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

INSIDE Goochland history: Years ago, local spot served up legendary food. > page 2 Volume 66 Number 9 • March 3, 2022

Proposed county budget maintains focus on public safety, avoids increasing tax rate By Roslyn Ryan Editor

ALVAREZ

Goochland County Interim Administrator Manuel Alvarez Jr. presented the county’s proposed fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget to Goochland supervisors on Feb. 22, laying out a plan that would continue to place a high priority on both public safety and edu-

cation while keeping compensation for county employees as competitive as possible. Alvarez opened his presentation with a brief assessment of Goochland’s current economy, noting that over $425 million has been invested in commercial development in the county. Unemployment remains lower than the state average at 2.2% Alvarez noted, and the county boasts the highest paying jobs on average in the region. Building permits and commercial permits continue to skyrocket, and the median home value in Goochland is now the highest in the

region at $427,000 per home, an increase of around $26,000. The proposed budget takes into account keeping the tax rate at 53 cents, which remains the lowest in the region. “I think this highlights our commitments to operating within our means and adhering to our conservative values,” Alvarez said, noting that those tasked with creating the county’s spending plan continue to seek efficiencies wherever possible. see Budget > page 4

Resident’s passion? Capturing nature’s fury

Photo by Dominique Turner

After developing an interest in storm chasing, Dominique Turner has spent the past several years photographing incredible weather events like this storm outside of Plainview, Texas. For more of Turner’s work, see page 15.

For runner, race is about helping kids heal after loss By Roslyn Ryan Editor

When Mariah Leonard crosses the finish line of the New York City Half Marathon on March 20, she’ll be thinking of the hundreds of young people she’s met while volunteering with Comfort Zone Camp, a program for children who are grieving the loss of a loved one. It is those kids, after all, who inspired Leonard to lace up her shoes and set her sights on the Big Apple. Leonard has served for over a year now as a recreation coordinator for Goochland County Parks and Recreation, a role she loves. But she also admits few things can compare to the joy she has found as a volunteer with Comfort Zone, which offers camps in Virginia, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey and North LEONARD Carolina and has welcomed young people from all 50 states and beyond. The program is available to children age 7-17, as well as young adults between the ages of 18-25, who have suffered the death of a parent, sibling, guardian or other significant person. The camp includes plenty of traditional activities like playing games and hiking, but there is also time to reflect and to grieve. “Words cannot describe the experience,” said Leonard, who has been volunteering with the program since she was 15 years old see Leonard > page 3

Thursday

March 3, 2022

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Goochland History Revealed SPORTS “Your Home is My Business” P.O. Box 67 Powhatan, VA 23139 bruce@thehousegeek.com www.thehousegeek.com

Bruce Blackwell State Licensed Home Inspector #3380000220 NRS

(804) 921-8367

3315 Three Chopt Rd, Gum Spring, VA 23065 ing d n Pe

Cadets stand out at Prep Nationals PAGE 7

For Sale $225,000 20 minutes to Short Pump / Wegman’s 5 minutes to Goochland Courthouse Amenities 1250 Sq Ft Open Living Area to Dining and Kitchen / 3 Bedrooms / 2 Baths / Wood Floors / Brick Fireplace / 2 Storage Sheds / 1.5 Acres

Debra Hoffman, Associate Broker

OFFICE: 347-3878 debra.hoffman@penfedrealty.com

Elrod & Dunham

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 Earl Tilman

For decades, North Pole was a local favorite This is the North Pole in Crozier in the early 1940s. Parked in front of the building is a 1940 Chevrolet Coupe. The North Pole opened in 1924 and was known for serving the best homemade pies and sandwiches for miles around. It was a lunch shop until 1979, when it turned into a well-known dinner destination. It is now the home of a pidgeon-racing social club owned by the Richmond Concourse Association of Pidgeon Fanciers.

Property Transfers 1.33 acres; Carolyn S. Carter to Cameron Carter, $150,000. 10.24 acres; MidAtlantic IRA LLC to Boone Homes Inc., $525,000. 11.11 acres; Gary Bruce Powers to Trek Properties LLC, $399,000. 16.974 acres; John Randolph Amos to Habib Smajlagic, $505,000. 18 acres; Riverstone Real Estate LLC to Bristol Oak Hill Partners LLC, $9,380,000. 19.96 acres; Celia A. Rafalko to Sheri Ruddy, $998,000. 2.49 acres; Dawn Renee Rudolph to Angela Ross, $250,000. 2.87 acres; Frederick

Bryan Stuck Jr. to Matthew Joel Hopkins, $449,000. 20 acres; Christian S. Redfern to Andrew E. Cleveland, $280,000. 20.16 acres; Gilda J. Jones, trustee to Kathryn C. Everson, $662,150. 3 acres; GCJ Holdings LLC to Blue Ridge Custom Homes LLC, $155,000. 3 acres; Felice Matthews, devisee to Nathan E. Carter, $249,995. 5.191 acres; Michael Graves, trustee to HF Landholdings LLC, $785,000. 7 lots, Readers Branch; Readers Branch Partners LLC to Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC, $875,000. 70.18 acres; Rockville Back Parcel LLC to Luck

Stone Corp., $1,445,000. 1311 Autumn Breeze Drive, Oilville; William H. Seager to Steven Seaberg, $560,000. 12303 Beech Hall Circle, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Gwendolyn Faye Reid, $599,527. 12332 Beech Hall Circle, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Esther Gatuma, $523,631. 12312 Beech Hall St., Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Umakanth Pandurangaiah, $675,870. 2318 Bexley Wood Run, Goochland; Bhagwan S. Jiandani to Teashayl M. Jefferson, $340,000.

Calendar ................................ 4 Classifieds ......................13-14 Obituaries .............................. 4 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 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

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

March 3, 2022

Pet of the week

Photos submitted by the Goochland Animal Shelter

Leonard continued from >1 and even recruited her husband Chris, a volunteer firefighter with Goochland’s Company 5, to get involved. “You get to see these kids laughing with other kids who are just like them,” said Leonard. “You really can’t compare it to anything else.” In order to help support the program, Leonard has created a GoFundMe page with the goal of raising $1,200. She’ll be running the half marathon as a representative of Comfort Zone. “I run the NYC Half Marathon for every camp buddy I have held as they cried, for every friend who has grieved a loss, for everyone who has shared their story, and for those whose stories have yet to be told,” Leonard wrote on her fundraising page. “I run the NYC Half Marathon because I have witnessed the lives being changed by

Comfort Zone Camp including my own.” Leonard said the funds raised will help train volunteers, purchase supplies, and ensure that campers are able to attend the Comfort Zone events free of charge. At the end of the day, she said, even the smallest donation can help make a world of difference for grieving children. While some may wonder about the eventual emotional toll of working with children who have suffered so much loss, Leonard insisted her experience has been quite the opposite. Yes there are plenty of tears, she said, but also so much hope. “It’s the inspiration and love that comes out of those weekends,” she said. “It just outshines everything else.” For more information on Leonard’s fundraiser, visit her GoFundMe page by searching “Running NYC for Comfort Zone Camp.”

Since 1955

Local Junior 4-H Camp registration is now open Contributed report

Gizmo is a gentle older beagle looking for his forever home. He’s super friendly and enjoys meeting new people and going on walks with our volunteers. He’s good with other dogs however would be best in a dog only home. Gizmo is neutered and up to date on vetting. The Goochland Animal Shelter, located at 1900 Hidden Rock Lane in Goochland, is open 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. For more information on local pets 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.” Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to the shelter is asked to make donations payable to Goochland Animal Protection.

Serving Goochland County

Goochland County Jr. 4-H Camp sponsors a fun-filled, week-long residential summer camp each year. Under the guidance of caring, trained, professional staff and local teen counselors, youth between the ages of 9-13 years will laugh, grow and learn through a variety of wonderful activities. From riflery to marine science, canoeing to archery, we offer exciting and educational hands-on activities for campers in a socially-positive environment. Campers also learn life skills such as independence, responsibility, and sharing. Goochland 4-H Junior Camp will operate close to capacity this year during the week of July 4-8, 2022 at Jamestown 4-H Center in Williamsburg. Registration for all campers opened on March

2. Camp scholarships are also available. Camp applications will only be accepted through the website portal. Email the Goochland Extension Office at caylaks98@vt.edu for a direct link to the 4-H Camp registration site. Spots are given on a first come, first serve basis and are reserved for Goochland County residents. Camp fees will cover lodging, meals, class supplies, and daily snacks. Transportation for campers will not be provided this year.

There are limited spaces available and slots will fill quickly. Jamestown 4-H Camp is situated on 16 wooded and open acres, located outside of Williamsburg along the banks of the James River. The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association, so you can rest assured that your child will have a safe and quality camping experience with 4-H. For additional information, contact Cayla Walker, Goochland County 4-H Agent, at caylaks98@vt.edu or (804)556-5873.

THE SHRINE OF THE BLACK MADONNA SANCTUARY

BOOK OF THE MONTH The Africa Origin of Civilization By Cheikh Anta Diop

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 At the corner of Broad St. and Hockett Rd

Photo courtesy of Mariah Leonard

Mariah Leonard, here with her husband Chris, has competed in numerous racing events over the past several years. She is planning to run in the New York City Half Marathon on March 20.

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

Thursday

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

March 3, 2022

Delivery will be:

Tuesday, March 15 Montpelier 1:00-1:45 @Montpelier Feed & Seed Goochland 4:15-5:00 @Southern States LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

FISHWAGON To Place an Order Call

1-800-643-8439

www.fishwagon.com

DAVID W. BRANCH David “Bo Dean” Wayne Branch, of Goochland, Virginia, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, February 20, 2022 due to complications from pneumonia. He was preceded in death by his BRANCH

father, Walter “Johnny” Leslie Branch; sister-in-law, Cindy Branch; and many other relatives and loved ones he held close to his heart. He is survived by his mother, Anne Iseman Branch; brother, Walter L. “W.L.” Branch Jr.; children, Mark D. “Dana” Harlow (Chrissy), Heather Munoz-Gleason (Cliff), David “D.J.” Wayne Branch Jr. and Amy Emma Anne Almond (Trevor); grandchildren, Brandon, Kain, Cruz,

Advertise In The Gazette! Call 804-746-1235

GOOCHLAND SELF-STORAGE

Clean Storage Facilities at a Convenient Location • 6 sizes available • From $59 a month • On call 7 days a week • Conditioned units available

Oilville Business Park • 784-4949 Located at Oilville exit on Rt. 617

www.goochlandselfstorage.com

Our

Second Century — Established 1897 — Charles D. Morehead, President and General Manager

Bennett West • Henrico 11020 West Broad Street

Henrico’s families have trusted Bennett Funeral Homes in their time of need for an entire century.

359-4481 • www.bennettfuneralhomes.com

Kaylin, Lilli Anne, John Wayne, Koen and Dawson; as well as his nephews and many cousins. David was born on September 18, 1963, graduated from Goochland High School in 1981 and dedicated 35 years to Blithewood Manor Farm. He always went beyond expectations for his children and was the greatest man we ever knew. He could make anyone laugh and lit up every room with his bright personal-

ity and infectious laugh. He enjoyed hunting, pitching horseshoes, spending time with those he loved and making people laugh. He is already incredibly missed. Instead of a formal funeral, Bo Dean wanted a visitation, which was held on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022 at Norman Funeral Chapel in Goochland, Va. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Goochland Christian Fellowship or Salem Christian School.

Library Calendar Friday, March 11 Friday Book Group at the Goochland Branch Library from 11 a.m. - noon. Registration required at https:// pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Saturday, March 12

81827-01

Since 1955

Obituary

FISH DAY!

IT’S TIME TO STOCK YOUR POND!

Serving Goochland County

Starting from Seeds from 11 a.m. - noon. Selecting, collecting, preserving and preparing seeds before planting them and watching the magic of germination. Presented by Pat Lust, Master Gardener, Goochland Powhatan Master Gardener

Budget continued from >1 As presented, the county’s proposed All Funds Budget totals $123.9 million for FY 2023. The proposal represents a $17.7 million, or 12.5%, decrease from the FY 2022 budget and would begin on July 1. The County General Fund budget of $74.2 million represents a $8.7 million, or 13.2%, increase from the current year. Priorities for the presented budget include investments in education of $25.5 million, a 4.1% increase over the prior

Association. Registration is required at https://pamunk e y l i b r a r y. l i b c a l . c o m / event/8790526. This program is hosted virtually through Zoom and the meeting link will be sent to the email registered 1 day before the event occurs. If you don’t receive your reminder email on Friday, March 11, please contact the library. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

a.m. Registration required at Monday, March 28 https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. Flower Pot Decorating precom. Call (804) 556-4774 or mieres for ages 12-18. Are you visit the library at 3075 River a new plant parent? Start decRoad West for more informaorating your pots. Learn fun tion. and decorative ways to dress up an ordinary pot to elevate Boomer Yoga at the your houseplants and create Cochrane Rockville Branch unique decor! This video preLibrary from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. mieres on the library’s website Ages 12 & up. Join us for an (https://tinyurl.com/prlteens), easy beginner yoga session suitYouTube channel (https://www. able for all ages (12 and older) youtube.com/user/pamunkeyand skill levels. No previous library), and Facebook page yoga experience needed. The (https://www.facebook.com/ instructor will provide all equipTuesday, March 22 PamunkeyLibrary/). Call (804) ment. Registration required at Goochland Mystery Book https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. 749-3146 or visit the library at Group at the Goochland com/event/8684634. Call (804) 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information. Branch Library from 10 – 11 749-3146 or visit the li

year (not including capital improvements). The budget for public safety grew by $3.1 million, or 19%, over the current fiscal year. The budget features additional investments in employees and builds upon the recent 12% pay increases for uniformed public safety employees and $3,000 bonuses for all county employees in the current fiscal year. It also includes a 3% pay increase for all employees. As Alvarez noted, 2022 marks the fifth year of developing a 25-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to meet the capital needs of

the county and schools. The FY 2023 – FY 2047 CIP contains $505.5 million for forecasted projects, including two new elementary schools, a new courthouse, and new fire stations. The first year of the CIP for FY 2023 is $16.5 million and includes investments in a new fire ladder truck, Goochland High School HVAC replacement, and a new West Creek Fire Station. The board’s consideration of the FY 2023 budget continues March 1 and March 8 starting at 2 p.m., along with a CIP Work Session on Tuesday, March 15 starting at 2 p.m. The county and Goochland

County Public Schools will also hold three joint town hall meetings during the month of March, including one on March 10 in eastern Goochland (Districts 4 and 5), one on March 22 in central Goochland (Districts 2 and 3), and one on March 31 in western Goochland (District 1). All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and offer options to participate in person or via Zoom. The public hearing on the budget and tax rates will be held on April 5 starting at 6 p.m. Adoption of the budget and tax rates is scheduled for 4 p.m. on April 19. All meetings are open to the public.

Thursday

March 3, 2022

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Kitchens/Baths Patios/Decks New Construction Doors/Windows Sidewalks/Pavers Remodels/Additions

Greg 804-457-9426 20 YearsBlanchard Carpentry Experience VA Lic. 27505-093745-A

Blanchard & Associates 804-457-9426 Greg VA Lic. 27505-093745-A 20 YearsBlanchard Carpentry Experience Residential Contractor, Inc.

Goochland Community Theatre presents

Contributed photo

Members of the 23rd class of Goochland Leadership Enterprise (GLE) recently visited the General Assembly, where they met with lawmakers and were introduced as part of the House session’s opening introductions.

Goochland Leadership Enterprise class visits General Assembly, meets with representatives Contributed report

On Presidents Day, Feb. 21, members of the 23rd class of Goochland Leadership Enterprise (GLE) visited the General Assembly, where the first item on the schedule was a guided tour of the Capital. The group’s guide provided significant historical events, the history of the Capital locations, (Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Richmond) and information on the building’s original design and later changes and modifications. The guide also explained how the recent

modifications resulted in the addition of Senate and House hearing rooms, a sales area, a café, and lunch seating, all under the Capital front lawns and steps. After the tour, while the 23rd Class gathered under Washington’s statue for a group picture, Governor Glenn Youngkin stopped and spoke with the group, shook hands, and asked about the group’s visit. Later, the group met with Goochland’s state Senator, Mark Peake and state Delegates

John McGuire and Lee Ware. the Class as part of the House Each representative provided Ssssion’s opening introductions. background information about themselves, potential impacts of the upcoming redistricting, and the overall makeup of both the Senate and House. During these discussions, Goochland’s representatives reviewed legislation of specific interest to Goochland and to the state in general and their roles in the legislative process. The 23rd Class returned to the Capital for seating in the House Visitors’ Gallery, where Delegate McGuire introduced

MARCH 11TH @ 7 PM MARCH 12TH @ 8 PM MARCH 13TH @ 2 PM

Purchase tickets online at gvatheatre.org or at the door. Follow Goochland Community Theatre on Facebook! Goochland Community Theatre is a 501c3 non-profit organization.

H G U O , N E RE! A BIG SERVTE C O TO GH NOU

L SMA

E N A OP

235 3 4 ) 55 (804

Parrish to speak on ‘Downton’ era homes Contributed report Fans of both history and architecture are invited to visit the Grace Church Parish House (2955 River Road, West, Goochland) at 1 p.m. on March 12, for an afternoon with author

Nancy C. Parrish. Parrish will be presenting an illustrated talk on the “Americans’ Fascination with English Country Houses and Their Inhabitants.” A reception will be held immediately after the presenta-

tion, with refreshments and hot tea. Parrish will sign copies of her book “The Downton Era: Great Houses, Churchills, and Mitfords.” Grace Church Parish House requires masks for all attendees.

Have an idea for a story? Send your community news tips to Roslyn Ryan at rryan@goochlandgazette.com.

Special Offer!

$25 OFF YOUR FIRST PROPANE DELIVERY* CHECK OUT ANY ONE OF OUR 1000s OF ONLINE REVIEWS! CONNECT:

* Minimum of 150 gallons; Not valid with any other offer or on previous purchases.

VISIT:

WWW.ASKWOODFIN.COM/propane

Thursday

March 3, 2022

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

For communities, as in life, planning is key happens”—that effort, and history itself, would have almost certainly played out quite differently. The same reliance on planning, of course, is critical when it comes to mapping out how a community will look and feel, and how to avoid winding up with the kinds of issues that often plague localities that don’t create a roadmap for the future. Overcrowding, traffic issues and crippling infrastructure pressures are just a few of the problems that can often be dodged when an emphasis is placed on forethought and thoughtful, managed development. As no Goochland resident likely needs to be told, the county con-

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

When it comes right down to it, most successes and failures in life are linked to one thing: planning. “Failing to plan is planning to fail,” a wise person once said, and most of us can easily pull up plenty of examples to underscore that point. From professional athletes to famed generals, good planning is the one thing that often seems to set the most successful people apart. Had Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower approached the D-Day invasion the way I do a trip the grocery store—“let’s just go in and see what

tinues to face significant development pressures in many locations, but the two most critical at this juncture are the Centerville Village and the Courthouse. And while the two areas are somewhat different in terms of how they are growing—more large-scale commercial development in Centerville versus a focus on residential growth in the Courthouse—one thing is for certain: failure to plan now will almost certainly lead to significant headaches in the future. Fortunately, the county’s leadership has recognized that community feedback should—and does—play a critical role in creating a solid plan for future

development and is continuing to solicit that feedback from residents. Recent presentations on the futures of both the Centerville and Courthouse Villages are available on the county’s website at https://www.goochlandva.us/1201/ Goochland-County-VillagePlans-2022 , and the administration continues to solicit comments on those plans. As so many residents will attest, Goochland County remains a place where unchecked development has not elbowed out charm and character. With a little extra planning and community participation now, that can certainly be the case for years to come.

Hobbies a key ingredient in healthy, happy life By Christina Amano Dolan Editor Staying true to one of my New Year’s resolutions, I have recently re-adopted one of my favorite, yet sadly abandoned, hobbies: cooking. It may seem like a small milestone, as many people I know cook every meal as part of their daily routine. But I must admit to becoming too accustomed to living in a city, surrounded by an endless assortment of takeout restaurants and the ease of

ordering a meal through delivery services on my phone. Apps such as Grubhub and DoorDash have made it far too easy to swiftly pick a meal without taking much of a pause and continue about my busy day. But as I began to notice my shrinking list of hobbies, along with a worrisome dent in my wallet, I started to miss the days that had time carved out for cooking. Almost as if a kid in a candy store, I would excitedly wander around the grocery store for ingredients

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

for the week, oftentimes following new recipes that I had found online or impulsively collecting items to create my own concoction. Of course, any grocery store deals or discounts that were available would typically fuel sudden inspiration, which tended to make the exploration all the more enjoyable. But as I shuffled about my busy days in college and worked lengthy hours on my feet in a restaurant, I would abandon this hobby out of what felt like necessity. With

only so much free time left in the day, lengthy grocery store trips and cooking meals from scratch seemed too trivial in comparison to a long list of everyday tasks. But as I have assumed a busier schedule, I began to miss the time I would carve out of my day to simply create something new outside of my everyday tasks. I recall the days in high school when I would come home from my bustling school day and see Hobbies > page 15

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 © 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.

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Olympics offered an unexpected gem for the uninspired By Jim Ridolphi Contributing columnist

The grades are out for the recently completed 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, and it appears most Americans paid little to no attention to the international competitions. NBC announced that ratings for the games were down 40% from the most recent winter games in South Korea four years ago, and some traditional events with loyal viewers achieved lower marks than expected. Industry experts listed a number of reasons for the lukewarm reception that included continuing concerns regarding the pandemic that resulted in small crowds for all events and China’s current relationship with the United States that highlights political differences. For many Americans, viewing the winter games is a tradition that evokes memories of snow covered mountains and small villages filled with athletes from around the world. In our house, the Alpine events always garnered the most attention, and, as youths we sat around the television and marveled at the achievements of skiers from across the globe as they plowed through powdery snow and what appeared to be a winter wonderland. I had that same type of anticipation as I attempted to follow the Alpine events at this year’s games, but something seemed apparently different as I tuned in to the first event. The snow was manufactured and the surrounding mountains were bare due to the lack of significant snowfalls. For the first time in my Olympic viewing memory, and despite my see Olympics > page 11

Thursday

March 3, 2022

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

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Cadets stand out at Prep Nationals By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

On Feb. 18, Benedictine’s wrestling team left the 2022 VISAA State Tournament with four state champs and an overall second place finish. A week later, those four champs took their talents on the mat to the next level at the 86th Annual National Prep Wrestling Championships. The tournament was held at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD. At the tournament, 113pound freshman Lane Foard, 120-pound sophomore Brycen Arbogast, 132-pound senior Dyson Dunham and 160-pound senior Zane Cox all entered as state champions and left as Prep National All-Americans by placing within the top-8 of their respective weight class brackets. Benedictine also had 138-pound junior Brady Bollander, 152-pound sophomore Christian Ferrell and 285-pound senior Stanislaw Schoenborn competing at the tournament. The team finished with 56.5 total points in the tournament, good for 16th place. Wyoming Seminary won the tournament outright with 346.5 points after having four first-place finishers. Cox’ final appearance in the tournament was particularly special, as his fourth place finish was not only the best among his Benedictine teammates, but also placed him on a tier of his very own in Benedictine wrestling history as the first ever four-time Prep National All-American. Cox was in close contests all throughout the tournament, with one 2-1 decision loss to Dominic Federici of Wyoming Seminary in the

Contributed Photos

Above, senior Dyson Dunham celebrates a win over Belmont Hill’s Freddy Pimental that helped solidify a top-5 placing at the National Prep Wrestling Championships on Feb. 25. Bottom left, senior Zane Cox holds onto Lake Highland Prep’s Joshua Boykin. Bottom right, freshman Lane Foard looks for a takedown en route to his seventh place finish in the 113-pound competition.

semifinals being what pushed Cox to fourth place. Despite a tough loss, it was an outstanding day of wrestling for the 160-pounder, who opened the tournament with three

straight wins. He first shut out Archbishop Spaulding wrestler Drew Salazar 7-0 with three takedowns. Then, he beat St. Benedict’s Prep’s Jarazell Bull in a thrill-

ing 11-7 decision that saw Cox score six points in the third period to solidify the win. In his quarterfinals matchup against Lake Highland Prep’s Joshua Boykin, Cox tied

things up late in the third with an escape before winning in overtime with a massive takedown where he countered a long lunge and tossed Boykin to the ground. The tourna-

ment was yet another highlight in a wrestling career full of them for Cox. The next best finish was from fellow senior Dunham, who earned a fifth place finish and second All-American honor. Dunham lost his opening matchup in a 9-6 decision, then proceeded to dominate the consolation bracket, winning six straight matches. His first win appeared to be a direct response to his tough loss, and the motivated Dunham dominated William Penn Charter’s Greyson CatlowSidler in a 17-0 beatdown. After beating Baylor School’s Nate Askew in a 5-0 decision, a forfeit in the fifth place game capped off a terrific showing for the Cadets star. Arbogast also earned his second All-American bid with an eighth place finish. He opened up his day with a 43-second pin against Merlin Dilone from St. Benedict’s Prep, and then earned a 10-0 major decision over The Hill School’s Robert Pavlek that started off with an early first period three-point near fall. After an opening round bye, Foard won his first match with a 9-1 decision led by three takedowns over Andrew Pimental of Belmont Hill. He met Pimental again in the seventh place game and fared even better, leading 12-0 before finishing with a win by fall in 4:32. Foard earned two three-point near falls before ending the match for good just before the end of the third period. Competing in the tournament wraps up another stellar season for head coach David Yost and his Cadet wrestlers. Robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com.

Thursday

March 3, 2022

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

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Gators, Cadets prepare for VISAA tourney By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

It’s been a thrilling year for Saint Gertrude and Benedictine basketball fans, who have seen their respective teams step up and show out on multiple occasions. Both sporting collegeready star talent, these two well-respected programs have put their competition on notice as they wrapped up their regular seasons and look ahead to the VISAA State Basketball Tournament. The Gators, sitting at 21-6 and ranked No. 4 in the VISAA state poll on Feb. 22, earned a bye week to start the state tourney that already placed them in the quarterfinals. They’ll hope to defend their 2021 state title that came just over a year ago when they dominated the Catholic Crusaders by 20 points for their first state title since 1975. They’ll also have a chip on their shoulder after placing as the runner-up in the LIS Conference Tournament. Saint Gertrude won the opener over St. Catherine’s in a 68-44 win that was headlined by a monster performance by junior Erin Woodson, who had 25 points, seven rebounds, four assists and five steals in an all-around performance. In the final, the Gators fell in the conference championship to the 18-1 St. Anne’s Belfield Saints, 81-52. The loss was the Gators’ biggest of the season. Still, there was plenty for the Gators to feel good about, as Woodson, senior Kate Samson and junior Sam Smith were named to the all-conference team after the tournament, making it the highest number of honorees in a

single season in over 10 years. Saint Gertrude has a chance to meet St. Anne’s Belfield again if they both make it to the state championship on Saturday, March 5. Though the Saints had the clear advantage the first time around, Saint Gertrude’s talented roster should come back ready for the challenge if they can make it to the final. To make a deep tournament run, they’ll need the ever-consistent Woodson to continue making the type of impact that’s been a key reason for their success this season. The star guard that’s committed to playing at Purdue Fort Wayne leads the team in scoring and steals this season with 21.6 points per game and 3.8 steals, and is also second in rebounding behind Samson with 7.7 rebounds per game. Samson is also an important name to keep an eye on, as she looks to become a champion once again in her final ride in a Gators uniform. In her final season, the 6-foot-4-inch center has been an elite rim protector and board crasher, swatting away an average of 3.1 blocks per game while grabbing 8.7 rebounds. As for the Cadets, the 20-4 team that’s ranked No. 6 is riding a five-game win streak into the state tournament, with their first matchup coming against the 18-10 Woodberry Forest Tigers, a team that the Cadets have split a two-game series with this season. The Cadets won the first matchup by three thanks to senior Jaden Daughtry’s 26 points, but his 24-point performance wasn’t enough in the second matchup that the Tigers won by six on Jan. 18. Daughtry has been the

Photo by Shaban Athuman

Above, Saint Gertrude player Erin Woodson (4) dribbles the ball past Collegiate player Ellie Smith (14) during a girls basketball game on Dec 10, 2021, at Collegiate School in Richmond. The Gators won the matchup 68-26. Right, Benedictine’s star forward Jaden Daughtry picks up steam and drives to the baseline with a defender in his face in the Cadets’ 57-51 loss to Woodberry Forest on Jan. 18 at McMurtrie-Reynolds Pavilion. Photo by Nick Cooley

team’s biggest scoring threat this season, and his physicality in the paint and smooth jumper need to be on full display for the Cadets to have a shot at the state title. The Cadet’s secondary scoring outside of its star players will also be a storyline worth keeping an eye on.

While Daughtry and junior guard Davin Cosby lead the team in scoring with averages of 23.6 and 22.8 points per game, the third best scorer is guard Michael “M.J.” Winstead with eight. Guys like Winstead, junior Joshua Hughes and senior Colin Cury will all be players to watch that

could provide scoring impact for the Cadets that forces teams to help off of Daughtry and Cosby. In their five-game winning streak, Winstead’s averaged 5.4 points with a high of 11 points against Collegiate on Feb. 8 in a game Benedictine won 69-62. For these two teams that

have consistently provided its fans with high-level basketball over the course of the season, the chance to present themselves as the best teams in the state should make for some exciting basketball. Robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com.

Thursday

THURSDAY EVENING 4 PM 4:30 5 PM ESPN

(4)

C NFL Live (N) Å

NBCSW

(7)

E (2:00) Trackside Live! (N) (Live)

8-ABC

(8)

( Dr. Phil ’ Å

8 News

6-CBS

(9)

& CBS6 News at 4:00p (N)

35-FOX

(11) . Nick Cannon (N) Å

12-NBC

(12) , 12 News First at 4PM

65-CW

(13) 4 Hot Bench

Hot Bench

Serving Goochland County

TV LISTINGS: Find Local TV Shows and Movie Schedules

March 3, 2022

Since 1955