The sweet taste of summer

One company’s mission to provide an awesome strawberry experience

RACHEL KESTER

Richmond Suburban News

Ashland has for more than four decades celebrated that delicious little fruit with the seeds on the outside. For many, the arrival of strawberries signals the coming of summer every bit as much as the screams of kids enjoying life without school.

Well, maybe not as much. But close.

And if you want strawberries in the AshlandHanover area, one name comes to mind – Agriberry Farm & CSA. Owners Anne and Chuck Geyer have since the 1980s farmed strawberries in the Commonwealth, but in 2010 the company turned its attention to Richmond-area strawberries.

Pierson Geyer, its general manager and second generation fruit farmer, oversees production at Agriberry’s plot in Chesterfield. The space spans a little over nine acres and is also used by Chesterfield Berry Farm with whom they collaborate.

They selected the spot after a consultant identified it as having “a unique microclimate” perfect for growing strawberries. “It had a lot of sandy soil and this factor is important for them,” Geyer says. Agriberry mainly grows two varieties: San Andreas and the Ruby June. The intensely flavored Ruby June is popular at local markets, but the San Andreas has longer yields and sometimes produces fruit as late as Labor Day.

To get the berries ready for summer, Agriberry’s work begins around the time sweater-wearing locals are wandering through pumpkin patches and sipping spiced lattes.

A few weeks before fall planting, beds are prepared and the ground carefully fumigated inside plastic row covers to sanitize the soil – a delicate process Geyer notes that’s done with expert care. By late October, the Agriberry team starts planting strawberry crops and adjusting frost and weed row covers over them to shield them from winter weather. “

There’s about a seven to eight degree protection from row covers,” Geyer says.

This year, they planted around 250,000 strawberry plants. But even with diligent care, nature is unpredictable. This past winter was unseasonably warm causing red berries to appear as early as March – an impressive contrast to last year when a sudden March frost took about 30% of the company’s crops. While frost is the primary nemesis, aggressive mites and deer also pose problems.

Once strawberry season officially takes off (anywhere from late March to mid-May), the Agriberry team begins quickly harvesting.

Please see SUMMER, Page 4

Honoring Those Who Gave All

as Hanover headed into Memorial day weekend, Mrs� Heltzel, a now-retired longtime teacher at Battlefield Park elementary school, continued her annual tradition of doing something special to recognize Memorial day and orchestrated this beautiful tribute outside the school

Upcoming Events:

205 England Street

Ashland, VA 23005

Give us a call: (804) 401-7007

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

June 1 - June 2 at 7pm

June 3 at 2pm & 7pm

June 4 at 12pm

June 7 at 7pm

June 9 at 7pm

June 10 at 2pm & 7pm

10AM Toddler Takeover!

June 10 at 10am (Free Event)

For ages 1 month to 6 years, 1 hour of cartoons & family friendly fare! Concessions will be available & theatre lights remain on.

The Flash

June 16 at 2pm

June 17 at 2pm & 7pm ashlandtheatre.org

Worlds collide when the Flash uses his superpowers to travel back in time.

MECHANICSVILLE — ASHLAND LOCAL PICK UP LOCATIONS

Mechanicsville — 23111

360 Coin Laundry & Cleaners , 7040

Mechanicsville Tpke

Truist — Lee davis, 7016 Mechanicsville Tpke

Books Beads & More, 8106 Mechanicsville

Tpke

Colonial Pharmacy, 7510 Mechanicsville

Tpke dorns Body & Paint, 8190 Mechanicsville

Tpke� essex Bank, 6316 Mechanicsville Tpke

FCL Favor Christian Life, 6501 Mech Tpke, ste 101

Gus’ Italian Café, 7358 Bell Creek Road

Hanover Cleaners, 8092 Mechanicsville

Tpke

HealthLink Chiropractic Center, 7347 Bell Creek Road

Hometown Realty, 7240 Lee davis Rd, suite

200

Kroger, 6335 Mechanicsville Tpke

Lee davis B & P, 7051 Mechanicsville Tpke

Lee davis Pharmacy, 7016 Lee Park Road

Little Bean Coffee Co , 7032 Mechanicsville

Tpke

Mechanicsville drug store, 8077

Mechanicsville Tpke

Mechanicsville Library, 7461 sherwood

Crossing Place

Primis Bank (Mechanicsville), 8123

Mechanicsville Tpke

TGI Friday’s, 8100 Creighton Parkway

The Ville, 7526 Mechanicsville Tpke

Treats and Treasures, 5912 Cold Harbor Road

Village Bank (Old Mech), 8051 Mechanicsville

Tpke

West store, 4225 Mechanicsville Tpke

Mechanicsville — 23116 atlee Branch Library, 9212 Rutlandshire drive

Balducci Realty & Builders, 10173

Chamberlayne Road

Bell Creek Vet , 8310 Bell Creek Road dominion Women’s Health, 8239

Meadowbridge Road

Hogg Professional Building, 9137

Chamberlayne Road

KidMed, 8356 Bell Creek Road

Owens and Minor, 9120 Lockwood Blvd

Progressive dental, 8417 n Run Medical drive

Pulmonary assoc Richmond, 7497 Right

Flank Road

Primis Bank (Kings Charter), 9495 Charter

Gate drive

Valero (atlee & sliding Hill Rds ), 10030 sliding Hill Road

Ashland- 23005 ashland Library, 201 s�Railroad ave� ashland Police dept 601 england street ashland Town Hall, 101 Thompson street ashland Visitor Center,112 n� Railroad ave

Cross Brothers Grocery, 107 south Center street

Hanover Community service, 12300

Washington Hwy

Hanover Parks and Rec, 13015 Taylor

Complex Lane

Henry Clay shopping Center, Rt 54

Rise n shine diner, 10372 Leadbetter Road sheetz/ashland, 12341 n� Washington Hwy sheetz/Leadbetter dr, 10037 sliding Hill Road skateland, 516 n� Washington Hwy

Village Bank, 10035 sliding Hill Road, #101

Ashland — 23059 aw shucks Country store, 6100 Pouncey

Tract Road

Montpelier — 23192

Fas Mart, 16575 Mountain Road

Food Lion, 16615 Mountain Road

Montpelier Library, 17205 sycamore Tavern

Lane

Montpelier Pharmacy, 17128 Mountain Road

Virginia Family Practice, 15028 Brown

Pleasants Road

Glen Allen — 23059 aw shucks Country store, 6100 Pouncey

Tract Road essex Bank /Va Center, 9951 Brook Road

Aylett — 23009

Primis Bank- Central Garage, 20 Commerce

Lane

Hanover — 23069

Hanover County admin Bldg, 7516 County

Complex Road

Hanover Co sheriff’s Office, 7522 County

Complex Road

Hanover Branch Library, 7527 Library drive

Hanover Post Office, 13228 Hanover

Courthouse Rd

Pamunkey Regional Jail, 7240 Courtland

Farm Road

Wickham Bldg , 7515 County Complex Road

King William — 23086

Citgo Route 360 and 30, 5033 RichmondTappahannock Hwy

Valero (King William), 12132 King William Road

One stop Market, 2185 Richmond-

Tappahannock Hwy

Manquin — 23106

Manquin Post Office, 2171 Richmond

Tappahannock

M & M Pizza — B&P station, 1418 RichmondTappahannock Hwy

Studley — 23162 studley store, 5407 studley Road

Students host breakfast for teachers who inspired them

12 COMMUNITY

Gandy students take part in “Amazing Shake”

Randolph-Macon softball ends season one win short of College World Series

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31

senior Bingo will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Mechanicsville Branch Library, 7461 sherwood Crossing Place in Mechanicsville. ages 55 & up. stop by the library for a game of senior Bingo. Presented by Jessica Ross, education and enrollment specialist at JenCare senior Medical Center. For more information or if you have a special physical or communication need, please contact ask@pamunkeylibrary.org or call the Mechanicsville Branch Library at 804-746-9615.

THURSDAY, JUNE 1

The Mechanicsville Rotary Foundation and the Flying squirrels are hosting a Hanover night at The diamond, 3001 n arthur ashe Blvd, Richmond, Va 23230. Gates open: 5:30 p.m., First Pitch: 6:35 p.m. Richmond Flying squirrels vs. erie seaWolves. This will be a community night to celebrate Hanover with fun, family, friends, baseball and fireworks. Go yellow Jackets! The squirrels celebrate RM-C and the community of Hanover County. For more information visit https:// www.milb.com/richmond/tickets/ promotions.

FRIDAY, JUNE 2

ashland Fourth Fridays events will celebrate local artisans. dine downtown, listen to live music, and discover art you can’t find anywhere else at the first ashland Fourth Fridays event of the season from 5 to 8 p.m. in downton ashland. For more information visit www.ashlandvirginia.com/fourthfridays.

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

Cold Harbor Ruritan shrimp Festival will be held at 4 p.m. at Hanover/Cold Harbor Ruritan Park in Mechanicsville. Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased from Club members, West store, Bob’s Hair s hop and at the Hanover a dult Center. Proceeds benefit the community.

The 41th annual ashland strawberry Faire will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Randolph-Macon College 500 Henry street in Historic ashland. enjoy arts & Crafts, Hanover in action Pavilion, Pet Pageant, BaRKing Lot, youth strawberry Pageant, Kid Zone, dunk Tank and of course, strawberries! Rain or shine. Proceeds support area nonprofit groups and scholarships for Hanover County Public school students. Pet friendly.

SATURDAY, JUNE 3 & SUNDAY JUNE 4

Cold Harbor Battle anniversary will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cold Harbor Battlefield and Visitor Center, 5515 anderson-Wright drive in Mechanicsville. The Cold Harbor anniversary event will feature re-enactor camps, cannon and rifle demonstrations, walking tours, kid’s activities, and more.

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 shalom Baptist Church Children’s Ministry will hald a ‘Touch a Truck’ event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 8116 Walnut Grove Road in Mechanicsville. Touch-a-Truck is a hands-on learning experience for children to explore a variety of large trucks, first responder vehicles, construction vehicles and much more. Children will be able to get behind the wheel of their favorite vehicles, honk the horns, work the lights and sirens and meet the professionals who build, protect and serve our community. Martial arts World of Glen allen will be on onsite to perform. Lazy Cow Ice Cream will also be on site with ice cream treats available to purchase.

Mechanicsville Baptist Church is hold a workshop, engaging Brain Change, Understanding dementia from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 8016 atlee Road in Mechanicsville. This impactful learning event will be held in the Family Life Center behind the main church building. Become “dementia aware” and gain better understanding of brain changes that occur with alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases. Light refreshments will be provided by dowda senior Consultants. sign-up at office@mechanicsvillebaptist. org or 804-746-7253 by Wednesday, May 31 with your name, phone number and the number of people planning to attend.

SUNDAY, JUNE 11 author Tara McClary-Reves, coauthor of the devotional book, “The Chosen for Kids” will speak at 12:30 p.m. at shalom Baptist Church, 8116 Walnut Grove Road in Mechanicsville. you are invited to come and hear her talk. The event is free and lunch will be provided. Please RsVP by June 4, by calling the church office at 804-746-7737.

TUESDAY, JUNE 13

Mechanicsville aaRP Chapter 5407 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Richmond east Moose Lodge

147’s pavilion, 7167 Flag Lane in Mechanicsville. The rain date is June 20, 2023.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17

Hanover County Va naaCP Juneteenth Celebration will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at Pole Green Park, 8996 Pole Green Road in Mechanicsville. Fun activities are Car show with old cars, trucks. Bikes, corvettes & others. 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament for Kids & adults. Corn Hole Tournament for kids & adults. e mail hanovernaacp2@ gmail.com to participate. Honoring Hanover;s unsung hereos, Mr. Hosea Fox — Hanover’s Promoter, Mr. spencer Curtis — Hanover ‘s Black Volunteer Fire Leader from Coatesville, Brook s Brothers- 6 Hanoverian Veteran brothers, Jock Jones- 1st Hanoverian drafted into the nFL, The 8 students who integrated Patrick Henry & the former Lee-davis High school, now Mechanicsville High shool. Musical guests will be on stage. Vendor spots available to for profits (we reserve the right to deny permission if products don’t reflect our values & mission) email hanovemaacp2@ gmail.com for more information.

Ongoing

a re you the parent of a child with Type 1 diabetes? Parenting a teen with Type 1 diabetes in Hanover. We all understand how demanding this life is. Which is one of the reasons Tara Gray is setting up a meet and greet and a group for have monthly meetings. Please send an email to grays708@yahoo. com with your name and information if you would like to join.

If you think you may have a drinking problem, aa can help. Visit aarichmond.org for meeting info in Hanover County and other areas or call the 24 hour hotline: 804-355-1212.

Mechanicsville Churches emergency Functions One stop shop (MCeF Oss) is open for food, clothing and linens from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at 7235 stonewall Parkway in Mechanicsville (rear parking lot). The shop is available for residents in the 23111 and 23116 zip codes with identification and proof of residency.

Hanover County is working with residents, businesses, landowners and other community members to

Please see CALENDAR, Page 13

• Enjoy a stylish apartment home from maintenance and repairs.

• Experience resort-style amenities just steps from your door.

• Personalized care from our on-site medical providers to support your health and wellness.