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T he Volume 40, Number 23
Page 8 POSTAL CUSTOMER
Colonial Beach • Westmoreland
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 50 Cents
helping you relate to your community
Montross kicks off summer Former Good Eats owner arrested for alleged murder Richard Leggitt
Photo by Terry Cosgrove
The Hard to Tell Band performed at Montross First Friday Art Walk, Music series and Market Day last weekend. Despite damp weather, the crowds were enthusiastic for the first First Friday events of the year.
After being forced to cancel First Friday and Market Day last month because of rain, organizers were determined to get the popular Montross monthly event underway last weekend. The weather was damp, but the crowds were enthusiastic. "It was drizzly but intimate," said Becky Nelson, one of the event's coordinators. "The vendors stayed, the band stayed, the rain eventually passed, but it unfortunately kept the timid away. We had several new vendors that were pleased with the experience despite the small numbers. With a little luck, we'll have dry weather and a big crowd for July!” "It was our third season of the Art Walk and fourth year of Market Day" said Montross Vice-Mayor Terry Cosgrove. "I am encouraged by our vendor lineup and we have some great bands booked for the entire season." "Now we just need a break from Mother Nature, as we were com-
See Summer, page 8
Russian artist brings oil pastel lessons Richard Leggitt A Russian-born artist who has received international acclaim for her exhibits of oil pastel art was the featured instructor at an oil pastel workshop last week at the Jarrett Thor Fine Arts gallery in Colonial Beach. Oil pastels are a relatively recent form of art for painting and drawing that has become very popular. Originally invented for children in Japan, oil pastels began to get attention when it was found that Pablo Picasso had used oil pastels on various surfaces and textures. One of the leading professionals in oil pastels is Luba Sterlikova, who has participated in oil pastel exhibits throughout the world. Sterlikova, who came to America 20 years ago and now lives in Maryland, was at the Jarrett Thor gallery last week to instruct a class of eager artists in the oil pastel medium. "We are delighted to have Luba with us again in Colonial Beach for her oil pastel workshop. She is a marvelous teacher and gets very high ratings from her students in the 'take home value' of the workshop's effort," said Carl Thor, who owns the popular art gallery with
his wife, Joyce. Oil pastel art is something between the two; it's a chalk, but also an oil. Artists find it wonderful to work with and very fast drying. "I exhibit my work in different places," said Sterlikova. "I also have my own studio where I exhibit and work." "I enjoy art and I love the process of being an artist," Sterilkova said. "It is a way of life. When you are an artist and you create art, it is the only way you can exist, basically." Sterilkova was in Colonial Beach with her husband, Vladimir Djouloukhadez, who is a ballet instructor. Djouloukhadze, who was born in the Republic of Georgia, spent decades in the spotlight as a leading dancer with the Tbilisi Ballet Theatre. His 20-year professional dance career took him all over the world as a principal dancer, a guest soloist and a coach with various companies, including the Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow Ballet and the Kiev Ballet. He now teaching ballet in the Washington area. Sterlikova’s paintings have been exhibited in the United States, Russia, Europe and Asia. Her works are in the collections of the Smithson-
Photo by Richard Leggitt
Luba Sterlikova, an internationally known artist, was in Colonial Beach last week teaching an oil pastel workshop at Jarrett Thor Fine Arts Gallery. At right is her husband, Vladimir Djouloukhadez, who is a ballet instructor and teacher. ian National Air and Space as well as The Bakshrushin Theater Arts Museum in Russia and in in private
collections around the world. The couple met after they both moved to America two decades ago.
Sheriff’s office graduates 3 deputies Richard Leggitt
The Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office has graduated three new deputies from the 138th Basic Law Enforcement Session of the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy. Deputies William England, Joshua Jones and Danny Reynolds were among the 28 graduates representing 11 law enforcement agencies graduating last week. The justice academy training consists of a 19-week regimen with emphasis on written and practical examinations including physical fitness. Courses include laws and legal process, community policing, DUI/ DUID, police professionalism, and officer safety/survival. Instruction is also given in skills training such as defensive driving and firearms. William B. England, III is a native of
Westmoreland County and a secondgeneration appointee with the sheriff’s office. England previously served for over two years as a communications officer with the sheriff's office. Jones is a graduate of Rappahannock High School. He served for over three years on active duty in the United States Army as an Infantryman and currently serves in the Army National Guard. At the justice academy, Jones was recognized as the overall top performer in physical fitness. Reynolds is a graduate of Essex High School and a graduate of Rappahannock Community College with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. “I am extremely proud and excited to have these deputies as appointees with the sheriff’s office," said Westmoreland Sheriff C.O. Balderson.
Richard Leggitt
Steve Andersen, the former owner of the Good Eats Restaurant, was arrested by Westmoreland County Sheriff 's officers Thursday and charged with first degree murder in the 2010 death of his wife, who was found frozen to death during a heavy snowstorm. Andersen, 64, of Hague was arrested at Stratford Hall where he was working as a chef after being indicted by a multi-jurisdictional grand jury May 25 in connection with the death six years ago of 49-year-old Sally Rumsey, who coowned the Kinsale area restaurant with Andersen. "The extensive, detailed and time consuming effort of Commonwealth’s Attorney Julia Sichol to review the evidence of a case that occurred before she took office was pivotal in obtaining the indictment against Mr. Anderson," said Westmoreland County Sheriff C.O. Balderson. In February, 2010, Rumsey was found dead in a snowbank in the woods behind the couple's house. Despite the snowstorm, Rumsey was dressed only in a nightgown when her body was discovered. Andersen said she had left the house in the storm but he did not know where she had gone. An autopsy revealed that she had ingested wine and Ambien prior to her death and the state medical examiner ruled her death a suicide. Westmoreland officials were concerned about discrepancies in Andersen's statements at the time and the fact that he waited two days in the freezing winter weather to report her missing. Although no criminal charges were brought in 2010, Westmoreland law officers kept investigating and their effort was spurred on when Anderson was found liable for Rumsey's death in 2014 civil suit. Anderson was ordered to pay $8 million to Rumsey’s estate and her two daughters. Sarah Thrift, Rumsey's daughter and Andersen's step-daughter, filed the wrongful death suit.
Photo courtesy of WCSO
“If my wife comes home and there’s all this police activity and publicity, my life is hell.” Steve Andersen
Thrift who alleged Andersen's actions in not searching for Rumsey in the snowstorm and failing to call authorities for help for more than 48 hours were intentional. Rumsey's youngest daughter, Schuyler Andersen, testified at the civil trial that while she initially thought her father killed her mother, she had changed her opinion after talking to her father, although she said she was troubled by the couple's frequent arguments. Andersen admitted at the civil trial that he had lied to Rumsey's friends and family about her whereabouts. He said he did not call the police right away because he would have had to answer to her when she returned home. “If my wife comes home and there’s all this police activity and publicity, my life is hell," Andersen said.
Body of fisherman recovered in Monroe Bay Richard Leggitt
Three Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Deputies have graduated from basic training at the Rappahannock Criminal Justice Academy. From left are Deputy William England, Sheriff C.O. Balderson, Deputy Joshua Jones and Deputy Danny Reynolds.
Andersen
The body of a Richmond man, who was reported missing over the weekend, was recovered from Monroe Bay in Colonial Beach Sunday. The Colonial Beach Rescue Squad called divers from Charles County, MD to search for the body after locating the missing man’s boat. The Virginia Marine Resources Police said Brian McCarthy, 44, was apparently ejected from his boat when it collided with a pier on Monroe Bay.
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Divers recovered McCarthy’s body about 5 p.m. Sunday. The marine police said the boat, an 18-foot Neptune center console, was operating at a high rate of speed when it collided with the pier in the north end of Monroe Bay. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.