DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Oticon recognizes no limits attitude By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com When Kristin Grasberger learned she had won the Oticon Focus on People Award in November, she had a plan for the $1,000 gift designated for her personal use: She gave it away. The James Madison University freshman is humble when talking about her generosity. As an Oticon recipient, she received a total of $2,000 — $1,000 is sent to a nonprofit of choice, while the other $1,000 was given to her. Saying “I have everything I need,” Kristin chose to split the $1,000, with Peer Lauitsen, president of Oticon Inc., presented Kristin Grasberger with her award.
$500 going to Young Life Capernaum and $500 to sponsor a child in El Salvador. She said Young Life Capernaum is “a young life program for kids with disabilities.” The program “has been a big part of my life the past few years,” she said. She became interested in El Salvador after reading “profiles of children from all the world” on the Web site, www.compassion.com. “You can choose who to sponsor for however long you’d like.” Kristin selected a girl. Her $500 contribution “is slightly more than enough to sponsor her for see ATTITUDE, pg. 20 `
PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 26, No. 35 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | December 30, 2009
Ax attack top story of 2009 By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
TOP 10 OF 2009
An ax attack, political changes, and budgetary woes top the list of news in Hanover County for 2009.
1 — Ax attack 2 — Elections 3 — Stimulus funds 4 — No layoffs 5 — Tomato Festival 6 — Snow, snow, snow 7 — New library 8 — Delegate retires 9 — L-DHS at 50 10 — GMA in Ashland
1 — Ax attack Sixteen-year-old Omar K. Abdelaal has been accused of assaulting another local teen with an ax following an altercation at a Mechanicsville business. The Oct. 23 incident left the 15-year-old victim with a laceration to the left side of his face. Deputies with the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office charged Abdelaal with aggravated malicious wounding. If convicted, he faces a sentence of 20 years to life. Commonwealth Attorney R.E. “Trip” Chalkley III was successful in having the case moved to Circuit Court, meaning Abdelaal will be tried as an adult. Chalkley said the attack, which occurred at Tractor Supply Co. in the 7000 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, was
File photo/Patrick Dobbs
The 31st Hanover Tomato Festival enjoyed a record attendance, with 42,000 people filling Pole Green Park in July.
captured on surveillance video.
2 — Elections Republicans proved victorious in June and November, with Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli preparing for next month’s transition. McDonnell defeated Creigh Deeds in the race for governor; Bolling returns as lieutenant governor after besting Jody Wagner; and Cuccinelli beat Steve Shannon for the attorney general’s seat. Bolling is a Mechanicsville resident.
The 55th District House of Delegates will be represented by a new face when the General Assembly convenes in a couple of weeks. John Cox won the Republican party’s nomination in the primary, fighting off Rusty McGuire and Jerry Burch. “A business guy and a novice politician,” Cox said “I felt like my conservative message resonated with the voters” after the primary victory. He joined with Republicans in the general election with an confident win over
Democrat Robert Barnette. Del. Chris Peace, R-97, ran unopposed in the general election.
3 — Stimulus funds With stimulus funds pouring into the coffers of the Hanover County Public Schools, fulltime regular and special education teachers were saved from the unemployment line. Dr. Stewart D. Roberson, superintendent, said the system was to receive $6.3 million from the $44 billion the U.S. Department of Education was distributing. “It appears that the amount of see 2009, pg. 20 `
Christmas Mother support continued through holiday Support for the 2009 Christmas Mother program continued through the holiday, with the following donors helping others in their community: Abner Baptist Church, Janet Anderson, Frank and Diane Atkinson, Lisa Atkinson, Awful Arthur’s, Brian and Kathleen Barber, F. Richard Barnette Building Contractor, Beulah
Estates Families, Faye Booker in honor of my brother and sister in-law, Boy Scout Troop #533, Robin Bruce, Ben Burrell, Sally and Michael Butch, Carter Properties, Central Hanover Episcopal Church Women, Chamberlayne Heights Methodist Church-Frances Allen Circle, Chamberlayne Heights United Methodist Church-Fellowship
Hall Sunday School Class, E.S. Chappell and Sons, ChemTreat Inc., Lillian Chenault, Ann Conner, Cool Spring Elementary School Teachers, Jann and Noeleen Dale, Dunlora Woman’s Club, Eagle Point Farm, Enon United Methodist Women, First see SUPPORT, pg. 20 `