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The Mechanicsville Local November 23, 2022
The Local Pick:
Mechanicsville High School to present ‘Bye Bye Birdie’
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Shown is the Mechanicsville High School cast of the upcoming “Bye Bye Birdie” production.
Contributed photo
Contributed Report Th e Mechanicsville Local
The Mechanicsville Theatre Company is bringing the family-friendly nostalgic show “Bye Bye Birdie” to life Dec. 1 and 2 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. in the Mechanicsville High School Auditorium.
Before Baz Luhrmann brought Elvis back into the forefront of American pop culture, the musical “Bye Bye Birdie” was spoofing his career. Based on the fan reaction when Elvis was drafted into the Army, “Bye Bye Birdie” tells the tale of Albert Peterson, Conrad Birdie’s overworked songwriting manager, and his desperate attempt to get out of the debt that his pop icon has saddled him with.
see BYE BYE, pg. 5
email:mwall@timesdispatch.com 8460TimesDispatchBlvd., Mechanicsville,VA23116 Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale presents Winter Concert
Contributed Report Th e Local
The Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale is excited to present its 2022 Winter Concert: Star of Wonder and invites the community to enjoy holiday music with the entire family.
The concert will take place Friday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in Richmond and on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m. at Duncan Memorial Church in Ashland.
The performance will feature “The Christmas Oratorio” by Bob Chilcott and will include “Alpha and Omega 1, 2 and 3” by Gwyneth Walker. Also included will be “Trinity Te Deum” by Eriks Esenvalds. The group will be accompanied by a brass quintet and organ.
Artistic director Ryan Tibbetts will again conduct the singers and instrumentalists. Nationally renowned Daniel Stipe will accompany and perform.
Advanced tickets are $10 for adults ($15 at the door) and $5 for students. Tickets may be purchased online at www.Cvamc.org or by calling 1-883-3006. They may be purchased from any chorale member or at the Caboose Market & Café in Ashland.
MECHANICSVILLE ROTARY-RURITAN CHRISTMAS PARADE
5 EDUCATION
Battlefield Park Elementary health and P.E. teacher named top in state
14 ASHLAND
Bocrie receives citizen recognition from APD Chief Aronhalt
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Folly captivates in talk about African-American cemeteries
Photo courtesy of Hanover County Black Heritage Society
Jean Folly, chairperson of the Hickory Hill Slave and AfricanAmerican Cemetery Board, stands with the Hickory Hill African American Cemetery historic marker.
Contributed Report Th e Mechanicsville Local
The Hanover County Black Heritage Society, The Ashland Museum and the Pamunkey Library System welcomed Jean Folly, chairperson of the Hickory Hill Slave and AfricanAmerican Cemetery Board, on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Atlee Branch Library.
Folly presented on the featured topic “African-American Cemeteries in Hanover” to a full and captivated audience. A sense of community was tangibly present throughout the room, as she conveyed oral histories regarding her family’s ancestral journey and the Cemetery Preservation Project. Spending her golden years bringing new life to the cemetery gives her a sense of purpose, as she shared, “I feel like it’s up to us to do this for our families and ancestors to make sure they are properly recognized.”
Folly recounted memories of her childhood; family history passed on by her Grandmother Betty about her great-great grandparents, Hannah and William Tolliver; current conditions affected by overgrowth and Mother Nature; and her great appreciation for the “goodness of the community who have helped along the way,” noting that “there is still much more work that needs to be done.”
Folly spoke of the Hickory Hill - Wickham’s Plantation and the journey for the historical preservation process of the cemetery. Through a field survey, 149 burials or interment sites were discovered. This finding was also supported by the meticulous records kept by William Fanning Wickham, engraved headstones, illegible headstones, foot stones and quartz rocks.
The late Virginia Shelton, an Ashland resident, was featured in a photograph with President Barack Obama at Wednesday’s Historical Exhibit. At 105 years old when the photo was taken on Sept. 29, 2010, Shelton was also a direct descendant of people who were enslaved at Hickory Hill and of people buried in the cemetery. Shelton was important to the research and documentation project that started in the late 1980s when development first threatened the cemetery. With thanks to researchers Dr. D. Rebel Dunkel, Joanna Green and the Department of Historic Resources, the Hickory Hill Slave and African American Cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Aug. 12, 2020.
On Feb. 20, 2012, The Hanover County Black Heritage Society featured an exhibit and a historical presentation featuring Professor D. Reber Dunkel of Randolph-Macon College (R-MC) and a HCBHS board member, along with Kenneth White, an R-MC senior student. The presentation was entitled “Uncovering the Past: What we can Learn from Cemeteries, Genealogy and Other Non-Traditional Sources.” Additionally, with a grant from the Hanover County Historical Commission, the Hanover County Black Heritage Society completed work on the preservation of the Rutland Slave Cemetery located on Route 301. Clean up efforts for the Hickory Hill Slave and African American Cemetery happen several times throughout the year. If you would like to volunteer to help during a cleanup effort, visit the Facebook pages for dates: Hickory Hill Slave & African American Cemetery. Donations are always welcome, which will be applied to the continuing efforts to help preserved the Hickory Hill Slave & African American Cemetery.
Donations may be mailed to: Hickory Hill African American Cemetery c 1820 – 1950, P.O. Box 932, Ashland, VA 23005 or make a donation with Zelle using the email address: HHAAC1820@gmail.com.
Generationally, family plots and other properties continue to be used to provide resting places for loved ones across America and in Hanover from centuries-old traditions. The Hanover County Black Heritage Society continues to conduct research on African-American Cemeteries in Hanover County. Anyone interested in or who has knowledge and information regarding African-American Cemeteries in Hanover County, contact Dr. Alphine Jefferson, Mary Waddy and/or Francine Hunter of The Hanover County Black Heritage Society at 804 - 779 - 2366.
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Mechanicsville man dies in fi re
Contributed Report Th e Mechanicsville Local
At 1106 hours on Sunday, Nov. 20, Hanover Fire-EMS crews responded to the 9300 block of Chamberlayne Road for a reported residential fire. While responding, crews were provided an update that bystanders reported a single occupant was still in the home. The first units arrived within six minutes of being dispatched and found smoke coming from the singlefamily home. They immediately entered to conduct rescue operations. Crews were able to quickly locate the victim in a rear bedroom and had the subject removed within a minute of their arrival. Care was provided by the crews on scene and the subject was transported to VCU Medical Center in critical condition.
Despite the valiant efforts of responders, Vincent Keith Watts (86) of Mechanicsville, succumbed to his injuries at VCU Medical Center. The incident remains under investigation by the Hanover Office of the Fire Marshal. Hanover Fire-EMS Department extends their deepest sympathy to the family involved.
Information submitted by Hanover Fire-EMS Public Information Officer David “DJ” Johnston.
