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Colonial Beach • Westmoreland
Volume 39, Number 37
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Wednesday, September 9, 2015 50 Cents
Colonial Beach residents feel the “LOVE” at sculpture unveiling Linda Farneth The Colonial Beach Foundation and the Town of Colonial Beach and local artists unveil their LOVEwork sculpture on Sept. 4. The art piece symbolizes the unique qualities of Colonial Beach by featuring a golf cart and the word love, which is spelled out using materials such as an Osprey’s nest and Osprey, fish, flip flops, a life ring, a crab and a sand bucket and shovel. The LOVEworks program is part of the Virginia is for Lovers campaign and has provided nearly 50 sculptures around the state. About 150 guests turned out for the unveiling. Michael Cain a part-time resident was there with his young son, Hunter, and wife, Jacky. “This thing looks exactly just like Colonial Beach, it’s got love and golf carts,” Michael Cain said. Comments like “It’s really cool.”
and “I love it” were heard from the clapping, cheering crowd. Cindy Vaughan was pleased with the final product and expressed confidence that residents will embrace the sign and ensure its upkeep. “It will last as long as the love does,” she said. The statue will be monitored closely until the town secures a contract to install cameras along the boardwalk, according to Mayor Mike Ham. Trish King said the golf cart is appropriate. “I think its a fine tribute given Colonial Beach was the first town, initiating town, to have golf carts on our streets,” she said. Northern Neck Planning District Commission Executive Director Jerry Davis said the sign will be useful in promoting Colonial Beach. Sue Buzby, a Colonial Beach resident for the past seven years, was thrilled with the sculpture.
“This is the best one in the state of Virginia and I am very excited,” she said. Jen Donald, the artist who created the concept for the sculpture was so nervous during the unveiling she turned away from the statue to watch the crowds reaction. “I am elated right now and glad that we are done,” she said after the ceremony. “It was months of work for all of us together to do this. To see it now, in its new home and to see people sitting on it and enjoying it, it’s so exciting.” Mayor Mike Ham said, “I think it’s wonderful. It represents Colonial Beach. Hopefully it will help stimulate tourism.” Artists project include: Jen Donald (designer), Cathy Donovan, Kathie Moran, Doris Barbee, Katrina Price, Bryan Pemberton, Habid Ramirez, John Barber and Jim Chiarello (fabrication and assembly).
Photo by Linda Farneth
Residents of Colonial Beach celebrated Friday as the town’s new LOVEwork sign was unveiled to the public. LOVEworks is a project by the state of Virginia in connection with its “Virginia is For Lovers” ad campaign.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Senate Chaplain’s office
Photo by Linda Farneth
Dr. Barry Black, chaplain of the U.S. Senate, will speak at Colonial Beach Baptist Church on Oct. 4.
The O’Sullivan family chats with School Superintendent Kevin Newman at last week’s school open house.
U.S. Senate chaplain to visit Beach
Beach schools welcome students
Richard Leggitt Dr. Barry Black, the chaplain of the United States Senate, is scheduled to speak on Oct. 4 at a community-wide church service at the Colonial Beach Baptist Church. Chaplain Black is a highly decorated retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral who served in the Navy for 27 years and retired as the chief of all Navy chaplains. His path from the violent streets of Baltimore, where he grew up, to the U.S. Capitol, where he now serves, is a legendary tale. “This is an amazing opportunity for all of us in the Colonial Beach community to find inspiration through Chaplain Black’s life story and learn from his many challenges,” said Colonial Beach Pastor Patrick Walker. Walker, a former U.S. Army Ranger, described Black’s story as “a living testimony to the power of God and how He can exalt the humble.” Black will speak at 6 p.m. on the first
Sunday in October at a service for all residents of the area. Refreshments will be served afterward, and Dr. Black will be available to answer attendees’ questions. Dr. Black was elected chaplain of the U.S. Senate in 2003. He is the 62nd person to hold that honored title. As chaplain, Dr. Black opens the Senate each day with a prayer. He also provides counseling and spiritual ministering to senators, their families, and staff, as well as assisting with research on theological and biblical questions. Black joined the Navy as a chaplain in 1976. His first duty station was at the Norfolk Navy Base. His subsequent assignments included the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, the First Marine Aircraft Wing in Okinawa, Japan; the Naval Training Center at San Diego, CA, and service aboard the U.S.S. Belleau Wood, home ported at Long Beach, CA. He also served as
chaplain for the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet based in Norfolk. During his time in the Navy, Dr. Black was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, and two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals as well as numerous unit awards and citations. Dr. Black survived a challenging childhood in Baltimore, which he has written about in a book entitled, “From the Hood to the Hill.” He is a graduate of Oakwood College, Andrews University, North Carolina Central University, Palmer Theological Seminary, Salve Regina University, and Alliant International University. He also authored another book, “The Blessing of Adversity.” He is married to the former Brenda Pearsall of St. Petersburg, FL and they have three sons: Barry II, Brendan and Bradford.
Linda Farneth Colonial Beach Schools held their open house last Thursday Sept 3. Students attending both the elementary and high school appeared excited to begin a new school year. Many improvements have been completed just in time for the new year. The locker rooms feature white tiles, with black-and-gold trim and are equipped with automatic lights. All of the bathrooms have been updated as well. The gymnasium has new mats lining the walls and the floor has been equipped with fixtures to allow volleyball polls to be removed. The gym also has updated lighting. The parking lot has been resurfaced and fresh lines painted for parking spaces. New equipment has been added to the cafeteria, and all students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch
this year through a grant. High school students were allowed to wander the school and meet with new and old teachers. The O’Sulivan family met with Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman before going through the high school to meet with daughter Mary O’Sullivan’s teachers. Mary is going into ninth grade. She was happy to see Dr. Newman, who was her principal in elementary school at the old Douglas Campus. Mary reminisced with Dr. Newman remembering when she was in fifth grade and presented an award to him on behalf of the school board. “I was looking back. On the refrigerator is a newspaper with a picture of me giving you an award,” she said. For most students the circumstances would be reversed. Mary said, “We were really impressed with the improvements.” Mary’s passion is dancing which
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she practices four hours a day, six days a week. She wants to pursue a career in the medical field. Mary’s younger sister Shannon will attend seventh grade in the elementary school. Shannon has honed her goals a little more, saying she plans to be a pediatrician. Shannon attended the elementary school on Douglas Avenue and thinks the news modular units are a big improvement over the old school. Mr. and Mrs. O’Sullivan were very happy with everything they have seen. Mr. O’Sullivan commented about her daughter attending the new elementary, “Looking forward to it. Even just the little things, I See SCHOOLS, page 8