08/03/2016 Colonial Beach / Westmoreland Journal

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Tax-free day

sports

News

Learn about sales tax holiday for back-toschool shopping Page 4

Bell to become a blue marlin, capping three-sport career

Police and fire department news from around the region Page 2

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T he

Colonial Beach • Westmoreland

Volume 40, Number 31

Wednesday, August 3, 2016 50 Cents

helping you relate to your community

Oak Grove hosts camps, activities Leonard Banks Sports editor For Chase and Daphne Davidson recreation and academics are the perfect remedy for the doldrums associated with the lazy swelter days of summer. Married for nine years, the couple met as health & physical education students at Radford University. Since then, the Davidsons have focused their lives around their three children, the peaceful spiritual comforts of Oak Grove Baptist Church, and their beloved community of Westmoreland County. More importantly, as camp directors, the Davidsons have taken the venue of Oak Grove Baptist Church’s Family Life Center to a new level, broadening its summer programs into a menagerie of sports, academics and personal enrichments programs for children. Whether its science, volleyball, baseball, drama, cooking, basketball, or general recreational activities, the camps have something to offer everyone. “If you think about the average person, its not just the athlete or someone fixated on reading that the camps

King George man sentenced for injuring CB couple Richard Leggitt

A King George man, who was driving a vehicle that collided with a motorcycle carrying a Colonial Beach couple after last year's Colonial Beach Bikefest, was sentenced to prison In King George Circuit Court last week. Circuit Judge Herbert Hewitt sentenced Keith Jordan Watson, 28, to two consecutive terms of five years in prison, with four years and six

months of each suspended upon good behavior. Watson will serve at least one year in the penitentiary. Watson was charged with driving under the influence and driving under the influence maiming after the vehicle he was driving on Oct. 10, 2015, collided with a motorcycle carrying Richard and April Martin of Colonial Beach. Prosecutors said both of the Martins suffered extensive and permanent injuries.

Woman nabbed in shed in county freed on bond Montross' Bob Fox Project may be nearing end See camps, page 8

Photo by Leonard Banks

Chase and Daphne Davidson assisting kids with summer art program projects at Oak Grove Baptist Church.

Richard Leggitt

The Bob Fox Project in Montross, which has been providing food and gifts at Christmas for those in need, especially seniors, in Montross and Westmoreland County for almost 34 years, unfortunately may be nearing its end. "Sadly, all or part of the project may have to be discontinued this year," said Brenda Reamy, the former Montross town manager. "Funds were mostly depleted last year and at least $3,000 will be needed by October 1 if the project is to continue." Reamy said only about $750 has been received so far in response to fundraising letters for the beneficial project that were sent out a few months ago. "Help is needed," Reamy said. The project was started more than three decades ago to provide holiday assistance for those in need

as a memorial effort to honor former Westmoreland Commonwealth's Attorney Robert Fox. Sadly, Fox, who was a very popular public official, died of a heart attack in a Westmoreland County courtroom. Fox, who was known for his generosity as well as his legal skills, frequently lamented to friends and associates that he was worried about the large number of people in Westmoreland County who were without gifts, food or friendship during the holiday season. On March 11, 1983, when Fox died while trying a case in a Westmoreland County courtroom, his friends and associates vowed to keep his memory alive by establishing the Bob Fox Project to help those who are in need during the holiday season. "It's done very quietly," said Reamy. "But it reaches out to many." Despite the Bob Fox Proj-

ect's success, however, after three decades volunteer help and funding has not been what is necessary to sustain the worthwhile effort. "The project each year remembers Westmoreland County people who now reside in nursing homes with a Christmas gift bag," said Reamy. "And for those living alone at home, a turkey dinner with all trimmings. For some, this is the only holiday gift they receive." Montross residents met earlier this year at the Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department to talk about ways to reinvigorate the project. "The success of this project depends completely on the generosity of our community," Bob Fox Project organizers said in a letter to Montross residents. "We are again asking for your help in funding

See project, page 8

Richard Leggitt

Judge Herbert Hewitt denied efforts by the King George Commonwealth's Attorney's Office last week to revoke the bond for Mary Evelyn Trainum, arrested earlier this month hiding in a shed in Westmoreland County and charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the drug death of a King George man. Hewitt said he was uncomfortable with revoking the $10,000 bond since Trainum did not have an attorney present. Hewitt allowed Trainum to remain free, but ordered her to obtain an attorney and to return to court on Sept. 15 for an additional

hearing on the bond issue. King George Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Charlie Clark said prosecutors were seeking to revoke Trainum's bond because she "eluded police and lied to them about her whereabouts. She had family and friends lie about her whereabouts. And, when detectives found her hiding in a shed in Westmoreland County, she actively resisted arrest." Trainum, 53, was indicted by a King George County Grand Jury in connection with the death of a 26-year-old man who died of a fatal drug overdose. In addition to involuntary manslaughter, Trainum is charged with illegally distributing drugs.

Local photographer sets exhibit at gallery Richard Leggitt

Photo by Richard Leggitt

The recent, hot humid weather has produced a series of breathtaking sunrises over the Potomac River, like this one seen from Colonial Beach.

Rob Rudick, a talented international photographer from Colonial Beach, travels the country and the world capturing vibrant, colorful digital images. His stunning work is on display at the JarrettThor Fine Arts gallery in Colonial Beach through Aug. 7. "My journey as a photographer traveled from black and white street film photography to digital photography with an emphasis on color, shape, sheer beauty and whimsy," Rudick said. Rudick's colorful images from recent trips to Southern Utah and to Spain are part of a JarrettThor gallery exhibition called titled "Color Connections" that showcases Rudick's work along with the work of his friend, Northern Virginia painter Bill Firestone. "Our use of color is similar," Rudick said. "So we decided we ought to have a show together. You can see the interplay of color and shapes as our work wraps its way around the gallery." Rudick works part time as a data analyst for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "I have always taken pictures. But the digital cameras See Rudick, page 8

Photo by Richard Leggitt

Rob Rusick is a talented, international photographer from Colonial Beach who travels the country and the world taking stunning photos. He is displaying his work though Aug. 7th at JarrettThor Fine Arts in Colonial Beach. At right is Joyce Thor, who owns the gallery with husband Carl.

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