DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Vol. 28, No. 30 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | November 23, 2011
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
For the troops
Christmas Mother: the need continues to grow By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com In 2009, 670 Hanover County families and 1,360 children benefited from the Hanover Christmas Mother program. Last year, those numbers jumped to 783 and 1,639, respectively. An increase is anticipated this year too, as Anne Geddy Cross, the 2011 Hanover Christmas Mother, continues to spread the word about the growing need. “The need keeps increasing,” Cross said on Thursday,
Melody Kinser/The Local
Members of the Pamunkey Woman’s Club and Pamunkey Junior Woman’s Club filled Christmas stockings for those serving with the U.S. military during the Nov. 14 meeting at the Cool Spring Baptist Church in Mechanicsville.
By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com NBC12 news anchor Sabrina Squire has been named the grand marshal for the 13th annual Mechanicsville Rotary/ Ruritan Christmas Parade on see PARADE, pg. 5
Oct. 26, a day after officially deep into their pockets to help.” Last year’s total topped receiving the title — and the responsibilities associated with $92,000, with costs including $11,400 in toys, raising funds so $51,300 in clothes that all Hanover and gift cards, and County children Send donations $15,300 in food can have a merry to P.O. Box 39, Christmas. Doswell, VA 23047 and senior gift cards. Even with “Everybody’s Hanover County resources keep Public Schools decreasing,” Cross children donating 16,000 cans added. In seeking community sup- of food, the Christmas Mother port for the Christmas Mother program still had to purchase program, she said, “We hope 12,000 cans. Miscellaneous people will think hard and dig expenses were a little more than
Liberty isn’t average K-9 when it comes to rescue By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com
“She puts her nose to the ground and tries to find a human scent. When she finds one, her tail goes up in the air, and we take off tracking it.”
When the search for Robert Wood Jr. was monopolizing almost everyone’s thought and prayers, a select number of professional searchers were scouring the woods with their noses to the ground and tails in the air. K-9 search dogs come in all shapes and MAX FRAYSER sizes, and they were utilized in many Handler/owner different capacities during the search. Bloodhounds were used, as were She is a Labrador Retriever mix and dogs that ride in boats and pick up a has been trained to FEMA (Federal sent off the water, and then there was see LIBERTY, pg. 21 Liberty.
TV news anchor to lead parade
SABRINA SQUIRE
PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
ANNE GEDDY CROSS
$1,600. Monetary reserves have been a staple, but, as the need grows, those funds are depleting. Corporate donations, including Martin’s, make a difference in meeting the needs of the Christmas Mother prosee NEED, pg. 5