DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 37, No. 37 | Richmond Suburban News | December 22, 2021
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Residents raise autism awareness with sensory-sensitive Christmas By Christina Amano Dolan For The Mechanicsville Local
R
ICHMOND — Kicking off the holiday month in celebration, families gathered to witness the annual Mechanicsville Christmas Parade themed “I’ll be Home for Christmas.” While the town’s streets were blocked off for the day’s festivities, making way for parade floats and live music, another event was held for families who may shy away from the bustling crowd. For the first time held at the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge, the new Christmasthemed party was designed to cater to and raise awareness about families with children with autism and other disabilities who, due to sensory overload, could not attend the parade. The event featured a quieter ambience of live music, a
Jim Ridolphi/The Local
Members of Patrick Henry Chamber Choir performed at last week’s school board meeting.
Board’s decision draws response at board meeting Dave Lawrence/The Local
Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and an elf pose with a local family for a photo during the filming of an episode of ‘A New Perspective with Tim Sutton,’ a vlog devoted to issues affecting people with cognitive issues such as autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer’s disease, at the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge on Dec. 4. The event featured food and Christmas-themed activities for children prone to sensory overload.
face painting station, a buffet of home-cooked food, raffle items for attendees and a canned food drive. A sensory-friendly Santa was also in
attendance to meet the children, take photographs with them and give them presents. Donna Gammon, the event organizer, said the party
was “near and dear” to her, as her son, nephew and grandson are on the autism spectrum. see AUTISM, pg. 8
By Jim Ridolphi For The Mechanicsville Local A number of citizens attended last week’s regularly scheduled Hanover County School Board meeting to express their opinion on a decision taken last month by the board. At the Nov. 9 meeting, the board voted 4-3 to not comply fully with Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) guidelines regarding those guideline that, among other things, see BOARD, pg. 4
NEIL SIMON'S
“...a delightful romantic comedy... pure, belly laughing comedy” – Julinda D. Lewis, RVArt
DEC 12 - JAN 16 HANOVER TAVERN VIRGINIAREP.ORG 804-282-2620
