The Goochland Gazette – 11/03/2022

Hillman set to serve as emergency management coordinator

Contributed report

Goochland County has hired longtime volunteer Robin Hillman as the county’s new emergency management coordinator for the Department of Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services.

Hillman is a 40-year volunteer Lifetime Member of the Goochland County Department of Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services assigned to Crozier Company 2 and Fire-Rescue Administration. She started her volunteer service in 1982 at Centerville Company 3, serving as a rescue squad member, certifying as an emergency medical technician and serving in numerous company leadership roles.

In 2002, Hillman was appointed as the volunteer deputy emergency management coordinator and has been instrumental in the success of Goochland’s emergency management program.

Hillman was most recently employed by cxLoyalty, a JP Morgan

Project offers students chance to connect with local veterans

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

When Goochland High School history teacher Rachel Tate first began bringing her 11th grade students together to record the stories of local veterans, she couldn’t help but worry how the interactions might go.

After all, what could a high school junior and a military veteran possibly have to talk about?

As it turns out, Tate soon learned, quite a lot.

In fact, Tate says that while she had initially worried that some students taking part in the Goochland High

GCSO is ditching razors to help raise awareness

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

If you’ve noticed Goochland’s local law enforcement officers looking a little scruffier lately, there is no cause for alarm— the Goochland Sheriff’s Office hasn’t relaxed any of its policies. Instead, the stubble you see is all about lending support to local nonprofits through the annual No Shave November fundraiser.

As Goochland County Sheriff Steven Creasey explained during the District 4 and 5 town hall meeting on Oct. 26, officers have traditionally taken part in No Shave November as a way to support cancer patients facing hair loss due to treatment.

This year, as Creasey noted, officers got an early start and began forgoing their razors in late October. Creasey also announced that this year the GCSO is supporting the Matthew Smiles Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of depression in teens.

Started in 2020 by Lou and Julie Cabral after the tragic loss of their son Matthew to suicide, Matthew Smiles offers resources

HILLMAN

Photo courtesy of Goochland County Public Schools Col. Bill Parrish being interviewed by Hadley Peskin, Mariel Grebe, and Perry Nuckols discusses his military service with students from Goochland High School during a breakfast held in honor of local veterans. He is currently taking part in the Goochland Veterans Project, an effort to honor local veterans and promote student leadership, civic engagement and community involvement.

Veterans

School Veterans Project might find themselves running low on things to talk about, she wound up having to usher some groups to the school library so they could continue their conversations long after the allotted time had been used up.

Now several months into its first year, the Goochland Veterans Project connects GHS students with local veterans in an effort to promote student leadership, civic engagement, community involvement and respect for veterans. Students taking part in the program are paired with a local veteran volunteer to “adopt” for the entire school year. Veterans are also asked to participate in various events throughout the year with their students, such as the coin toss at football games,

the Goochland Day parade and Wreaths Across America.

Veterans and students will also take a field trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials of the wars in which their veterans served and then spend the rest of the day at the Museum of American History.

George Mitchell, who enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1968 when he was 18, admits he was initially worried about what he might be asked during his interview. He knew there were certain things he didn’t want to discuss, but once he sat down with the students those fears were put to rest.

“The kids were fantastic,” said Mitchell. “They were really interested in what we had to say—they were just so sharp.”

The Goochland Veterans Project is based on a similar program launched at Poquoson High School by Tate’s mother, Becky Morrison, who, like her

daughter, teaches U.S. History. The two taught together at Poquoson and worked on the project side-by-side before Tate married and moved to Goochland, and Tate says she knew the Goochland community would embrace the effort.

It is undoubtedly Tate’s indomitable energy that has helped drive the Goochland Veterans Project’s success. Once she got the go-ahead to launch the effort at Goochland High School, she immediately set out to spread the word and encourage as many local veterans as possible to participate. From Rotary Club meetings to American Legion events, she continued to reach out to anyone who wanted to share their story with students.

Tate says many of the students have formed strong bonds with the veterans they interviewed and often invite them to school events.

Josh Usry was in Tate’s class last year and serves as an intern with the program, meaning in part that he helps facilitate the conversations between students and veterans during their interview sessions.

Usry plays football for the GHS Bulldogs, serves as the executive officer for the school’s Marine Corp JROTC program, and hopes to join the military himself. For him, being part of GVP has meant getting the chance to honor true heroes.

“You get to hear about how much these people have sacrificed to make America the country that it is, and then you see the realization moment when the students begin to understand it,” said Usry. He knows that so many of the Vietnam veterans were never welcomed home—and in some cases were even seen as the enemy—and

continued from >1

Photo courtesy of Goochland County Public Schools Elijah Isom and Kole Bradley interviewing Mr. Knight Bowles, who served as a Captain in the Navy and local veteran Knight Bowles go over questions during an interview for the Goochland Veterans Project.

Veterans

School Veterans Project might find themselves running low on things to talk about, she wound up having to usher some groups to the school library so they could continue their conversations long after the allotted time had been used up.

Now several months into its first year, the Goochland Veterans Project connects GHS students with local veterans in an effort to promote student leadership, civic engagement, community involvement and respect for veterans. Students taking part in the program are paired with a local veteran volunteer to “adopt” for the entire school year. Veterans are also asked to participate in various events throughout the year with their students, such as the coin toss at football games,

the Goochland Day parade and Wreaths Across America.

Veterans and students will also take a field trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials of the wars in which their veterans served and then spend the rest of the day at the Museum of American History.

George Mitchell, who enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1968 when he was 18, admits he was initially worried about what he might be asked during his interview. He knew there were certain things he didn’t want to discuss, but once he sat down with the students those fears were put to rest.

“The kids were fantastic,” said Mitchell. “They were really interested in what we had to say—they were just so sharp.”

The Goochland Veterans Project is based on a similar program launched at Poquoson High School by Tate’s mother, Becky Morrison, who, like her

daughter, teaches U.S. History. The two taught together at Poquoson and worked on the project side-by-side before Tate married and moved to Goochland, and Tate says she knew the Goochland community would embrace the effort.

It is undoubtedly Tate’s indomitable energy that has helped drive the Goochland Veterans Project’s success. Once she got the go-ahead to launch the effort at Goochland High School, she immediately set out to spread the word and encourage as many local veterans as possible to participate. From Rotary Club meetings to American Legion events, she continued to reach out to anyone who wanted to share their story with students.

Tate says many of the students have formed strong bonds with the veterans they interviewed and often invite them to school events.

Josh Usry was in Tate’s class last year and serves as an intern with the program, meaning in part that he helps facilitate the conversations between students and veterans during their interview sessions.

Usry plays football for the GHS Bulldogs, serves as the executive officer for the school’s Marine Corp JROTC program, and hopes to join the military himself. For him, being part of GVP has meant getting the chance to honor true heroes.

“You get to hear about how much these people have sacrificed to make America the country that it is, and then you see the realization moment when the students begin to understand it,” said Usry. He knows that so many of the Vietnam veterans were never welcomed home—and in some cases were even seen as the enemy—and

continued from >1

Photo courtesy of Goochland County Public Schools Elijah Isom and Kole Bradley interviewing Mr. Knight Bowles, who served as a Captain in the Navy and local veteran Knight Bowles go over questions during an interview for the Goochland Veterans Project.

Obituaries

CHARLES BENNETT

Charles Gardner Bennett, age 69, of Goochland, went to be with the Lord on October 15, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren Bennett and Dorothy Gardner Bennett of Worthington, Ohio. He is survived by his true love, his wife of 23 years, Susan Lackey Bennett; and their two beloved rescue dogs, Daisy and Penny. Chuck grew up in Ohio, enlisted in the Army and served in Korea at the DMZ. After

BENNETT

an honorable discharge, he graduated from Ohio State University Flight School and spent his career in his cherished profession as an airplane pilot, where he made many life-long friends. Chuck was fun-loving, genuine and kind and enjoyed the outdoors and the beauty of God’s creation as expressed in nature. He loved being a part of Susan’s extended family with her mom; brother, Mike; and sister, Karen; and nieces and nephews, frying the turkey for large family gatherings, generously sharing his knowledge and expertise with the younger ones and taking the nephews hunting and sharing his love of nature. He especially loved spending time with his wife, Susan and being a

great Dog Dad to the rescue dogs they shared their lives with over the years. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 12 at 1 p.m. at Gum Spring United Methodist Church, 191 Cross County Road, Gum Spring, Va. 23065. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel To Towers at T2T.org. Online condolences may be shared at https://lacyfh.com/obituary/.

JO ANNE JACOBS

Jo Anne Wood Jacobs, of Orlando, Fla., passed away in the early morning of October 24, 2022, at her home, sur-

Interviews

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says it’s important for people to see that “they were just doing their jobs.”

Tate says the entire experience so far has been tremendously rewarding, but perhaps never so much as when a veteran has shares what it has meant to them.

“They will tell us sometimes ‘I didn’t know anybody still cared’ about their service,” Tate says. “To be able to recognize them is really special.”

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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.

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

Kitchens/Baths

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.

Family Storytime will be held from 10:30 -11 a.m. at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library. Participants will enjoy a fun time with books, singing, 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.

Toddler and Preschool Storytime will be held at the

rounded by loved ones. She was born November 15, 1936 to the late Nancy and Samuel Wood of Rock CastleGoochland, Va. Jo Anne was also preceded in death by her older brother, Dowell T. Wood; and younger brother, Samuel M. Wood. She was a devoted wife to the late Reuben “Jake” Jacobs; and is survived by her three children: sons, Reuben “Buddy” Jacobs Jr. and Eli Jacobs; and daughter, Nancy Jo Jacobs. Jo Anne was a golf enthusiast to say the least and was an

JACOBS

upstanding member of West Orange Country Club in Winter Garden, Fla., for over 35 years. She was also a longtime member of the Greater Orlando Orchid Society and grew hundreds of various orchid varieties at her home in Orlando, Fla. Jo Anne was laid to rest on Sunday, October 30, 2022 alongside her mother, father and brother at Smyrna Baptist Church, 1470 Rock Castle Road, Goochland, Va. 23063. A viewing took place at the church at 1 p.m. with interment following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you send donations to Smyrna Baptist Church. Arrangements are being handled by Norman Funeral Chapel in Goochland, Va.

Community Calendar

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.

First Friday Films will be held from 4 -6 p.m. at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library. Round up the neighborhood crew and catch a fulllength feature film the first Friday of every month. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information.

Saturday, Nov. 5

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.

Thursday, Nov. 10

West for more information.

Friday Book Group will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 11 a.m. – noon for those ages 18 and up. Call (804) 556-4774 for more information.

Family Storytime will be held from 10:30 -11 a.m. at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library. Participants will enjoy a fun time with books, singing, 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.

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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) 5565854.

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

Saturday, Nov. 12

The Goochland Rotary Club is having a Brunswick Stew sale, featuring renown local Stewmaster, Lloyd Minter. Cost is $10 per quart. The sale is by pre-order only, with pick up scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 12, between noon and 2 p.m. at Goochland Fire Station Company 2, 1529

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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

County welcomes local kids for Halloween fun

The Goochland Administration building was all decked out for Halloween Monday as county employees prepared to welcome a host of ghouls, goblins, princesses and superheroes for some trick-or-treating.

Calendar continued from >4

River Road West, Crozier. Orders must tbe placed by Wednesday, Nov. 9 at www. goochlandrotary.com or by calling Jan Kenney at (804) 839-1078.

The Goochland Library will host “The Garden of Eden,” a virtual Zoom program, 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.

Join Goochland County Parks and Rec from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a day of anime, comics, manga, cosplay, games, contests and more. This convention will be complete with both live and virtual panels, cosplay contests, raffles, tabletop gaming, a fully stocked vendor room, food trucks and an anime café to sit and enjoy your snacks, treats and meals! The cost is $15 and all ages are welcome. For more information, contact Goochland County Parks and Recreation at (804) 556-5854.

The Cochrane Rockville Branch Library will host a

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

NaNoWriMo Drop in Writea-thon from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. for those ages 12-18. Drop by the Rockville Library to work on your National Novel Writing Month project and connect with other aspiring writers. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information.

Monday, Nov. 14

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.

Tuesday, Nov. 15

The Goochland Branch

Library will host Chess Club from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. for those ages 12-18. Join the library for a night of chess with your friends, all skill levels welcome! Registration is required. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Thursday, Nov. 17

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.

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. Registration required at https://pamunkeylibrary. libcal.com/event/9562747. Call the Rockville Branch at (804) 749-3146 or visit the library for more information to register for this rewarding program.

Friday, Nov. 18

Family Storytime will be held from 10:30 -11 a.m. at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library. Participants will enjoy a fun time with books, singing, 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

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BruceBlackwell

“YourHomeisMyBusiness”

Photos courtesy of Goochland County

Coal

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

The photo, on its own, may not have told the whole story, but it was certainly worth a second look.

Pictured was a man sitting courtside at a college basketball game with a young child—which doesn’t seem

Editorial

all that odd, except that this man was wearing a pair of heavy-duty coveralls and covered in what appeared to be soot. He looked, for all the world to see, as though he had arrived in his seat by way of a long slide down an old chimney.

As the world would soon learn— after University of Kentucky men’s

OPINION:

Business Office

8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd.

likely

basketball coach John Calipari tweeted out the photo—was that the man’s name was Michael McGuire and his odd appearance was due to the fact that he had rushed to the game directly from work in order to spend time with his son. The soot was actually coal dust, the kind that hardworking people like McGuire

Thank you for being a friend

The team from the Goochland Commissioner of the Revenue’s office welcomed local trickor-treaters on Monday by dressing up as the Golden Girls (from the television show of the same name that ran from 1985 to 1992). All of the county offices were decked out for Halloween and staff spent hours greeting local kids and handing out candy.

to many

have been wearing on their faces for generations.

The photo clearly struck a chord with millions around the world, and by mid-morning last Thursday McGuire’s dedication to being a part of his son’s first college basket-

Letters to the Editor

Regarding the PACT Act, Bob Good was right

Dear Editor,

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, we have a rule that legislation must be germane, which means that we cannot include education funding in an election bill, for example. There is no such rule at the federal level. Therefore, legislation often includes “something for everyone” many times in bills that are hundreds of pages long. They do this on purpose. This practice allows politicians in D.C. to campaign and solicit contributions based on the part of the bill they favor. True legislators like Bob Good look beyond the political rhetoric. He supports and opposes legislation based on sound principles and reasoning.

The recent PACT Act, which will cost $681 billion to implement, is a stellar example of this “something for everyone” practice.

Our legislators could have passed a bill that decreased the wait times for our veterans and ensured quality care for veterans who served near burn pits. They didn’t. Check the facts: Bob Good supported the alternative bill that did just that because he is a strong supporter of our military and law enforcement.

But a simple, clean bill like the one Bob Good supported wasn’t good enough for the Democratic-controlled United States House of Representatives. They had to include provisions that abused a budget gimmick by shifting $397 billion in discretionary spending to mandatory spending into perpetuity.

VA

© 2022 by Richmond Suburban Newspapers. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not

I am a widow of a Vietnam-era service-disabled United States Marine and I assure you that veterans’ issues are at the top of my priority list, but so is keeping our Republic. This out-ofcontrol spending must stop.

Bob Good has supported numerous veterans’ bills, many of which were expensive. So, it is patently false that he does not support veterans — he just wants the money appropriated to be spent on veterans – not budget gimmicks.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Brown

Resourcefulness results in lunch ‘in the bag’

By Emily Walls Ray Contributing Columnist

Sometimes, the smallest suggestions seem like a nugget of gold. Recently I was invited to a fall foliage all-girl weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains to celebrate a dear friend’s 60th birthday. Each “girl” was to plan and supply a meal for seven over the three days. The six other women possess superlative culinary skills representative of their countries of origin plus cooking talent cultivated for decades. On the other hand, my talents lie elsewhere, though I have developed a modest menu of standbys such as homemade chicken salad. I planned to do just what I had at the last girlgathering: buy walnuts, cranberries, and mix them with cut up chicken breasts using sweet Vidalia onion salad dressing as a binder. Croissants, veggies and vanilla bean ice cream would finish off the meal, followed by hot coffee.

Then I received the itinerary: my friends and I were to consume this lunch on the summit of a hike! The nagging self talk about myself hiking got loud—I am a better swimmer than hiker, my balance is terrible even though I’ve been working on it. I might slip, fall, crumple a hip or an arm. And that didn’t even cover the meal dilemma!

I told myself one needs refrigeration, mixing bowls, can openers, not to mention helping hands and encouragement to pull off the meal I had envisioned. I wanted to repeat the success of my first foray into

“catering” for my friends as I had done six months before at a lodge in Lake Anna. It had turned out so well!

I experienced sudden lethargy the day I was to pack for the trip. All I wanted to do was nap or eat chocolate. The precipice of near self defeat was looming near…until I remembered the resourceful nature of a friend who is an experienced hiker, and rumbled through my own pantry for ideas.

My friend quickly dispelled my worries about having to carry a cooler over the trail. “Freeze the chicken salad in flat freezer bags to eliminate the need for ice or a cooler,” she said. “Then wrap them in ‘cold’ bags like you can buy in the grocery store.”

That is exactly what I did. Though my previous lethargy gave me a late start, This one suggestion turned my attitude around. Suddenly I felt energized and excited about my contribution to the camper’s cuisine. It got me thinking about saving space in the backpack. A peek into the pantry rewarded me with a package of wraps purchased to make tortillas. They would make the perfect spacesaving substitute for croissants.

I made a list of cheese sticks, raisins and wheat crackers to complement the chicken salad wraps. Dessert would be the big kind of Pepperidge Farm cookies, milk chocolate and white macadamia nut instead of ice cream. Water bottles instead of iced tea provided the beverage for this meal.

Three of us divided the meal to carry in our backpacks. They

were light enough.

My hostess had provided walking or hiking sticks for the time on the trail. I was surprised at the immediate help with balance, even on rocky footpaths covered thick with freshly fallen leaves. Even when I lost my balance and briefly fell, I jumped up and said, “I’m okay!”

Trail etiquette was on display by everyone we encountered. First, my hiking companions were encouraging and patient. Likewise, when hikers not in our group needed to pass us, we stood aside and let them pass, sort of like golf course manners, if I am remembering correctly from some 30 years ago. Hikers, families and a short haired pointer were happy to be out in the mountains on such a blue-sky day. Once we reached Raven’s Roost, we all seven sat along a large rock and unpacked our picnic. I made the chicken salad roll ups and we passed everything down the line assembly style.

After our hike, any food would have been welcomed, but this simple meal hit all the marks for me. The previously frozen packs perfectly preserved the cold meat. There was very little left over. Of course we packed up all the trash and started our hike back, singing Girl Scout songs, and a couple from “The Sound of Music.” Our merry little band was composed of representatives from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Alabama, Austria and Germany. Though several of the group have been friends for decades, we all felt like good friends by the end of the visit.

As for my culinary contribution, I “had it in the bag.” After that lunch, knowing I had successfully taken “my turn,” I was able to relax and enjoy the other equally thought-out and delicious meals that made the weekend that much more enjoyable. The best part, of course, was the old and new friendships that made it all possible. Taking the time to savor and enjoy the blessings of each year on God’s beautiful earth is cause for celebration indeed

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/.

Coal miner continued from >6

ball experience had gone viral. Reached by reporters, his wife attested to the fact that her husband is hardworking and humble, and does everything he can to support his family.

I suspect, as is often the case, that the photo probably meant different things to different people. Calipari, for one, tweeted that seeing McGuire reminded him that his own family’s American dream had begun in the mines of West Virginia. But I would also guess there were many who saw something instantly recognizable in the photo. I know I did.

Having been a sports reporter years ago, I can easily recall seeing parents in the stands who had come directly from work to see their children play one sport or another, their stained clothes and mud-covered work boots a testament to the tough work they’d spent their days doing. Looking around during

a high school softball game or a little league football matchup, the stands would be filled with nursing scrubs, safety vests or blue shirts with the kind of nametag that gets stitched into place. Many attendees would still have grease still on their hands and the day’s worries etched on their faces, but would not have considered missing a game.

As we all know, raising children is not for the faint of heart and often requires tremendous sacrifice. But I can’t help but suspect that somewhere in his mind Mike McGuire may be just a bit amused at the notion of being rewarded with accolades for what he did last week. After all, it would be tough to find a better reward than the pure joy written across his son’s face as he took in his first game.

Good on Calipari for highlighting McGuire’s efforts. And good on parents everywhere for moving mountains to make special moments that their children will never forget.

Letters continued from >6

Honoring and protecting our veterans should be one of our nation’s highest priorities. It is

our duty to honor and protect those who serve our nation and protect our freedoms. I support our veterans. I also support keeping our Republic through fiscal responsibil-

ity and I support Bob Good for Congress. Thank God for principled legislators like him.

Thank you, Susan Lascolette Columbia

Cadets fall to 6-3 after senior night battle

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

Benedictine

football

took on St. Michael the Archangel on its senior day on Saturday, Oct. 29, and while the Cadets weren’t able to pull away with their seventh win of the season, they were able to send off 23 seniors with a special ceremony that celebrated their time with the program.

The 20-15 loss at the hands of the Warriors (6-3) was the Cadets’ third loss of the season and their second on their home field.

Despite racking up 366 yards of total offense and 270 through the air compared to the Warriors’ 296 total yards, three interceptions and the timely big play ability of the road team played a big part in the Cadets’ loss.

After going down by 14 at halftime, the Cadets got on the board early in the third quarter after senior quarterback Wes Buleza connected with wide receiver Riley Roarty, one of his

favorite targets, for a 16-yard touchdown. Buleza floated the pass into the left corner of the end zone near the corner marker and saw Roarty come down with the back-shoulder score to make it a 14-6 game.

The Warriors immediately got back up by two scores on the ensuing kickoff though, tak-

ing it to the house for a touchdown to put them up 20-6.

The Cadets fought back again though, and Buleza connected for his second touchdown pass of the afternoon when he found tight end Luca Puccinelli for another red zone score that saw the popular tight end recruit breeze past two

defenders and come down with the over-the-shoulder reception with one last defender in his face. After the possession, the lead was cut down to just five, 20-15.

The Cadets again gave themselves a chance at taking the lead late in the fourth quarter, when the defense got

a stop on a Warriors possession in the red zone that resulted in a fumbled snap that the home team fell on. After that, Buleza displayed his ability to play offschedule, leaving the pocket and bombing a ball down the field to Roarty for 48 yards. Still, the Cadets couldn’t capitalize, and the Warriors were able to

pull away with the road victory.

Benedictine has one last regular season game left on its schedule, with a road matchup looming against Saint John Paul the Great (2-8) on Friday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.

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

Collegiate head coach Palyo to retire after 16 seasons

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

For the first time in 16 years, the Collegiate Cougars will have a new head coach roaming the sidelines.

Mark Palyo, who began his career at Collegiate as an assistant on Charlie McFall’s coaching staff from 1985-1989 and 1999-2006 and took over as head coach in 2006, is stepping down from his coaching role, the school announced in a press release.

“When you look at his decades of service and the number of championships he’s been part of, Mark is in the absolute most rarefied air of Collegiate School coaches,” said athletic director Andrew Stanley. “His impact as a steadying presence in the hallways of the Upper School is noteworthy in a day and age when that dual role of coach and educator is becoming rarer in high school sports.

“His ability to continue to lead competitive football teams playing highly challenging

schedules speaks to the quality and expertise of his coaching, his grace under pressure and ability to handle stress, and his ability to motivate and inspire young people.”

Palyo will finish out the season with the Cougars, who currently hold a 4-5 record. In his tenure at Collegiate, Palyo’s teams boast an 89-55 record, complete with four Prep League and two VISAA championships, with the most previous title coming in 2016. Palyo has also been recognized with a Prep League Coach of

the Year award in 2013 and multiple Prep League and A.L. “Stretch” Gardner sportsmanship awards.

“What I’ve tried to do over all my years is instill the School’s core values,” Paylo said. The football field is a classroom, and any of the lessons they learn out there they will carry with them the rest of their lives.”

A well-respected and influential teacher of the game, Palyo is already seeing former players come out and discuss his impact on their develop-

ment as student-athletes.

“It’s almost impossible for me to begin to describe the impact Coach Palyo has had on me and countless others that have come through Collegiate, and more specifically the football program,” former Collegiate player Luke Walker said. “Coach Palyo brings a sense of wit and natural charisma to every situation, which has undoubtedly resulted in great success during his tenure as head coach of the football team. On a personal level, he is an exemplary men-

tor and a great friend.”

While no longer working with the team, Palyo will stay on the Collegiate teaching staff as well as maintain his role as Upper School Dean of Students. Collegiate is currently in the process of interviewing coaching candidates, with an announcement on their final decision expected to come after the 2022-23 season.

“We are excited about the foundation that Mark laid,’’ Stanely said. “The future of Collegiate football is bright because of Mark’s work.”

Photos by Andy Garrigue

Left, Benedictine tight end Luca Puccinelli runs through a tackle after receiving a pass from quarterback Wes Buleza in the team’s senior night game against St. Michael the Archangel on Oct. 29. The Cadets fell in the home game, 20-15. Right, senior running back David Ngendakuriyo runs with the ball down the sideline.

Smith’s senior night score lifts Gators to 1-0 win

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

It took only one shot to go through the cage for there to be declared a winner in Saint Gertrude’s senior night meeting versus Saint John Paul the Great on Oct. 26, but that one goal would be enough for the Gators, who won their home finale and recorded their third straight victory.

“I always say that mentality makes or breaks a team, and I feel like that’s something we really improved on this year, and that’s why we got the win today,” said senior Virginia Lee.

Lee, along with fellow soon-to-be graduates Annie Smith, Tabitha Pickral, Maya McClellan, Carolyn Cogswell, Adrienne Rodgers and Camille Boyd, preaches that the senior night victory and

the resulting win streak is just a culmination of strong teambuilding and chemistry that has helped the field hockey program build up to a 5-11 record.

“Winning today felt super good because we’ve worked for this all season, and we all really deserved it. I know it’s cliche to say, but we’re all really like sisters,” Pickral said.

Smith, who scored the goahead goal early in the second quarter off a pass sent in by freshman Ella Massie, says this class learned and built on their game from the previous seniors leading the charge on last year’s team, and hopes that same leadership they imparted on current underclassmen leads to similar results.

“We definitely lost a lot of really good players last year, but we got some really good freshmen, and the team as a

whole is really coming together,” Smith said. “The program’s getting better.”

It was also another strong performance defending the net from Boyd, who denied hectic rebounds and aggressive drives into the striking

circle while her team held onto its 1-0 advantage.

“I’m so excited to see all our hard work finally paying off, and it’s just a big deal, especially as a senior knowing we’re leaving the program in really good hands in the

future,” Boyd said after the game.

Coaches Regina Ryan and Heather Nichols have done well in their short time at SGHS to develop that familylike connection between players, many of whom picked up their sticks for the first time in high school.

“This team is really like a family, and we play well with each other,” Rodgers commented.

While the team had just two wins in its first 13 games, the patience and emphasis on building through every game and practice has accumulated in a stellar conclusion to the season that’s seen the Gators shut out all three opponents during their streak.

“I’m very proud of the girls this season, our mentality definitely changed throughout the season with our positiv-

ity,” McClellan said. “For the future field hockey teams, we want them to strive in the years forward, and I feel like we left them with a good path.”

With the LIS playoffs now shifting into focus and a first round matchup with a tough St. Anne’s-Belfield team that won its last two meeting against Saint Gertrude, the girls will look to continue their hot finish to the season in a game that has them pegged as underdogs.

Regardless of the outcome, the senior Gators of today fully intend to return to their old stomping grounds to see how the next batch of leaders carry the torch for the program they’ve helped develop.

“I love this team with my entire heart, every girl on it,” Cogswell said. “I can’t wait to come back next year and see how they’re doing.”

Gallery: SGHS and Benedictine celebrate their seniors

Photo by Robby Fletcher SGHS senior Annie Smith, who scored the winning goal on her senior night on Oct. 26, makes a play on the ball in the second half versus Saint John Paul the Great.

Contributed Photos

Left, Saint Gertrude’s senior class of volleyball players were celebrated in the team’s home game versus Veritas on Oct. 27. The Gators won in three sets. Middle, the Gators and Cadets cross country runners were recognized at halftime of the Benedictine and St. Michael the Archangel football game. They recently competed in the State Catholic Meet. Right, the Benedictine soccer team had its senior day in a meeting with Woodberry Forest on Oct. 25. The Cadets fell 1-0 in that game.

Commonwealth releases new unclaimed property program

Contributed report

Governor Glenn Youngkin recently announced that Virginia Department of the Treasury Unclaimed Property Division has launched their new KAPS program and website to manage the administration, reporting and claiming of unclaimed property. This new userfriendly website makes it easier for citizens to identify and more quickly claim their unclaimed property.

“The Commonwealth’s new website and system streamline the claims process which allows us to expedite the return of unclaimed funds to the

rightful owners,” said Youngkin.

Virginia’s consumer protection law requires businesses to turn unclaimed property over to the state, relieving the business of the financial liability. Virginia holds unclaimed property as the custodian until the rightful owner, or heir, files a claim. Unclaimed property can be dormant or inactive accounts such as securities or investments, bank accounts, unpaid wages, money from insurance policies, tangible property, etc. Since this program was created in 1961, over $1 billion in unclaimed prop-

erty has been returned to citizens.

Treasury’s new KAPS program is utilized by over 30 states and provides complete management for the entire unclaimed property process from reporting to the successful payment of claims to citizens. The new website instantly creates claims and allows claimants to securely upload their documents from any smartphone or computer. It also has a fast-track processing feature that will expedite any claims that can be quickly verified by the system. Outreach efforts to inform Virginians about unclaimed

property include annual newspaper inserts distributed throughout the Commonwealth, collaborations with organizations and media, Treasury’s website, remote call events and proactive mailings.

“Our mission is to protect the property of our citizens and return these assets to the rightful owner,” said Secretary of Finance Stephen Cummings. “This public service comes at no cost to citizens and returns millions each year to our citizens.”

Be aware of unauthorized feebased services and always make

sure to work with Treasury department to claim your unclaimed property through our website www. VaMoneySearch.gov. This website allows individuals to search the Commonwealth’s unclaimed property database and begin the claim process immediately.

“One in four Virginians has unclaimed property so we encourage all Virginians to search our free website for their unclaimed property,” said Virginia Treasurer David Richardson. “There is no deadline, and no fees will be charged to claim your property.”

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Pouncey Tract Road for more information.

Saturday, Nov. 19

The American Legion will be hosting a Brunswick Stew, and will be selling stew from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Goochland’s American Legion Post 215 is located at 3386 River Rd W, in Goochland.

Tween Bingo will be held at the Goochland Branch

Library from 2 - 3 p.m. for those ages 8-14. Calling all “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “Dork Diaries” fans to the Goochland Branch Library for Tween Bingo. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

Tuesday, Nov. 22

Mystery Book Club will be held at the Goochland Branch Library from 1011 a.m. for those ages 18 & up. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

you’re normally content acting on a whim, but this week you may want to plan your schedule with a bit more detail. Think about what to accomplish.

When considering a situation, remember there is more than meets the Taurus. Dig a little deeper and you may uncover the truth. Remember to ask the right questions.

Gemini, you have an entire team rallying in your corner this week. You can use a little extra support. All you need to do is speak up and others will come to your aid.

Few things escape your notice, Cancer. However, this week something may just sneak by you. Don’t fret too much, as it’s not really vital. But try to focus better.

There’s a million things going on in your life this week, Leo. You need to zero in on one or two tasks and get down to business; otherwise, you can easily get overwhelmed.

Virgo, listen to your heart this week. It will not guide you astray. You have some soul-searching to do right now to uncover some answers you have been seeking.

Don’t let others bring you down, Libra. Focus and maintain a positive attitude and you can do just about anything you set your mind to this week. Start making plans.

A big change is coming your way, Scorpio, and you’ve never been more ready. Adopt a receptive mindset and await all of the excitement that is coming your way.

Keep your eyes on the prize, Sagittarius. You are so close to the end result right now, so just a little more patience is needed. You’ll discover some surprising things.

There’s not much more you can add to a situation, Capricorn. When communication fails, it’s difficult to overcome obstacles. A relationship may come to an end.

Aquarius, when you put your hope in someone you can trust, the positive outcome shouldn’t be too surprising. Close friends and family will help out.

There’s so much that you are eager to learn, so why not enroll in a class or take up a new hobby, Pisces? You can continue your education.