The Goochland Gazette – 10/20/2022

Woodson honored by church family upon retirement

Fauquier Baptist pastor marked the evening by giving electrifying sermon

By Jeffery Mabry Contributing Writer

Fauquier Baptist Church recently celebrated the retirement of its long-time pastor, Rev. Dr. Melvin A. Woodson, Sr.

The celebration started on Saturday, Sept. 24 with a banquet at Quioccasin Baptist Church in Henrico County and concluded the next day at Fauquier Baptist Church on Dogtown Road in Goochland, where the 84-year-old preached his last sermon as the Church’s Pastor. This particular weekend in September was especially meaningful because it was on that Friday night 45 years earlier the beloved Pastor preached his very first sermon at the Emmaus Baptist Church on Sandy Hook Road. It would seem fitting that he would preach his last sermon as Pastor the same weekend. And preach, he did. Without holding back, he electrified the audience with a lively sermon from Psalm 100. With the energy and enthusiasm he showed, one would have thought the younger preacher from 45 years ago had

Longtime Goochland pastor celebrated by church family

Showing off that Bulldog pride

GHS principal Collier leaving for Spotsylvania post

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

With the resignation of Goochland High School principal Chris Collier, Goochland County School leaders have begun the search for a new top administrator for the county’s only public high school.

At their monthly meeting on Oct. 11, GCPS superintendent Jeremy Raley announced that

Collier, who has served as the GHS principal since 2016, has been appointed the new director of human resources for Spotsylvania Public Schools. He will begin his new role effective Nov. 1.

Collier has proved to be “an extremely strong leader” during his time in Goochland, Raley told the board, and has “built a strong faculty that has

COLLIER WRIGHT

Photo courtesy of Goochland County Public Schools

Goochland High School’s Class of 2026 made thier voices heard during the annual GHS Homecomng parade on Oct. 14, showing thier school spirit ahead of the Bulldogs match-up with Monticello. For more on the game, in which Goochland prevailed in stunning fashion, see page 9.

Principal

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begin his new role effective Nov. 1.

Collier has proved to be “an extremely strong leader” during his time in Goochland, Raley told the board, and has “built a strong faculty that has done amazing things for our students.”

Raley also noted that Collier has lead GHS to full accreditation each year he has served, as well as a nearly 98% graduation rate, and earned numerous state and national recognitions, including recognition as an

Apple Distinguished School. In addition to the approval of Collier’s resignation, the Goochland County School Board also approved the appointment of Michael Wright as interim principal of Goochland High School effective Oct. 27.

Wright retired in 2019 after a career as a teacher, principal, and coach in several divisions including Goochland, Henrico, and Prince William County Public Schools.

“He has roots in Goochland County,” Raley said, “and he knows what it takes to be a Bulldog.”

Goochland History Revealed

Clark family made home on Manakin Road

This

Recent Property Transfers

19.748 acres; Alvis Properties LLC to ME PV4 LLC, $1,550,000.

3.922 acres; Kenneth W. Fleming to Yellowstone Communities LLC, $275,000.

66.36 acres; Patrick B. Kalan, succesor trustee to William G. Martin, $685,000.

12280 N Crossing Drive, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Stephen W. Churchill, $616,776.

13006 Fresco Court, Richmond; Schell Brothers Richmond LLC to Patrick F. Kroon, $624,954.

629 Longfield Road, Manakin Sabot; John M. Atkinson to John-Lawrence Lestourgeon Smith, $877,000.

Lot 1A, Deer Keep; Kevin P. Tully to Mack Drake,

$390,000.

Lot 7, Section 4, Breeze Hill; Krickovic and Ziegler LLC to Michael Pyo, $165,000.

5432 Old Columbia Road, Goochland; New Ventures Real Estate LLC to Timothy E. Merchent, $313,000.

2843 Preston Park Drive, Sandy Hook; Emerald Custom Homes LLC to Gary R. Rowley Jr., $438,480.

12366 S Readers Drive, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Anne F. Gessner, $629,000.

3663 W Rocketts Ridge Road, Sandy Hook; Vertical Builders LLC to Roy Thomas Mills Jr., $485,883.

4830 St. Pauls Church Road, Goochland; Nathaniel

Jacob Earnest to Timothy David Crowl, $225,000.

1705 Windingridge Drive, Henrico; Charles Afton Johnson to James C. Southern, $1,500,000.

2730 Maidens Loop, Maidens; Maidens Loop on the James LLC to Cognito Moto LLC, $250,000.

2738 Poorhouse Road, Goochland; Carter Home Builders LLC to Justin Cochrum, $365,996.

12361 S Readers Drive, Manakin Sabot; Eagle Construction of Virginia LLC to Scott S. Linham, $651,654.

3660 W Rocketts Ridge Road, Sandy Hook; Vertical Builders LLC to John Kendall Dreyer, $480,905.

61 E Square Lane, Richmond; Willem M. Vet to Natalia J. Vet, $839,000.

Photograph courtesy of Margaret Walker

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Pet of the week

Miller is the very definition of a cat. He is lap crazy! One of our volunteers was stuck in a visitation room for an hour while Miller confiscated their lap.

Miller is about 9 weeks old, up to date on his age appropriate vaccinations, is tested and chipped. If you are looking for the purrfect lap guardian or snuggle pal we can think of no better option than the adoption of Miller!

The Goochland Animal

Shelter, located at 1900 Hidden Rock Lane in Goochland, has many pets available to a good home. For more information on these pets, call (804) 5565302. The shelter’s hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. -2 p.m.

Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to the shelter is asked to make donations payable to Goochland Pet Lovers.

Photo by Sidney Warren

Sports Complex lot will close for roundabout work

Contributed report

The Goochland Sports Complex lower parking lot will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 19 and Thursday, Oct. 20 for work related to the Fairground Road Intersection Roundabout project. Contractors will be completing utility work related to the project, and the work is expected to be completed and

the lot reopened by Friday.

The community is urged to use caution and pay attention to revised markings and signage when approaching the Fairground Road (Route 632) and Sandy Hook Road (Route 522) intersection during the project. Once completed, the project will include a single-lane roundabout with

additional turn lanes and sidewalks to improve user safety. Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) expected completion date for the project is Fall of 2023.

Residents are urged to stay informed of road closures and impacts in the area by following www.goochlandva.us and the County’s social media

Habitat for Humanity seeking families

Contributed report

Habitat for Humanity of Goochland County is now accepting applications for the two homes they are building in 2023. Construction on these homes begins this winter.

All of the following qualifications must be met before the family selection committee can begin to work with a prospective family:

Applicants must earn a

minimum of $25,000 annually.

They must have good credit.

They must have a need for safe and affordable housing.

They must live or work in Goochland County.

They must sign and complete a USDA release form and email it to habitatgoochland@ gmail.com

Once the signed USDA

release form is received, the family selection chair will contact applicants to discuss their housing situation. The USDA release forms can be picked up at 2948 River Road W., downloaded from the goochlandhabitat.org website, or requested by emailing habitatgoochland@gmail.com. For more information regarding this process, call (804) 7503125.

Sheriff’s Office to host drug take-back event

On Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 23rd opportunity in 11 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of

potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Area residents are encouraged to bring pills for disposal to Co. 1 Fire/Rescue at 180 River Rd. W. ManakinSabot, VA 23103 and Co. 5 Fire/ Rescue at 2710 Fairground Rd.

Goochland, VA 23063. The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked. For more information, contact Goochland Sheriff’s Office at (804) 556-5349.

accounts.

For more information and details on the project please visit VDOT Richmond District’s project page at https://www.virginiadot. org/projects/richmond/fairground-road-route-632-intersection-improvements-ingoochland.asp.

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Serving Goochland County

Providence Presbyterian will mark 275 years Saturday

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Goochland’s Providence Presbyterian Church will be marking its 275th anniversary this Saturday, and the church is inviting the entire community to join in the celebration.

The event will highlight the many unique features of the church, which boasts the distinction of being the oldest Presbyterian Church in continual

use in the Commonwealth of Virginia. According to the church’s website, it is also the only remaining example of the seven “Meeting Houses” built by dissenters of Hanover and Louisa when the Church of England was the established church.

In the early 1740’s, Samuel Morris invited a group of people to read the Bible and worship in his home. As this group grew, he began to build “Meeting Houses” for Bible study.

Upon being called to Williamsburg to defend his actions before Governor Gooch, Morris and other dissenters declared themselves “Presbyterians.”

Governor Gooch granted them permission to worship in this denomination under the “Act of Toleration.”

“Providence Presbyterian Church stands as a tribute to the dissenters who struggled for the religious freedom that we enjoy to this day,” reads the church’s official history. “Unchanged

except for necessary upkeep, the simple structure stands amid oak and pine, much as it did over 270 years ago when Indians roamed Virginia forests and a few simple people met to read and study the Bible. Providence looks back at a remarkable history with gratitude and celebrates God’s blessings on this enduring congregation.”

The church has been on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register

Community Calendar

Thursday, Oct. 20

Read 2 Rover will be held at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. for those in grades K-2. Read 2 Rover provides comfort and motivation for beginning readers as they read aloud to Colby or Pepper, the library’s therapy dogs. Space is limited and registration is required. Call the Rockville Branch at (804) 749-3146 for more information.

Toddler and Preschool Storytime will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 10 - 10:30 a.m. for ages 2-5 with caregiver. Enjoy a fun time with books, signing, rhymes, and much more. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library for more information.

Friday, Oct. 21

Family Storytime will be held at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library from 10:30 – 11 a.m. Participants will enjoy a fun time with books, signing, rhymes, and much more. Family Storytime is for children up to 5 and their caregivers. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information.

The Rotary Club of Goochland will welcome Warren McCrickard, executive director of Boys to Men Mentoring Network of Virginia. The meeting starts at 7:30 a.m. and is held at The Residence Inn Short Pump at the Notch, 1800 Wilkes Ridge Circle.

Saturday, Oct. 22

Gum Spring United Methodist Church will host the UMW Fall Craft and Bake Sale from 8 a.m. – noon at 191 Cross Country Road in Gum Spring. The sale will offer handmade crafts and homemade baked goods.

Providence Presbyterian Church, located at 3388 Three Chopt Road, is celebrating its 275th anniversary from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration will feature a bluegrass band, games for kids, Brunswick stew and Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson reenactors from noon – 2 p.m. All are welcome.

Tuesday, Oct. 25

The Goochland Branch Library will host Mystery Book Club from 10 - 11 a.m. for those ages 18 and up. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Wednesday, Oct. 26

The Goochland Branch Library will host an Author Book Talk with Pat Garber from 7 - 8:30 p.m. for those ages 18 and up. The awardwinning local author will discuss her book “Birchbark Chronicles.” In this book, Pat journals her daily life in an Adirondack cabin and her reflections of early years growing up in Virginia. Copies of her books will be available for purchase. Light refreshments will

be provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library. Call (804) 5564774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Thursday, Oct. 27

Toddler and Preschool Storytime will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 10 - 10:30 a.m. for ages 2-5 with caregiver. Enjoy a fun time with books, signing, rhymes, and much more. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Friday, Oct. 28

Family Storytime will be held at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library from 10:30 – 11 a.m.

Participants will enjoy a fun time with books, signing, rhymes, and much more. Family Storytime is for children up to 5 and their caregivers. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information.

The Rotary Club of Goochland will welcome Drew Mugford, principal of Benedictine College Prepartory. The meeting starts at 7:30 a.m. and is held at The Residence Inn Short Pump at the Notch, 1800 Wilkes Ridge Circle.

Sunday, Oct. 30

The Goochland County Sheriff’s Office will host Candy, Costumes and Cops from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on

Sunday, Oct. 30, offering local families a chance to one again enjoy this Halloween drive-thru trick or treating event. The event will be held in the Courthouse Circle, 2938 River Road West.

Tuesday, Nov. 1

Therapy Dog Reading will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. for those in grades K-5. Have your child practice reading in a relaxed environment with a trained therapy dog from Caring Canines. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Thursday, Nov. 3

Family Storytime will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 10 - 10:30 a.m. for ages 2-5 with caregiver. Enjoy a fun time with books, singing, rhymes, and much more! Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Friday, Nov. 4

Toddler and Preschool Storytime will be held at the Goochland Branch Library for ages 2-5 with caregiver. Enjoy a fun time with books, singing, rhymes, and much more! Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Saturday, Nov. 5

since 1973.

This Saturday’s event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church (3388 Three Chopt Road in Gum Spring) will feature Brunswick Stew, cornbread and desserts, children’s games and activities, and a visit by Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson reenactors.

A performance by the In Between Blue Grass Band will also be part of the festivities.

Join Bee Kreative and paint a step-by-step Birch tree painting using acrylic paint! Aprons and all materials will be provided. Come ready to have a good time! This program will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, and the cost is $40. Participants must be at least 16. For more information contact Goochland County Parks and Recreation at (804) 556-5854.

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Action Figure Art Class at the Goochland Branch Library from 6:30 - 8 p.m. for those ages 12-18. Meet local artist Curtis Brown and learn techniques to draw your own superhero action figure. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary. libcal.com/event/9333126. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Thursday, Nov. 10

Family Storytime will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 10 - 10:30 a.m. for ages 2-5 with caregiver. Enjoy a fun time with books, singing, rhymes, and much more! Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Friday, Nov. 11

Toddler and Preschool Storytime will be held at the Goochland Branch Library for ages 2-5 with caregiv-

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

GCPS once again named Best in Richmond-Metro

For the fifth year in a row, GCPS was named Best District in the Richmond-Metro area by Niche, a national school information website.

The division was ranked second in the RichmondMetro area for Best Places to Teach and Best Teachers. The division also ranked fourth in Best District for Athletes.

“I am humbled to serve with dedicated professionals in a community that supports and values our work, making this recognition possible for five years in a row now,” said GCPS superintendent Jeremy Raley. “This is another example of the excellence of GCPS.”

Niche ranked GCPS in the top 10 % of divisions state-wide with an overall ranking of 12 out of 131. Niche also gives school districts and schools letter grades in several different areas, including resources and facilities. GCPS received A grades on Clubs and Activities, Sports, Resources & Facilities, College Prep, and Administration.

Niche, the leading platform connecting students and families with colleges and schools, releases an annual ranking of schools and districts throughout the United States. Niche’s rankings provide a more personal view of a school by combining user input — ratings from current students, alumni, and parents — with quantitative data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate teachers, resources and facilities, extracurricular activity opportunities, and more.

Woodson continued from >1

Saturday night’s banquet was also well attended, nearly filling the facility to capacity. Master of Ceremony for the evening, Rev. Adlai Allen, Pastor of the Chief Cornerstone Baptist Church in Goochland, kept things moving along. First up was the sensational singing group, Chris Lewis and Company. The honoree’s son Rev. Gene Woodson, pastor of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Keene, did the opening scripture and prayer.

Deacon Tommy Woodson of the Fauquier Baptist Church welcomed everyone and stated the purpose for the occasion.

The preacher for the event was Dr. Robert A. Diggs, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Petersburg. After that, Christian comedian Wendy Lee came out and kept the audience laughing with her wit and clean fun.

During the meal period, a slide show was presented highlighting Pastor Woodson’s years in the ministry and his time at Fauquier. Juhamba, a group of African dancers and drummers, performed traditional dance moves to live music.

Fauquier’s Chair of Deacons Primus Jackson and Deaconess Chair Ruby Jackson presented Pastor Woodson with a plaque thanking him and recognizing his 29 years of dedicated service to the Fauquier Baptist Church.

Reflections on behalf of the family were given by one of the honoree’s son, Philip Woodson. Philip’s moving observations captured the audience when he told how his father’s venture into the ministry got started. Philip recalled that the family once lived in an older house and then moved into a new house in the Maidens Road neighborhood where his father grew up.

Philip said when they first moved, all the kids in the neighborhood were going to Sunday School except him and his siblings. When they were told they would need to start going to Sunday School, Philip asked his father, “Why do we have to go when you don’t go?” Philip said he got the answer parents often gave when he was growing up,

“It’s because I said so.” The younger Woodson said his dad eventually started going to Sunday School, and not only that, before long he started teaching Sunday School, became Sunday School Superintendent, a deacon, was licensed to preach in 1977, called to his first pastorate in Powhatan county, and then pastored Fauquier Baptist Church in Goochland for 29 years, starting back in 1993.

Calendar

continued from >4walked on the platform to deliver such a strong message to a nearly full sanctuary.

er. Enjoy a fun time with books, singing, rhymes, and much more! Call (804) 5564774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Remarks were also given by Minister Joyce Harden, his classmate at the Fredericksburg Bible Seminary, and by Rev. Wanda Taylor of Lighthouse Ministries.

Now, here we are 45 years later, and the retiring pastor has been preaching and ministering all that time, touching many lives in many ways.

Friday Book Group will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 11 a.m. – noon for those ages 18 and up. Call (804) 5564774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Saturday, Nov. 12

The Goochland Library will host “The Garden of Eden,” a virtual Zoom pro-

gram, from 10 - 11 a.m. for those ages 18 and up. Learn how Virginia horticulture influenced the world in the 18th century and discuss how you can grow historic plants in your own garden. This workshop will be presented by Cathy McCarthy, Master Gardener, Goochland Powhatan Master Gardener Association. Registration is required at https:// pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/event/9335265. The Zoom meeting link will be sent to the email registered one day before the event occurs. Please contact the Goochland Branch if you do not receive this email. Call (804) 556-4774 for more information.

Photo by Jeffery Mabry

Rev. Dr. Melvin A. Woodson, Sr. , here preaching his last sermon as the pastor of Fauquier Baptist Church, came to the Dogtown Road church after first serving as a pastor in Powhatan. He first entered the ministry in 1977.

Recipe book holds cache of memories to savor

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

As most of us don’t need to be reminded, the rise of modern technology has ushered in the decline of all kinds of things, and not all of those things have been equally mourned.

Paper maps, for example, the kind that were all-but-impossible to refold and tough to read at night under a dim car dome light, have not been missed. Cell phones have nudged out any possible nostalgia for payphones, just as “click and pull” curbside grocery pickup has been a welcome alternative to trudging up and down the aisles after a long day at work.

Most of the time, in fact, I don’t mourn for the outdated version of anything. If it makes life easier and won’t break the back, sign me up. Every once in a while, however, I have to admit that the new way isn’t always better.

Tiny acorns a reminder of autumn’s many gifts

By Emily Walls Ray Contributing Columnist

Take cookbooks, for example. Like many people, I have amassed a decent collection of cookbooks over the years, covering a wide variety of cuisines and cooking styles. But while the photography is stunning and the recipes enticing, I will be the first to admit I rarely look at any of them these days. It’s just easier to search recipes on my phone or save them to an app, where they are easily pulled up by keyword.

The exception to all of this is a plain white three-ring binder that my mom made for me years ago. It was a beautiful gift, filled not just with her own favorite recipes but also those handed down from previous generations. The binder is the only place I know where I can find my grandmother’s meatball recipe, or the steps for making the poundcake my mom always made us for our birthdays. You could certainly find a similar recipe on the internet if you wanted to, but I

doubt it would remind you to take the cake out a minute or two early so the middle stayed just a tiny bit gooey (which, growing up, we all agreed was the best part). Many of the recipes are written on index cards in her instantly recognizable, perfect cursive, and I would not trade it for any other book in my kitchen.

Over the years the binder has become both a repository for other favorite recipes, many of them with their own stories to tell. Almost all date back to the preinternet days, back when instructions were written down on scraps of paper or carefully clipped from magazines. Not everything is pristine: There is smudged blue index card in there featuring a cousin-inlaw’s crab dip and a life-changing baked macaroni and cheese recipe scrawled on the back of a grocery store receipt. Nothing is terribly fancy or requires an intolerable number of steps. The recipes don’t

Acorns everywhere: the small, round, delicate ones sometimes still attached to green leaves remind me of those from my childhood in Alabama. In fact, the nuts from the Druid oaks gave my hometown of Tuscaloosa the nickname “Druid City,” so prolific were the oak trees there. Now, a transplant to Richmond, Virginia, when I pull into my driveway, my tires crunch the more elongated, waxy

really say “look at what an accomplished cook I am” as much as they say “let’s celebrate” or “I love you, and I know this is your favorite, so I made it.”

The other day, tucked in the back, I found a handful of recipes I attempted as a new wife years ago, back when my skill level wasn’t quite up to the meals I so badly wanted to perfect. Holding those faded pages in my hands, I could almost smell the scorched chicken and undercooked fish, the hockey puck biscuits and inedible desserts.

These days, I like to think, I’m a little more adept in the kitchen. But while YouTube and Pinterest and TikTok and dozens of other resources have helped to sharpen my skills and sort out the lingo, the Internet has never been able to fully replace that now-battered— and occasionally batter-splattered—old binder.

Old-fashioned? Maybe. But in the most delicious way.

covered fruit from taller oak trees. Their yellowish centers exposed by the cracked shell must excite the pair of industrious squirrels busying about this autumn day. Carefully I tread over the acorns, lest a firm one should cause me to slip and fall. Typically I use a yard broom or rake to sweep away the many acorns: I have not been a blower. The old fashioned way of removing the acorns has here-

tofore been my method of acorn removal. I can send them down my steep driveway with a whoosh! Yet increasingly over the years the high pitched sound of one blower seems to ignite a chorus of them, to the point that I have begun associating the sound of these modern cleanup tools under a blue sky with fall. Not the most pleasant of the senses, but

Letters to the Editor

Good’s recent vote on PACT Act shows he isn’t right for Goochland

Dear Editor, I am an Army veteran who served during the Vietnam era. I was very happy when Congress passed the PACT Act that addresses medical issues from exposure to toxic chemicals at Camp LeJeune.

Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger was involved in getting this bipartisan Act passed. Goochland county is now in the 5th Congressional District and is represented by Bob Good. Fortunately, the Act passed with bipartisan support, 342 to 88. Bob Good voted No. He also voted against the Inflation Reduction Act that permitted the government to negotiate lower prices for drugs.

Based on these two votes I strongly believe Bob Good is not suitable for Congress.

Josh Throneburg is running against Bob Good in the Nov. 8 election. He will support us. Please vote for Josh Throneburg.

Dr. L. Fred Roensch Goochland

Homeowners should exercise caution when considering solar

Dear Editor,

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS

The

Send

Va. 23116 Fax: 344-8746 E-mail: editor@goochlandgazette.com

I read with interest the article on solar energy in the county, since we’ve had solar energy on our farm for more than 12 years. In addition given the recent solar scams the buyer must remain acutely aware of from whom they are buying and installing. One can be in the grid, i.e. attached to the meter, or off grid. There are also systems that allow for both. When you lose utility power, in-grid systems turn off. You can buy a switch that allows use in either case. If you also buy energy storage make sure you know what and for how long it will provide energy. There are

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

Henley retires from GCSO

Goochland County Sheriff Steve Creasey recently congratulated Capt. Chuck Henley, right, on his retirement from the GCSO’s Criminal Investigations Division. Henley began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in 1994 as an auxiliary deputy, and became a fulltime deputy in 1995. Over the course of the next 27 years, he steadily moved up the ranks, alternating between patrol and investigations. When he was promoted to lieutenant in 2011, he moved back to investigations, where he would stay until his retirement.

Photo courtesy of Goochland County Sheriff’s Office

Area Jehovah’s Witnesses return to door-to-door ministry after 30-month pause due to pandemic

Contributed report

Jehovah’s Witnesses resumed their trademark door-to-door ministry beginning Sept. 1; the twoand-a-half-year suspension of the work ended just in time for the launch of a global campaign featuring an interactive program for Bible study.

The decision to resume their door-to-door ministry marks the complete restoration of all prepandemic in-person activities for the nearly 1.3 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in about 13,000 congregations in the United States. Houses of worship (called Kingdom Halls) were reopened on April 1, witnessing in public places resumed on May 31 and in-person conventions are again being planned for 2023.

“We have really enjoyed being back in the door-to-door ministry,” said Jeff Thompson, whose family of six recently returned to inperson preaching in the Goochland and Cumberland areas. “It’s the best, most effective method and, personally, I’ve already had a lot more success speaking with people at the door.”

“It’s been amazing preaching door-to-door again,” added Lawrina

Thompson, Jeff’s wife. “And I think it has been great for the community. We often hear that we have been missed.”

The suspension of the public ministry was a proactive response by the organization to keep communities and congregants safe. The move was also unprecedented. Jehovah’s Witnesses had been preaching from house to house without interruption for more than 100 years through an economic depression, two world wars and global unrest, but COVID19 demanded a different response.

“We believe that the early decision to shut down all in-person activities for more than two years has saved many lives,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “We’re now ready and eager to reconnect with our neighbors once again – person-to-person, face-to-face. It’s not the only way that we preach, but it has historically been the most effective way to deliver our message of comfort and hope.”

The return to an in-person ministry coincides with a global campaign to offer an interactive Bible study program, available in hundreds of languages and offered at no cost. The course comes in the form of a

printed book, an online publication or as an embedded feature within the organization’s free mobile application, JW Library. Released in late 2020, the interactive study platform combines text, video, illustrations and digital worksheets to help learners of all ages.

“This study program is designed to match the learning style of the 21st-century student,” said Hendriks. “We’re excited to begin sharing it with our neighbors as we return to making personal visits.”

The pandemic forced Jehovah’s Witnesses to quickly pivot to virtual meetings and conventions while conducting their ministry exclusively through letters, phone calls and virtual Bible studies. This has led to growth in meeting attendance and the number of congregants, with more than 400,000 newly baptized witnesses joining the ranks of 120,000 congregations globally in just the first two years of the pandemic.

For more information about Jehovah’s Witnesses, their history, beliefs and activities, visit their official website, jw.org, with content available in more than 1,000 languages.

Serving Goochland County Since 1955

Acorns continued from >6

I’ll take it as long as it is accompanied by the musky scent of leaves, moist earth, brilliant autumn hues, and the taste of cinnamon, pumpkin spice and apple cider.

Trips to the pumpkin patch, apple picking in the mountains, walks on leafy paths at Deep Run Park, bake sales with sweet and tart delicacies and mugs of flavored coffee celebrate the fanfare of fall. Door decorations, porch pumpkins, pots of chrysanthemums with their definitive autumn aroma, scarecrows cute or formidable, all herald the change of nature’s clothing to prepare for winter.

But the acorn carries for me the longest association of learning about my country’s bounty, history and beauty. What curious child hasn’t ventured to taste the orange meat of an acorn to see what the squirrels’ fuss is all about, then been surprised by the slightly bitter results? Imagine the Colonists at Jamestown making flour from acorns during the “Starving Times” described in Richmond author Connie Lapallo’s novel, “Dark Enough to See the Stars Under a Jamestown Sky.” The simple acorn can be beautiful and practical.

Once I wrote a grant that funded the teaching of authors including Ms. Lapallo to visit Goochland Middle School students to enrich us with writing and storytelling lessons. Dressed in Colonial garb, she engaged our students with her story of genealogical research that led to her writing about her ancestors’ experiences at sea and at Jamestown.

As a thank you gift, my students and I made a huge wreath of acorns we glued onto a circle of wood. Such fine specimens of acorns of all kinds and colors of gold, brown and nutmeg. The ones with acorn caps intact were the prettiest. We

prepared the wreath using copious amounts of wood glue that took several days to dry. However, we were horrified to discover hosts of worms wiggling their way out of holes not detected earlier in the acorns! Alas, we were forced to find a different token of appreciation for her time and talent. But we had a heightened sense of nature and creativity in making the wreath in the first place.

In a different season of my life, retirement, I savor the senses of autumn while sitting in my backyard swing. The racket of torpedoing acorns bombing the tin roofs of our outdoor sheds startles me as I sip my decaffeinated coffee in the mornings. A friend shared that he provides hard hats to guests visiting on his deck in the fall to shield them from acorn attacks. So far I haven’t suffered a direct hit while in my perch on the swing, but once a rogue acorn plopped into my glass of tea.

I love my front row swing seat on the backyard view of autumn. But God’s handiwork on the canvas of autumn extends to breathtaking panoramic views of golden fields, undulating foothills, and the blue hue of the mountain ridges in Virginia and other blessed states and regions. The acorn is only one small piece of evidence of His creative powers. No wonder He surveyed His creation and proclaimed, “It is good.” Let us rejoice in the humble acorn and the season of autumn’s harvest. I know Suzy and Sammy Squirrel certainly are celebrating in my backyard!

Emily Walls Ray is a freelance writer, tutor, and former teacher of English and creative writing in the GCPS system from 2007-2020. She enjoys gardening, reading, church, and sewing, but most of all, being a grandmother. To read more of her stories, visit her blog at https://writetouchblog.wordpress.com/

Letters continued from >6

many other things a buyer should be aware of. Besides running your smart meter backwards, you can

potentially sell your solar production in outside markets as solar renewable energy credits. In any event, caution is required.

Richard Carchman Columbia

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

2022 State Fair of Virginia Results

The following Goochland residents earned honors at this year’s State Fair of Virginia, held Sept. 23 - Oct. 2, in the culinary arts, visual arts and horticulture competitions.

Name Place Name Place

Adeline Dameron

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9060 - Squash, Cushaw type

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9017 - Gourds, smaller than 6 inches, 3 specimens 1

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9016 - Gourds, basket arranged attractively 1

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9015 - Gourds, 6 inches or larger (1 specimen)

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9046 - Pumpkin, Basket of peepers, arranged attractively 1

Bia Lisboa

Youth- Painting & Drawing 4003 - Charcoal, pencil or ink, mounted

Bland Motley

Vegetables & Fruits 9015 - Gourds, 6 inches or larger (1 specimen)

Vegetables & Fruits 9060 - Squash, Cushaw type

Carolina Alvarez

Youth- Painting & Drawing 4003 - Charcoal, pencil or ink, mounted 2

Davi Morais

Youth- Painting & Drawing 4016 - Watercolor, mounted

Youth- Painting & Drawing 4006 - Crayon, mounted

Emma Hackman

Youth- Paper Art 5011 - Other Paper Art not listed

Evelis Grullon

Youth- Painting & Drawing 4021 - Mixed media

Evie Dennis

Youth- Painting & Drawing 4001 - Caricature, mounted

Fernando Souza

Youth- Painting & Drawing 4003 - Charcoal, pencil or ink, mounted

Ginger Lowery

Dish Gardens & Terrariums 1001 - Dish Garden, growers choice of plant 2

Quick Breads 8105 - One Dozen Biscuits

King Arthur Flour Contest

King Arthur Flour Coffee Cake - Special Contest

Honey Cookery 8906 - Bread

Culinary Herbs 1213 - Sage, fresh cut (in water)

Culinary Herbs 1206 - Herbs, display of fresh cut (in water)

Culinary Herbs 1205 - Herbs, display of dried

Gluten-Free 9101 - Quick Breads

Giovanni Chavarria

Youth- Painting & Drawing 4006 - Crayon, mounted

Grant Maynard

Youth- Painting & Drawing 4024 - Miscellaneous

Youth- Jewelry 1703 - Beaded

Lakim Thompson

Cakes 8303 - Fruit or Vegetable Cake (Apple,Pumpkin, etc)

Cakes 8307 - Miscellaneous

Cakes 8302 - Pound Cake (iced or uniced)

Cakes 8306 - Vanilla Cupcake (half dozen)

Pies 9308 - Cheesecake Pie

Best of Section

Melina Deverick

Youth- Painting & Drawing 4006 - Crayon, mounted

Neal Quinn

Yeast 7906 - Freeform or Rustic Bread

Yeast 7905 - Savory Bread

Noah Reis Youth- Paper Art 5011 - Other Paper Art not listed - please describe 3

Rhett Grimes Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9017 - Gourds, smaller than 6 inches, 3 specimens 4

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9060 - Squash, Cushaw type 3

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9049 - Pumpkin, mini, less than 1lb, 3 specimens, any color 3

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9016 - Gourds, basket arranged attractively 4

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9015 - Gourds, 6 inches or larger (1 specimen) 3

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9053 - Pumpkin, White, less than 10 lbs 2

Sadie Grimes

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9016 - Gourds, basket arranged attractively 3

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9060 - Squash, Cushaw type 2

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9049 - Pumpkin, mini, less than 1lb, 3 specimens, any color 2

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9017 - Gourds, smaller than 6 inches, 3 specimens 5

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9015 - Gourds, 6 inches or larger (1 specimen) 2

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9053 - Pumpkin, White, less than 10 lbs 3

Sierra Freet

Youth- Painting & Drawing 4014 - Tempera or Acrylic, mounted 3

Youth- Special Cookie Competition 6501 - Chocolate Chip Cookies 3

Youth- Sewing 9016 - Other sewing not listed 1

Youth- Photography - Color - 26B 2625 - Color animals 1

Youth- Photography - Color - 26B 2623 - Color garden 2

Youth- Photography - B&W - 26A2604 - Black & white garden 2

Youth- Fun Classes 2519 - Trash to treasure - miscellaneous 1

Sonia Talman

2B: Photography - Color 2021 - Color human interest 3

Antiques & Interesting Objects 6229 - Antiques & Interesting Objects 2

Jewelry 2704 - Beaded 2

Yard Art 4707 - Yard art, other 2

Preserves & Jellies 7615 - Fig preserves 3

Sewing 9018 - Other sewing not listed 3

Trash to Treasure 4504 - Painted Rocks 2

Sophia Mendizabal

Youth- Paper Art 5002 - Decorated paper 2

Wyatt Dameron

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9015 - Gourds, 6 inches or larger (1 specimen) 4

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9016 - Gourds, basket arranged attractively 2

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9049 - Pumpkin, mini, less than 1lb, 3 specimens, any color 1

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9060 - Squash, Cushaw type 2

Youth- Vegetables & Fruits 9017 - Gourds, smaller than 6 inches, 3 specimens 2 Youth- Fiber Art 7012 - Other fiber art not listed 3

Serving Goochland County

1955

Homecoming heroes help Bulldogs win

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

Under the bright lights of their home field with a massive homecoming crowd showing up to support their team, there were plenty of eyes on the Goochland Bulldogs in their matchup against Monticello High School on Oct. 14.

Down 14-0 entering halftime and struggling to generate chances, the Bulldogs saw their stars shine brightest when they needed them most, turning in the kind of comeback performance that’ll surely make the rounds in every topic of conversation about Goochland football for the next decade.

The Bulldogs ran off 42 unanswered points in that second half and saw senior Jamason Pryor turn in another stunning display of dynamic running that had defenders missing tackles in a Three Stooges-like befuddlement of errors, but it was the impeccable display of special teams dominance from senior Nik Cotner, who blocked three

punts in a single quarter and recovered one in the end zone, that sparked the homecoming comeback that had the student section rush the field in jubila-

tion after the game.

Cotner’s punt-blocking expertise isn’t new to the team though, with his first of the season coming in the open-

er versus King William, also recovered for a touchdown, but Cotner credits his skills playing basketball as something that’s helped him evade

blockers and get a hand on the ball.

“I play basketball too so I hit him with a euro step that went outside and then in so

then it’s there every time,” he said.

On defense, Cotner and his teammates shut down a Monticello rushing attack that was successfully moving the chains in the first half, which Cotner credits with some positional adjustments that included him playing more in the box as well as a spirited halftime speech from their coaches.

“We really didn’t even talk football as much as we talked about how are you going to answer the bell, and what kind of effort are you going to give. These boys met that challenge,” head coach Alex Fruth said.

Fruth, who said Cotner has always reminded him and his fellow coaches of former Bulldog Will Stratton, who also had a knack for making timely special teams plays, says he’d never seen anything like what Cotner did on the field on Friday night.

As for the rest of the team, he admits guys were asked to step up into roles they’d

Collegiate continues to roll after win over Benedictine

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

In a battle between top VISAA soccer teams, the Collegiate Cougars hosted the Benedictine Cadets at Charlie Blair Field and flexed their muscles with a powerful showing that ended in a 5-0 win on Thursday, Oct. 13.

through the wings, which in turn allowed them to win the corner kick differential and consistently send passes inside the box for their guys to put in the net.

junior Andrew Ascoli.

Just before the first half ended, the Cougars doubled their lead, this time coming from sophomore Shaan Agarwal.

Photo by Robby Fletcher

Collegiate’s Charles Nolde celebrates a goal versus Benedictine on Oct. 13.

Collegiate (11-2), ranked fourth in the VISAA’s top-10 polls on Oct. 6, had most of its success attacking with runs

Benedictine (9-2-2), ranked seventh in the last standings, controlled the opening 20 minutes of the first half with high energy and intensity pushing the ball up, but Collegiate broke through with the first goal on a onetouch volley from junior Charles Nolde off a cross from

In the 52nd minute, senior Matthew Jenkins gave the Cougars a commanding 3-0 lead when Agarwal drove down the left side of the field and placed a ground cross to the foot of Jenkins, who drove it into the back of the net for the team’s third score.

With control of possession

and generating chances left and right, it was only a matter of time before the Cougars added their fourth goal, this time coming off a corner kick that followed a terrific save from Cadets keeper Gardener Campbell.

On the ensuing corner, Ascoli added the fourth goal after the ball leaked out near the top of the box, where he finished in front of a crowded net.

With the game all but over, the Cadets down a player after

a pair of yellow cards sent Nathan Howerton off and the Cougars bench cleared to give the backups valuable playing time, Quinton Sullivan made it 5-0 on a lay off assist from Joshua Parker in the 83rd minute.

The Cougars play again on Thursday, Oct. 20 against Episcopal at 4 p.m. while the Cadets take on Veritas School at the same time on Thursday.

Robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@powhatantoday.co

Photo by Joel Brown

Goochland senior defensive back Nik Cotner celebrates in the end zone after recovering a blocked punt for a Bulldogs touchdown versus Monticello High School on Oct. 14.

see Homecoming

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

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

SGHS field hockey program builds through patience

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

When Regina Ryan came onboard to be the new head coach of St. Gertrude’s varsity field hockey team, she knew the journey to developing a program that could one day find itself near the top of the always competitive LIS would be one that required patience.

Now with a year under her belt and joined by friend and colleague Heather Nichols, things are slowly, but surely trending in the right direction.

“It’s a marathon and not a sprint,” Ryan said.

Ryan has long been invested in the success of Gators field hockey, working with the middies program since 2008 while having a daughter attend the school. Seeing a revolving door of coaching changes and multiple teams struggling to generate enough interest to field two full teams during their seasons, Ryan found the opportunity to step in and build a program that could bring in travel players while developing the players already with the Gators.

“I saw this as a real oppor-

tunity to build a program,” she said.

She enlisted the help of Nichols after her first year on the job. The two have been acquaintances around the sport for years, with Nichols having experience coaching with Trinity Episcopal, where one of her daughters attended, and Panthers United Field Hockey, a year-round field hockey club. With her children all out of high school and a chance at a new opportunity, Nichols eventually joined Ryan on the mission to build up the sport of field hockey at SGHS.

“I was excited to join her and kind of see where this new path would go because I believed that the program can become stronger, and it’s a nice group of girls with a beautiful school and a lot of plans for growth,” Nichols said.

So far, the coaches have found positives in the little things that they’ve seen from their team.

They’ve noted seeing how the girls on the field apply practice drills into live game situations, implement new skills and learn techniques like forward cutting to receive

a ball or eliminating players with a textbook block tackle that have helped them improve throughout the season.

“The girls are very energetic and supportive of one another,” Nichols commented. “They believe in what we’re trying to do and they work hard in practices and games.”

There have been moments where they see the team figuring things out. They’ve played just one team twice this season in St. Anne’s-Belfield, and after losing 5-0 and having 14 defensive corners the first time, they cut that down to 3-0 the second game with just seven defensive corners. In their matchup against the Collegiate Cougars, the reigning LIS champs, the Gators scored their first goal against the powerhouse program since 2015.

“It’s not going to happen in a season so our steps are small, but they’re there so we have to find our progress in the smaller moments,” Nichols said.

Players like senior Maya McClellan have also helped as leaders on the field that set the tone and work with newcomers on the team.

“Maya really carries out the

effort and sees what Heather and I are doing,” Ryan said. “She’s a strong leader on the field.”

One such newcomer is goalie Camille Boyd, who joined the team last season without any experience in the cage. Now, Ryan says she often hears how Boyd looks like anything but a beginner at the high-pressure position.

With 14 returning players from last year, enough players to form a junior varsity program and efforts from senior defenders like McClellan, Carolyn Cogswell and Virginia Lee, the Gators have two wins under their belt and have developed higher interest in the game than in previous seasons. The coaches hope that increased interest will help

elevate the program as a destination for travel-level players and a school that can compete with the best in the LIS in a few years’ time.

“I would hope that in two to three years that we will be a team to watch by other schools,” Ryan said. “They’re already telling us how we’ve improved so much from last season.”

Benedictine charges through Collegiate in home win

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

When the Benedictine Cadets win games this season, never has it looked like the opposition stood a chance.

All five of Benedictine’s wins this season have been by double-figures, with team members often crediting the group’s superior work ethic on the practice field for their success. That effort was on full display in Benedictine’s latest win, a 45-14

win over the Collegiate Cougars (3-4) at home on Friday, Oct. 14.

“I think it’s just the work that we put in at practice,” wide receiver Riley Roarty said.

The win comes on the heels of Benedictine’s 20-14 loss on Oct. 7 to Georgetown Prep, a game that head coach Greg Lilly saw as a tough loss to a good team, but still an indicator that the team had some more work to do.

“We were better today, but

we’ve got a lot of room for improvement,” Lilly said.

Roarty, one of the team’s most reliable vertical threats a season after breaking his leg against Trinity Episcopal in the state championship game, was at his very best against the Cougars, hauling in two receptions that both went for touchdowns.

His first was the opening touchdown of the game after Khamari Veney picked off Collegiate quarterback Jack

Callaghan, as he fought for a jumpball thrown by quarterback Wes Buleza and took it 32 yards into the end zone for a 10-0 Cadets lead.

Then, Roarty and Buleza’s second connection came on the opening drive of the third quarter, as Roarty caught the pass between defenders in the middle of the field and ran it for a 76-yard score. While Roarty’s development has turned what’s usually a 50/50 ball into some-

thing with greater odds in his favor, he credits his relationship with his quarterback for his onfield success.

“It’s Wes. He’s throwing the ball in the right spots, and I’m just going to get them, so he’s making the job easier for me,” Roarty said.

Buleza finished the day with 164 yards passing, and completed a third touchdown pass to Luca Puccinelli for 22 yards later in the third quarter. On

the ground, running back Leo Boehling had a team-high 94 yards.

The Cadets defense swarmed a typically strong Cougars aerial attack led by Callaghan and Virginia Tech recruit Krystian Williams at wide receiver.

Callaghan did toss two touchdowns, one to Williams in the fourth quarter, but also was picked off twice, while the Cougars also coughed up three

Contributed Photo

St. Gertrude High School’s field hockey team, coached by Regina Ryan and Heather Nichols, currently holds a 2-11 record on the season, with wins over Steward School and Summit Academy.

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

Goochland volleyball tops district’s best team

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

Taking down Fluvanna County, the giants of the Jefferson district this season, has been a task no one had managed to do nine games into district play this season. That is, until the Flying Flucos met the Goochland Bulldogs on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

Goochland (8-6, 5-5 in the district) overcame a rough opening set by winning three straight sets by just two points to upset Fluvanna County (16-3, 9-1 in the district) in what can be considered the Bulldogs’ most impressive win of the season.

Then, two days later on Oct. 13, Goochland won another close matchup, this time taking a victory in five sets over Charlottesville (4-17, 2-9 in the district) as they attempted an upset bid of their own.

It was the second time Goochland matched up with both Fluvanna and Charlottesville this season, with the opening matchups having very different results. In their first meeting with the Flying Flucos, the Bulldogs fell in three sets on Sept. 15, while they defeated the Black Knights in three sets on Sept. 20.

Against the Flying Flucos,

Goochland fell in the first set 25-12 in what could have been a possible indicator of a similar result to their meeting in September, but things began to click after that, with the team first taking the second set in a thrilling 26-24 final, the third set in a 25-23 victory and finally another 26-24 win that made a potential tiebreaker set unnecessary.

The team was led in kills by sophomore Avery Jastrzemski with 11, while she also added 19 digs, another team-high, and three blocks. Laura Lee Baldwin added 18 digs of her own to help the defense survive a deadly Fluvanna attack, as well as five blocks and five

kills. The team also received a team-best 30 assists from senior Nicole Brown.

Against Charlottesville, Goochland went down in the opening set again in a 25-20 defeat, but bounced back with a monstrous 25-8 drubbing of the Black Knights in the second set.

Charlottesville responded with a third set win of 25-22, just edging out Goochland, but the Bulldogs won 25-22 the next set to force a fifth set to 15, which they won 15-10.

Goochland plays again on Thursday, Oct. 20 when it travels to take on Albemarle (9-8, 8-4 in the district) at 6:30 p.m.

Homecoming

continued from >9

previously never experienced before and that it was a testament to the team’s identity that they successfully filled those roles admirably in a huge win.

“Due to attrition, we had guys step up and do things that they never done before

and they did a great job,” Fruth said.

One particular player who stepped up was quarterback Blayke Flaherty, a sophomore, who came in early in the second half and added 27 rushing yards along with a touchdown off a quarterback sneak at the 1-yard-line. Fruth says they intend to implement Flaherty

into the offense more during the season.

Pryor, meanwhile, surpassed a career mark in rushing yards that was set on Sept. 30 with 208 yards against Fluvanna County by recording 246 against Monticello to go with four second half rushing touchdowns. He scored on runs of 15, 13, 16 and 5 yards

in his breakout half, carving up a Monticello defense that looked gassed after jumping out with its two-score lead.

Now winners of three straight, the Bulldogs are riding high entering their next matchup against the Albemarle Patriots on Oct. 14, who stand near the top of the Jefferson District standings

Goochland sophomore Ava Garrison serves against Western Albemarle in a road matchup on Oct. 6. The Bulldogs are currently 8-6 on the season.

with a 5-1 overall record and a 3-0 district record. Fruth credits greater overall cohesiveness for the team’s recent success, made possible in part because of the team’s depth and plug-and-play nature on defense as well as a consistent offensive line that’s remained intact and fully healthy for the last five games.

It’s all played a part in the team’s win streak, and now with a team that’s coming in as confident underdogs versus the Patriots, there’s a certain feeling around the Bulldogs that they can top anyone that stands in their way.

Robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@powhatantoday.com.

Benedictine

continued from >10

fumbles and saw a punt blocked for a touchdown by Cadets freshman JeJuan Hutchins.

Three different Cadets hauled in interceptions, with Veney’s starting the trend before linebacker John Garbett added one to set up Puccinelli’s score and junior Addison Gosline ran his back to the Cougars 13-yardline with 5:24 left in the fourth quarter.

By late in the second half, the Cadets were able to rest most

of their starters and showcase their depth by allowing most of the backups an extended appearance on the field.

“We got a lot of guys in, but that’s kind of the plan at this point,” Lilly said. “We feel confident with all those guys in.”

Benedictine plays next on Oct. 22 in a Saturday evening matchup at home against Mt. Zion Prep Academy that kicks off at 4 p.m.

Collegiate plays on Friday, Oct. 21 in a road test versus Fork Union Military Academy that starts at 3 p.m.

Photo by Joel Brown

Photos by Robby Fletcher

Left, wide receiver Riley Roarty makes a catch in traffic for his first touchdown against Collegiate on Oct. 14. Right, defensive back Khamari Veney runs after an interception in the first half.

INTERIMAPPOINTMENT

BOARDOFSUPERVISORS,DISTRICT4

PUBLICNOTICE

TheGoochlandCountyBoardofSupervisorsinvitesqualifiedvotersinElection District4toexpresstheirinterestinfillingtheinterimroleasBoardmemberfor ElectionDistrict4bycompletingtheapplicationavailableontheCounty’swebsite at:https://www.goochlandva.us/formcenter/boards-and-commissions-13/boardsand-commissions-application-56

Allindividualsseekingconsiderationareinvitedtosubmittheirapplicationby 9:00p.m.Sunday,October23,2022.

Tobeeligible,individualsmustresidewithintheDistrict4boundariesadoptedafter the2021redistricting.

TheBoardofSupervisorswillbemakingthisappointmentatitsmeetingon November1,2022.Thepersonappointedshallexerciseallpowersoftheoffice andshallserveuntilthequalifiedvoterselectarepresentativethroughGeneral ElectiontobeheldonTuesday,November7,2023,andtheelectedcandidate hasqualified.

TheBoardofSupervisorsisthegoverningbodythatoverseestheoperationof countygovernmentandhaslegislative,executive,andquasi-judicialpowersthat implementand,asnecessary,refinethelocalapplicationofstatelawandpublic policy.TheBoardofSupervisorscollectivelyisresponsiblefortheadoptionof anannualbudgetoutliningtheexpendituresofallbranchesoftheCountyon afiscal-yearbasis,capitalimprovementplans,countypolicies,programsand projectsfortransportation,theenvironment,landuse,healthcare,humanservices, housing,economicdevelopmentandmanyotherservicesthatdirectlyimpactall countyresidentsandbusinesses,approveorrejectlanduseproposals,andmake appointmentstovariousauthoritiesandcommissionsthatservecountyresidents andbusinesses.TheBoardalsoappointstheCountyAdministratorandCounty Attorneytoprovideprofessionaloversighttoday-to-daycountyoperations.

TheBoardofSupervisorsmeetsaminimumofonetimemonthly;additionally, Boardmembersparticipateincountlesscommittee,constituent,andother relatedfunctions.

PUBLICHEARINGNOTICE

GoochlandCountyBoardofSupervisors

Tuesday,November1,2022,6:00PM

GoochlandCountyAdministrationBuilding

1800SandyHookRd.,P.O.Box10,Goochland,VA23063 BoardMeetingRoomSuite250

Viewcountymeeting:https://www.goochlandva.us/1154/County-Meetings

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2022District5;2011District5-CU-2022-00012ApplicationbySteven& LauraMaestrellorequestingaConditionalUsePermitforadetachedaccessory familyhousinguniton15.01acresat6RoadsEndLaneonTaxMapNo.67-100-24-0.ThepropertyiszonedResidential,Limited(R-1).TheConditionalUse PermitisrequiredbyCountyZoningOrdinanceSection15-152,inaccordance withSection15-285.A.TheComprehensivePlandesignatesthisareaasSingle FamilyResidential,MediumDensity.

2022Districts4&5;2011Districts 4&5-CU-1989-00014BApplication byColumbiaGasTransmission,LLC/TCEnergyrequestingamendmentto ConditionalUsePermitCU-1989-00014Atoexpandtheexistingnaturalgas compressorstationon29.6acresat1436HermitageRoadonTaxMapNo. 58-1-0-24-0.ThepropertyiszonedAgricultural,Limited(A-2).TheConditional UsePermitisrequiredbyCountyZoningOrdinanceSection15-112. TheComprehensivePlandesignatesthisareaasRuralEnhancement.

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PUBLIC NOTICE LANDUSEREVALIDATIONAPPLICATIONS FOR GOOCHLANDCOUNTY AREDUENOVEMBER1,2022

All completed Land Use Revalida tion Applica tions shall be filed withtheCountyAssessor’sOfficenolaterthanNovember1ofeach year;however,arevalidationformmaybefiledafterNovember 1,butnolaterthanDecember5ofeachyearifalatefilingfeeof $25.00ispaid.Failuretorevalidateanapplicationasprovidedinthis sectionwillinvalidatetheapplicationandwillcausetherealproperty describedinsuchapplicationtobeassessedatitsfairmarketvalue forthefollowingtaxyearandsubsequenttaxyears.Ownerofsuch realpropertymaysubmitanewapplicationforthefollowingyear inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisdivision.GoochlandCounty CodeSec.13-38.

NORevalidationApplicationswillbeacceptedifthereare delinquenttaxesonanypropertiesintheprogram.

TheAssessor’sOfficewillbereceivingtheRevalidation Applicationsbymail,emailoratouroffice,attheGoochland CountyAdministrationBuilding,1800SandyHookRoad–Room120. MondaythroughFriday,8:30a.m.-5:00p.m.Phone:(804)556-5853 Email:Assessor@goochlandva.us

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ApprovalofaBoundaryLineAgreementbetweenGoochlandandLouisa Counties.Thisagreementistocorrectthemisalignmentof10parcelsofland, locatedintheareasofOldFredericksburgRoad,NewlineRoad,BroadStreet Road,HighGrovesubdivision,andThreeChoptRoad.Ninepropertiesare beingmovedfromLouisatoGoochlandandonepropertyisbeingtransferred fromGoochlandtoLouisa.Theindividualpropertyownershavebeenmailed anoticeoftheproposedchange.AcopyoftheBoundaryLineAgreement, whichincludestheparcelnumbersofthepropertiesaffected,isavailableinthe CountyAdministrator’sOffice.

AuthorizationforCountyAdministratortoExecuteaLeaseAgreementbetween theCountyofGoochlandandFireflyFiberBroadbandtolocateaFiberHutfor theRegionalInternetServiceExpansion(RISE)Project.

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Benefitsofthispart-time,contractopportunitywiththe RichmondTimes-Dispatchteam:

• Manageyourownschedule andfreeupmostofyourday; workonly3-4hoursbetween1-6a.m.daily

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AllyouneedisadependablevehicleandavalidVirginiadriver’s licenseforconsideration.

Signingbonusisforalimitedtime,sodon’tmissout. ContactusNOWatRichmond.com/Carriersor (804)649-6872tolearnmore.

DeputyClerk:804.556-5811 E-mail:countyadmin@goochlandva.us. Website:www.goochlandva.us.

PUBLICHEARINGNOTICE

GoochlandCountyPlanningCommission Thursday,November3,2022,6:45p.m.(notebelowstarttimes)

1800SandyHookRd.,BoardMeetingRoomSuite250,Goochland,VA23063 MeetingisOpentothePublic

Viewcountymeeting:https://www.goochlandva.us/1154/County-Meetings

IFYOUHAVECOMMENTSONTHESEPUBLICHEARINGITEMS,PLEASESENDCOMMENTSTO PCCOMMENT@GOOCHLANDVA.USORCONTACT804-556-5863.

PLEASECHECKWWW.GOOCHLANDVA.USFORANYUPDATESREGARDINGTHISMEETING.

6:45p.m.–BoardFollowUp

7:00p.m.–PublicHearings

2022District5;2011District5

CU-2012-00002AApplicationbyYWLHoldings,LLCrequestingrenewalofConditionalUsePermitCU-2012-00002tooperatea landscapingsupplybusinesslocatedwithinthefloodfringeportionofthe100-yearfloodplainon14.30acresat12290Patterson AvenueonTaxMapNo.64-1-0-78-A.ThepropertyiszonedBusiness,General(B-1).TheConditionalUsePermitisrequiredby CountyZoningOrdinanceSection15-460,inaccordancewithSections15-464and14-459.TheComprehensivePlandesignates thisareaasCommercial.

CountyWide

ZOA-2022-00001OrdinanceamendingZoningOrdinanceSections15-102and15-272(Usesandstructurespermittedbyright (P)orbyconditionalusepermit(CUP))toallowlimitedmeatprocessingfacilitiesbyconditionalusepermitintheAgricultural, General(A-1)andIndustrial,General(M-2)Districts;toaddusetoSection15-500(Definitions);andtoamendSections 15-283(Commercial/Industrial)and15-331(ParkingandLoadingRequirements)toaddusestandardsandparkingandloading requirements.

2022District1;2011District1

CU-2022-00014ApplicationbyHaysGottwaldrequestingaConditionalUsePermitforlimitedmeatprocessingfacilityona 25.19-acreportionofTaxMapNo.6-1-0-55-0atOldFredericksburgRoad.ThisportionofthepropertyiszonedAgricultural, General(A-1).TheConditionalUsePermitisrequiredbyCountyZoningOrdinanceSection15-102,inaccordancewithSection 15-283.H.TheComprehensivePlandesignatesthisareaasRuralEnhancement.

2022District1;2011District1

RZ-2022-00009ApplicationbyOliver’sTrailLLCrequestingarezoningof89.504acresfromAgricultural,General(A-1)to Residential,Preservation(R-P),withprofferedconditions,atNewLineRoadandCabinRoadonTaxMapNos.13-1-0-28-0and 13-1-0-10-0.TheComprehensivePlandesignatesthisareaasRuralEnhancement.

CountyWide

ZOA-2022-00002OrdinanceamendingZoningOrdinanceSections15-102,15-112,15-132,15-142,15-152,15-162,15-172, 15-182,15-192,15-204,15-214,15-232,15-242,15-252,15-262,and15-272(Usesandstructurespermittedbyright(P)or byconditionalusepermit(CUP))toallowenergystoragefacilitiesbyconditionalusepermitintheAgricultural,General(A-1), Agricultural,Limited(A-2),Industrial,Limited(M-1),andIndustrial,General(M-2)Districts;toallowprincipalsolarenergyfacilities byconditionalusepermitintheAgricultural,General(A-1)District;toallowsupplementarysolarenergyfacilitiesbyconditional usepermitintheIndustrial,Limited(M-1),andIndustrial,General(M-2)Districts;andtoallowaccessorysolarenergyfacilitiesas apermitteduseinallzoningdistrictsexcepttheAgricultural,Intensive(A-3)District;toaddusestoSection15-500(Definitions); andtoamendSection15-289(Renewableenergy)toaddusestandards.

Anyonemayattendtoexpressopinionsontheabove. FulltextoftheaboveinformationisavailableinthePlanningOffice, 1800SandyHookRoad,Suite280 Goochland,VA23063 MondaythroughFriday,8:30a.m.–5:00p.m. Meetingaccommodationsincluding interpretersareprovideduponrequest. Telephone:556-5860(TDD711(VirginiaRelay)) E-mail:countyadmin@goochlandva.us. Website:www.goochlandva.us.