Hadensville-Fife Road. The Convenience Centers are open Monday – Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Photo courtesy of Dawn Dotson

A curio cabinet in Dawn Dotson’s home features some of the 1,500 flamingo-related items she has collected over the years.

Sheriff ’s Office, Chickahominy Health District, Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services, Bon Secours, Commonshare, Dalton, and Goochland Pharmacies and many others, ensured and expanded our ability to deliver services. At GoochlandCares we strive to reflect the best of YOU - our unique, compassionate community. At the center of

that community are hundreds of donors and volunteers who share so much of themselves to improve the health and wellbeing of their neighbors. We are grateful and proud to be part of this generous community. Wishing all our neighbors a happy and healthy 2022. Sally K. Graham Executive Director, GoochlandCares

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Thursday

February 3, 2022

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

Camp Woods and Wildlife program returns Contributed Report

Applications are open for Camp Woods and Wildlife, formerly known as Holiday Lake Forestry Camp. The 74th annual camp will be held June 20 to 24 at Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center near Appomattox. This action-packed camp is hosted by the Virginia Department of Forestry, with support and cooperation from other conservation agencies, organizations, businesses and individuals. “Camp Woods and Wildlife is a unique, field-based learning experience that introduces campers to natural resource careers,” said

camp coordinator Ellen Powell. “Our natural classroom is the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest.” Classes cover topics such as wildlife habitat, tree identification, forest ecology, responsible timber harvesting, reforestation, mapping and environmental protection. Campers also take part in exploratory classes, natural resource presentations and a Lumberjack Field Day. Applicants must be Virginia residents 13 to 16 years old with good academic standing, have an interest in natural resources and must not have attended this camp before. Financial sponsorship is generously pro-

vided by forest industries, conservation agencies, associations and individuals. As a result, every camper selected to attend receives a scholarship and pays only $85 to attend the week-long residential camp. Interested students should visit the Camp Woods and Wildlife page on the VDOF website, dof.virginia.gov, for an application. A non-related adult who knows of the student’s interest must complete the nominator section and submit the application by April 15. For more information, contact Ellen Powell at (434) 987-0475 or ellen.powell@dof.virginia. gov.

Environmental scholarships now available for local high school students through MSWCD Contributed report

Are you a high school senior or college freshman interested in a college degree in natural resource conservation and/or environmental protection? Are you seeking financial support for this degree? Have you participated in the Envirothon contest sponsored by your local soil and water conservation district? Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District is promoting 4 scholarship opportunities for those of you who answered yes. Four $1,000 scholarships are awarded statewide each year through the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation District’s (VASWCD) Educational Foundation. The purpose of these scholarships is to give financial support to students

Resolution continued from >6 Year’s resolutions go?” Now I’m sure no one truly outgrows the written lists or mental notes of their resolutions, as the long-practiced tradition cannot simply vanish into thin air. But as I began to talk with my friends about their resolutions, they each gave me a perplexed look followed by, “I didn’t make any.” I’ve come to the conclusion that as I’ve grown older and become much busier, time has begun to quicken its pace. Rather than seeming to stand in distinct phases, moving from month to month and holiday to holiday, I’ve often

majoring in or showing a strong desire to major in a course curriculum related to natural resource conservation and/or environmental studies. Individual applicants must be full-time students enrolled in or who have applied to a college freshman level curriculum. Applicants must also document a class ranking in the top 20% of his or her graduating class or a minimum 3.0 GPA. Participation in the Envirothon contest will be greatly considered in the ranking process. Call the District office for additional details! Monacan District’s education committee can select 1 application to forward to the VASWCD for consideration of 1 of these scholarships. Applicants must be a resident of Goochland or Powhatan county to be eligible for Monacan consideration.

Completed applications must be returned to the Monacan office by 4:30 p.m. April 5, 2022. Applications may be obtained by calling the Monacan SWCD office at (804) 5564936. Email inquiries may be directed to betty.mccracken@vaswcd.org. Completed applications can be mailed to the Monacan SWCD office at PO Box 66, Goochland 23063 or delivered to the office at 2748 Dogtown Road, Goochland. Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District programs are open to all, regardless of race; color; national origin; sex; religion; age; disability; political beliefs; sexual orientation; genetic information; marital, family, or veteran status; or any other basis protected by law.

found myself checking the calendar. “How is it already December?” I remember marveling at how Christmas seemed to creep up around the corner. Now I find myself wondering why I haven’t thought of any resolutions. Perhaps it’s because I no longer sit in an elementary school classroom for hours on end, constantly eyeing the school calendar for when the magic holiday month will appear. Maybe it’s because I don’t have the reminder from my mother to begin writing out my New Year’s resolutions, which I never truly appreciated before. Growing up, my family always had the tradition of writing out our resolutions on pieces of paper and sharing them at the breakfast table on Jan. 1. Before we would proclaim our wishes

for the newest year, we would take turns reading aloud our resolutions from the year before. It was always liberating and rewarding, as we read the hopes of our past selves and came to realize we had fulfilled most of them – almost as if we were glancing at our own personal time capsules. Even if they were as small as getting a good grade in our most difficult class or cutting back on our junk food intake, these tokens of victory allowed us to take a pause and look at the time that had gone by. It allowed us to bravely look ahead, remembering any past uncertainties about life we may have had and how we overcame them. Now I understand the importance of New Year’s resolutions, at least for myself. With

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Program to detail life experiences of Buffalo Soldiers A presentation this Saturday will help bring to life the experience of the famed Buffalo Soldiers, the legendary AfricanAmerican regiments who served during and after the Civil War. The presentation is set to run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Trooper George Grady Sr. will lead the program at Central High School’s Eagle Theater, located at 2748 Dogtown Road. This event is being presented through a partnership between the Goochland NAACP and the county’s Parks and Recreation Department. This program is free and food will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Goochland County Parks and Recreation at (804) 556-5854.

Students continued from >1 the classroom and on the PSAT/NMSQT, the PSAT 10, or AP Exams. Students must also have at least a 3.5-grade point average to be eligible for recognition. Alex Geyer is a senior enrolled in Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School (BRVGS) and the Advance College Academy (ACA) program. Cooper Dewitt is a junior and is enrolled in BRVGS. Brookelyn Green is a junior and participates in both BRVGS and the ACA program.

all the uncertainties that adulthood provides, especially with the looming uncertainty that the pandemic brings, it’s important to take a pause from life and recognize the past resolutions accomplished. Rather than fret over where the busy months have gone, I can instead look ahead at how promisingly linear time truly is. I can instead recognize how, just as time ceases to move backwards, we continue to move forwards and grow as individuals. Even if the first day of the year has already passed, I will sit down and write out my resolutions for the months to come. I look forward to the day that I can glance at my time capsule and wonder, in amazement and satisfaction, “Where did the time go?”

Thursday

February 3, 2022

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

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Bulldogs baseball host Hot Stove By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

While baseball season has yet to start, Goochland baseball was able to put together its first Hot Stove fundraiser to help support the program for the upcoming season. The event is the first of its kind for Goochland, which brought together 16 professional baseball players and coaches on Saturday morning that spoke to the crowd and offered autograph sessions during the event. Seven of the attendees had played for or were hired by an MLB team at some point in their careers. The term “hot stove league” originated from the concept of baseball fans huddling up in front of a hot stove during the cold winter months to talk baseball during the league’s offseason. Goochland head coach Wesley Farkas says that the importance of raising money for the team while also providing a chance for his players to hear words of advice and encouragement from professional athletes were primary factors in setting up the event. With help from parents and his fellow coaches, Farkas was able to plan the Hot Stove in September. The Hot Stove also saw a reunion for a number of former Goochland High School baseball players like Cory Alexander, Tanner Bradshaw, Joe Cutchins and John “Jazz” Hicks. Those players, all of whom have been able to play baseball at a professional level, inspired the current Goochland players in attendance with stories of their time playing at the highest levels of the sport against some of the best players to play

the game. “Even for myself, hearing some of these guys talk that have played for a long time and played against some of the best guys to ever do it I think is really awesome,” said Hicks, who graduated from Goochland in 2008. One of the biggest names to attend the Hot Stove was former MLB All-Star and World Series champion Johnny Grubb. Grubb, who was part of the 1984 Detroit Tigers team that beat the San Diego Padres in five games, is a Richmond native who played at Meadowbrook High School before starting his MLB career. Grubb, and many other speakers, prioritized the importance of using the game not just for a chance at the major leagues, but as an opportunity to pursue their academics even further in college. Hitting coach and former Longwood catcher Doug Toombs also talked about how his career has led to opportunties as an instructor, providing an alternative path for players who want to be around the game as a career. Alexander, who graduated from Goochland in 2015, said opportunities like Goochland’s Hot Stove were crucial for young athletes to understand what it takes to continue playing baseball beyond high school. Now an outfielder for the Saranac Lake Surge of the Empire Professional Baseball League, Alexander believes Farkas is preparing his current group of players for success beyond the high school level. “It’s definitely a great experience being around pro guys and seeing what you can do with this game,” Alexander said. “Coach Farkas helped us

Photos by Robby Fletcher

Above, former Goochland star John “Jazz” Hicks signs autographs at the Goochland Hot Stove on Jan. 29. Left, former MLB player Johnny Grubb talks with fans during an autograph signing. Right, coach Doug Toombs speaks about his experiences as a hitting instructor.

to grow up into better people and better baseball players.” Another aspect of the Hot Stove was a silent auction that was held that offered up autographed baseball bats, jerseys,

baseball history books and much more from local businesses. “I think it’s a great event to raise money for the program, and seeing how many people

came and gave back is pretty special,” Hicks said. With the season fast approaching and the team looking to build off last year, the Bulldogs got an opportuni-

ty to start things off right with a unique fundraising event. Robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com.

Thursday

February 3, 2022

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

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Goochland splits tri-meet on senior night By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

Celebrating senior night by hosting Courtland and Manchester in a tri-meet, Goochland split the matches with a convincing win over Manchester and a close loss to Courtland as they prepare for the upcoming postseason region tournament. After tough losses to Louisa and Orange County on Jan. 19, head coach Jeremy Wampler acknowledged the team’s lateseason slump, but commended his group on a nice bounceback performance on their senior night. “We wrestled tough,” Wampler said. “Right now, we’re facing a bit of adversity. Something happened the last couple of weeks where we lost our rhythm, and to see them hanging in there, I’m proud of that.” Goochland started off slow in the first matchup with Courtland, as the Cougars delivered the first blows with a 22-0 lead. The Cougars had two first-period pins and a 15-2 major decision to kick things off before junior Noah Daniel stopped the bleeding by defeating sophomore Reagan

Reamy with a pin in 96 seconds. That win gave the team momentum, as junior Reese Vincent won an 11-6 decision in a dogfight against senior Taysean Young that left both competitors gassed by the end of it. From there, pins by Riley Hite and Patrick Harlow cut the Cougars lead down to just one as it became a 28-27 game. The comeback attempt ultimately fell just short though, as Courtland was able to respond to the run with a pin and two forfeits to keep the lead for good, 46-30. Despite the result being firmly in the Cougars’ grasp, undefeated senior Alex Rosenbaum ended the match on a high note with a 4-2 win in the 285-pound weight class. When Wampler yelled at Rosenbaum to “play angry,” the senior responded with a strong close to the match. “This was a great opportunity for him,” Wampler said. “This guy wasn’t going to play around, and Alex was never really in that much danger, but he needed to crank it up and try some things and he did.” In the matchup with Manchester, the Bulldogs got some redemption, winning the

Photo by Robby Fletcher

Left, senior Alexander Roseunbaum tries to escape for a quick point against Courtland’s Darius Holcomb in a Goochland-hosted tri-meet on Jan. 27. Rosenbaum won the fight in a 4-2 decision. Right, senior Reese Vincent picks up his opponent in his 11-6 decision victory against Courtland senior Taysean Young.

battle 48-24. Like in the first meet, Goochland went down early in an 18-6 start, but a miraculous pin by freshman Issac Hite rejuvenated the team. After Hite’s pin, senior Grant Heidel celebrated his last

home game with a first-period pin of his own. After three straight forfeits in Goochland’s favor, the Bulldogs were able to celebrate a well-fought win in honor of the seniors that have been

credited with building this team up. “This has been a really cool year as far as seeing what these seniors have been over the last four years,” Wampler said. “This core group helped

us take a huge step.” The Bulldogs wrestle again at Skyline for regionals on Feb. 12. Robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com.

Goochland track and field competes at Bulldog Invitational By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

Goochland’s track and field team had the opportunity to get its athletes competing against some stiff competition on Saturday, Jan. 29 when they traveled up to Liberty University to compete in the Bulldog Invitational. Goochland was joined by 88 other schools at the meet,

which was held at Liberty’s indoor track complex. Goochland had six individual performers during the meet, with two finishing within the top-10 of their respective competitions. While the Bulldogs didn’t take their full roster of athletes to the meet, there was plenty of action from those that were able to compete. The big highlight of the

afternoon for the Bulldogs came from sophomore Jadelyn Taylor, who finished in seventh out of 23 runners in the girls 55-meter hurdles. Taylor finished in 9.59 seconds, while Thomas Dale sophomore Devyn Parham won the competition by finishing in 8.37 seconds. Taylor also competed in the long jump competition alongside teammates Amore

Jackson and Deja Taliaferro. Taylor finished at 13 feet, 10.50 inches in her jump, good for 19th place in the event. Jackson also competed in the 300-meter dash, finishing 42nd with a time of 50 seconds. Another good result for the Bulldogs came from sophomore Derek Pierce in the boys high jump. Out of 12 competitors, Pierce finished sixth, log-

ging a result of 5 feet, 8 inches. Pierce also ran in the 55-meter dash and finished in 23rd place out of 66 runners with a time of 6.97 seconds. Pierce tied three other runners with the exact same time, while Abingdon High School senior Xander Brown pulled away in first place at 6.53 seconds. In the girls 1000-meter dash, sophomore Megan Reid

finished with a commendable time in a 63-person race. Reid finished in 36th place after running the distance in 3 minutes, 40.11 seconds. Her time was an improvement on her previous result at the Fred Hardy Invitational on Jan. 25, when she finished in 11th place with a 3:44.96 time. Robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com.

Thursday

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Since 1955