Mechanicsville-Ashland Local – 02/22/2023

Local Mechanicsville-Ashland

SERVING ALL HANOVER COUNTY COMMUNITIES

COMMUNITY: Girl Scouts celebrate World Thinking Day

PAGE 9

SPORTS: Atlee, Hanover claim indoor track region titles

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FY2024 budget focused on education, public safety and human services

MECHANICSVILLE – Projected healthy growth in real estate, personal property and sales taxes will help Hanover County address deferred capital needs, invest in the county workforce and offer the board of supervisors the opportunity to explore tax relief options for citizens, county administrator John Budesky told board members last week.

Exhibit honors musicians

Borne out of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project started as a tribute to a single well-known Richmond musician, Herbert “Debo” Dabney III,

who died in April 2020. Coles got online, found a photo of Dabney, and created a portrait of the late

During his presentation of the fiscal year (FY) 2024 county administrator’s proposed budget and updated Five-Year General Fund Financial Plan on Wednesday, Feb. 15, Budesky laid out the county’s proposed budget, looking at the numbers but also placing a heavy focus on the services tied to those numbers, especially in the priority areas of education, public safety and human services.

Budesky unveiled a $679 million proposed budget, up $64.3 million (10.5%) from FY2023. Funding for the FY2024 General

Fund, which accounts mostly for local funds, is proposed at $354.8 million budget, which represents a $33.2 million (10.3%) increase over the FY2023 budget.

The budget Budesky presented to the board maintains Hanover’s longstanding real estate tax rate of 81 cents per $100 of assessed value.

However, the primary driver of the increase in local revenues the county is expecting is a projected increase in general property taxes of $25.9 million that is fueled by higher assessed values for real property, Budesky said. He pointed out that the county’s median assessment value is seeing an 11.6% increase.

Because of that, Budesky committed staff to work with the board of supervisors to provide relief to county residents, although what that path forward will look like is still to be decided. He said the county already provides $22 million in

LAURA MCFARLAND Managing Editor

LAURA MCFARLAND Managing Editor

MECHANICSVILLE – Donald Coles has created a visual love letter to the Richmond music scene.

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Donald Coles stands in front of his new exhibit, “African American Musicians in the Richmond, Hanover and Vicinity Areas,” which will be on display at the Mechanicsville Branch Library through the end of the month.

Atlee Library to host book sale Feb. 23-25

CONTRIBUTED REPORT

The Friends of the Atlee Library in Mechanicsville are preparing for their next book sale on Feb. 23 to 25. Library book sales are a great opportunity for the community to support the library and purchase gently used books, CDs and DVDs at a fraction of their original cost. All proceeds for the sale go to support the library and its programs.

Among the items for sale you will find both paperback and hardback books, covering many topics, from classics to popular fiction, and from cookbooks to books for young adults and children. This is a great opportunity for teachers to add to their classroom collections and for readers to revisit series from popular authors.

The book sale will be held at the Atlee Library at 9212 Rutlandshire Drive

in Mechanicsville on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 4 to 8 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Saturday, there will be a popular bag sale! Buyers can purchase a grocery bag full of books for $5. (It is helpful if you bring grocery bags with you). Payment for books can be by cash or check.

The Friends of the Atlee Branch Library is a nonprofit organization comprised of members of the public who are advocates for the library, its staff and the community. They would love to have you join them! Book sales are conducted several times a year, with all proceeds benefiting the Atlee Branch Library.

For more information, call the library at 804-5590654.

Exciting thingsare happening!

Pleasewelcome

Dr.DanNuckolstoour MechanicsvilleOffice.

Dr.DanNuckolswasraisedonhisfamily’scowandpumpkinfarm inGretna,VA.HegraduatedfromtheCollegeofWilliam&Mary withadegreeinBiologybeforeobtaininghisDoctorateofDental SurgeryfromVirginiaCommonwealthUniversity.Afterdental school,hecompletedanAdvancedEducationinGeneralDentistry residencyattheveteran’shospitalinSanAntonio,TX. Helikesbeinginvolvedinthecommunityandhasparticipated inmanydentalservicetripsinVirginiaandabroad.Hisfocusis providingcomprehensivecarebybuildingtrustingrelationships withhispatientsfirst. Dr.Nuckolsenjoyshiking,running,reading,andmostimportantly spendingtimewithhiswife(Alaxandra)anddog(Byrdie).

WearealwayshereforYOU

SPEAK UP CLUB SPREADS KINDNESS

The speak up Club at Chickahominy Middle school helped spread kindness last week with uplifting messages chalked on the sidewalks outside the school Well done, Chargers!

Mechanicsville — Ashand

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

Pulmonar y assoc richmond, 7497 right Flank road

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

Henr y 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 richmond-Tappahannock Hwy�

Valero (King William), 12132 King William road

HAAC

Elaal

7516RightFlankRd., Mechanicsville,VA23116 (804)746 -1300

Welookforwardtomeetingyourdentalhealthneeds. elroddunhamdentistry.net

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

One stop Market, 2185 richmond-Tappahannock Hwy

Manquin — 23106

Manquin Post Office, 2171 richmond Tappahannock

M & M Pizza — b&P station, 1418 richmond-Tappahannock Hwy

Studley — 23162

studley store, 5407 studley road

PHOTO COURTESY OF HANOVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

JAN. 22

Petit larceny in a building was reported on the 12200 block of south anna drive.

brandishing a firearm was reported on the 11300 block of Williamsville road/river road.

Marijuana: Possession/Consumption under the age of 21 was reported on the 9000 block of Pole Green Park Lane.

Grand larceny — auto theft was reported on the 10200 block of Lakeridge Park.

Petit larceny, shoplifting was reported on the 10200 block of Lakeridge Park.

Identity theft, identity to defraud less than or equal to $200 block of 7100 block of ellerson Mill Circle.

JAN. 23

dWI: 1st offense was reported on the 8000 block of e. Patrick Henry road/depot road.

Petit larceny of parts was reported on the 11100 block of air Park road.

Identity fraud use of identifying information to defraud was reported on the 7900 block of baneberry drive.

a c cident: driver did not report, with damage under or equal to $1000 was reported on the 11200block of Howards Mill road.

assault and battery on a family member was reported on the 7100 block of Garden Park Lane.

attempt to prevent law enforcement from lawfully arresting accused was reported on the 10000 Learning Lane.

embezzlement less than $200 was reported on the 7000 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike.

assault and battery on a family member was reported on the 7100 block of Harver Way.

Grand larceny -$500 or more, not from a person was reported on the 10000 block of Pollen drive.

Petit larceny of parts was reported on the 11500 block of sun shade Lane.

Petit larceny, shoplifting was reported on the 7300 block of bell Creek road.

destruction of property, monument, value more than or equal to $1000 was reported on the 6000block of Jeff drive.

Petit larceny in a building was reported on the 6200block of Fieldshire Court.

Obtaining money or signature by false pretenses was reported on the 8100 block of dunfee Lane.

Grand larceny in a building was

reported on the 7900 block of elliott drive.

Grand larceny in a building was reported on the 8200 block of Christian ridge drive.

Firearms, regardless of value, not from a person was reported on the 4300 block of Crown Hill road.

assault and battery on a family member was reported on the 11000 block of Greenline Court.

a simple assault was reported on the 12300 block of Hanover Cove Lane.

dWI: 1st offense was reported on the 8200 block of Meadowbridge road.

JAN. 24

Firearms, regardless of value, not from a person was reported on the 8300 block of Quailfield road.

Grand larceny — auto theft was reported on the 12300 block of Hanover Cove Lane.

Failure to appear on felony charge was reported on the 7500 block of County Complex road.

Threaten a school employee was reported on the 9900 block of Honey Meadows road.

a simple assault was reported on the 7000 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike.

Failure to appear on felony charge was reported on the 7500 block of Library drive.

a simple assault was reported on the 9400 block of atlee station road.

accident: driver did not report, with damage under or equal to $1000 was reported on the 11000 block of Leadbetter road.

Possession of a schedule I,II controlled substance was reported on the 11300 block of Cedar Lane.

a simple assault was reported on the 7200 block of bell Creek road.

JAN. 25

Grand larceny of parts was reported on the 7000 block of Haystack drive.

Forging was reported on the 7000 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike.

Credit card fraud more than or equal to $200 in 6 Months was reported on the 9400 block of north rinker drive.

sale, distribute marijuana over a 1/2 ounce, under or equal to 5 pounds was reported on the 8200 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike.

Threaten a school employee was reported on the 12000 block of Cedar Lane.

embezzlement less than $200 was reported on the 6600 block

of Cold Harbor road. destruction of property, monument was reported on the 7900 block of Kenmore drive.

Concealment, price alteration of merchandise more than or equal to $500 was reported on the 7400 block of bell Creek road.

False statement to obtain property or credit was reported on the 15000 block of bourne road. assault and battery on a family member was reported on the 7100 block of brandy Hill Trace.

JAN. 26

Possession of a schedule I,II controlled substance was reported on the 6300 block of Watt House road. destruction of property, monument — value more than or equal to $1000 was reported on the 15300 block of ashland road. driver did not report accident; damage over or equal to $250 was reported on the 8300 block of bell Creek road.

dWI, 2nd offense in 5 to 10 years was reported on the 12000 block of Hanover Courthouse road.

Grand larceny — auto theft was reported on the 7300 block of adams Farm road.

Concealment, price alteration of merchandise under or equal to $500was reported on the 7400 block of bell Creek road.

Obtaining money or signature by false pretenses was reported on the 8300 block of Colmar drive.

Petit larceny, shoplifting was reported on the 9100 block of Chamberlayne road.

Credit card theft was reported on the 9200 block of Cremins Court.

JAN. 27

breaking and entering at night with intent to commit felony was reported on the 7300 block of bell Creek road.

assault and battery on a family member was reported on the 14100 ashland road/Mountain road.

Profane, threatening language over public airway was reported on the 16200 block of Hennessy Way.

Failure to perform construction after advance was reported on the 7600 block of royal Crown Court.

eluding police -failure to stop: attempt to escape/elude was reported on the 7500 block of Mechanicsville b ypass/Mechanicsville Turnpike.

Larceny of bad checks was reported on the 11200 block of Hopson road.

Please see SHERIFF'S, Page 19

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THURSDAY, FEB. 23, FRIDAY, FEB. 24 & SATURDAY, FEB. 25

The Friends of the atlee Library will hold their book sale at the Pamunkey regional Library — atlee branch located at 9212 rutlandshire drive in Mechanicsville from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on saturday. a $5 bag sale on will be offered saturday where buyers are asked to bring their own bags. all proceeds from the sale with be used to support the atlee Library. For more information, call the library at 804-559-0654.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1

a b lood d rive will be held at from 1 to 6 p.m. at Pebble Creek Homeowners association located at 6069 Green Haven drive in Mechanicsville. you must schedule an appointment with the red Cross at redCrossblood.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 2

richmond area speleological society will meet at 7 p.m. at the atlee Library located at 9212 rutlandshire drive. Come hear about caving (spelunking) and how to join future trips to enjoy Virginia caves. They have trips for all ages and experience levels. For more information, visit the website, rass. caves.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

The Community salt Fish breakfast be held from 8 to 10 a.m. at enon uMC, 6156 studley road in Mechanicsville. The buffet includes salt fish, corn cakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, hash browns, sausage gravy, biscuits, waffles, apples, beverages and fellowship. adults $10, ages 6 & under free with all profits going to Missions.

TUESDAY, MARCH 7

a b lood d rive will be held at from 1 to 6 p.m. at Honey Meadows Homeowners association at 10004 Meadow Pond drive in Mechanicsville. you must schedule an appointment with the red Cross at redCrossblood.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 12

a blood drive will be held at from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at s hady Grove united Methodist Church located at 8209 shady Grove road in Mechanicsville. you must schedule an appointment with the red Cross at redCrossblood.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 14

a blood drive will be held at from 1 to 5 p.m. at Gethsemane Church of Christ located at 5146 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Mechanicsville.

you must schedule an appoin tment with the red Cross at redCrossblood.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 16

a monthly blood drive will be held at from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) located at 7168 Flag Lane in Mechanicsville. you must schedule an appointment with the red Cross at redCrossblood.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23

Civil air Patrol, Hanover squadron, is hosting an Open House from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fairfield Presbyterian Church, 6930 Cold Harbor road in Mechanicsville explore what CaP’s fantastic program has to offer for youths, ages 12 — 21 in the cadet program; as well as for adults who care about america and want to serve in training the next generation of Leaders for america. Observe and participate in Honor guard and Color guard, aerospace, s earch and resc ue, drill, and Leadership demonstrations, with many hands-on activities for all ages. Come out and see for yourself how you, too, can be a part of the us air Force auxiliary, Civil air Patrol. For more information, contact Lt. brandy Lamberts te vens at brandy.lambert-stevers@vawg.cap.gov, visit https:// vawg.cap.gov/units/hanover or on Facebook (Hanover Composite squadron-Civil air Patrol).

UPCOMING

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

a ‘decade of the 60’s reunion’ for all alumni of Hermitage High school for the classes of 1960 through 1969 will be held from 4 to 9 p. m. at richmond east Moose Lodge ballroom, 7167 Flag Lane in Mechanicsville. Music, food, plenty of tables, chairs, memories and old friends. Cash bar, casual attire. The event is limited to 400 attendees. The cost is $25 per person. To reserve your spot, make out your check to HHs 60’s reunion and mail to: HHs 60’s reunion, 7330 staples Mill rd. #249, Henrico, Va 23228. Please include your full name and address and which year you graduated. For more information, contact sue Halsey Cox (class of ‘66) 804-387-9182 or suecox3@yahoo. com. Or contact dale Morris (class of ‘64) at 804-897-7452 or brendale68@yahoo.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 27

a monthly blood drive will be

Please see CALENDAR, Page 7

HCPS working to identify students in need of support

ROSLYN RYAN Richmond Suburban News

When it comes to supporting students, Hanover County Public Schools’ assistant superintendent Jennifer Greif doesn’t attempt to hide her enthusiasm.

“I’m very passionate about this subject,” she told Hanover County school board members during the board’s meeting on Feb. 14. Greif delivered a report on the school division’s ongoing efforts to ensure students receive the specific support they need. Using various data sources, teachers, principals and division leaders have been focused on pinpointing how best to help students overcome barriers to learning.

The results, Greif said, have meant the difference between a student who could succeed at the next grade level because their difficulty with reading was identified

and addressed and a student who continued to struggle to keep up as classwork gets more challenging, leaving them further behind.

Greif explained that identifying students in need of assistance comes down to putting the appropriate systems in place, using assessments and screening tools, and the actual intervention itself.

While the school division staff manages the systems that are critical to addressing this learning loss, Greif told school board members that the bulk of the heavy lifting is done at the teaching level.

“We have to acknowledge that the teachers are the ones who have had to adapt, not just post-pandemic but they have also had to lean on a skill set that they have had to develop throughout the course of their career. It wasn’t something they came

BeforemovingtoRichmond,Virginiain1999,Dr. BehnazMovahedhadlivedinDallasandPhiladelphia. ShepursuedherstudiesatVCUSchoolofBusinessand graduatedmagnacumlaudewith adegreeofBachelorofScienceinaccountingin 2003.Afewyearslater,Dr.Behnazdecidedtopursue dentistryduetoherloveofworkinginhealthcare, helpinghercommunity,andinteractingwithpeople. ShegraduatedinMayof2018fromVCUSchool ofDentistry.

Someofherfondestmemoriesindentalschoolwere herexternalrotationsthroughoutVirginiawhereshe, alongsideherclassmates,offeredfreedentalcareto patients.Shehasalsoenjoyedvolunteering forunderservedcommunities suchasVirginiaDental Association’sMissionofMercy projectsinWiseCounty andGrundy,Virginiaas wellasparticipatingin theVCUJamaicaProject wheresheprovidedfree dentalservicestotheir community.

with from their teacher prep programs that they had in their back pocket.”

One example of the division’s efforts in action can be found in a pilot program currently running at Bell Creek Middle and Beaverdam Elementary schools. The project, a partnership between the Virginia Department of Education and Hanover County Public Schools, allows students in danger of falling behind to receive an immediate intervention. This helps them to quickly get back on track, Greif said, explaining that the students’ parents are an integral part of the process.

Greif said the division’s method has centered on first figuring out what students need, and then how they can help the teachers meet those needs.

Above all, she said, it’s about using the data to en-

Dr.Behnazhas devotedthe majorityofher timeandskills sincegraduation workinginpublic healthdentistry.Shehasalsoprovided dentalhealthservicesatMilitaryReadinessevents throughoutVirginia.Shestrivestohaveastrong andtrustingrelationshipwithherpatientsandto empowerthemtoachieveoptimaloralhealth.Sheis dedicatedtopursuingcontinuededucationinvarious fieldsofdentistrytostayabreastofthenewresearch andtechnology.SheisamemberofSeattleStudy Club,AmericanDentalAssociation,VirginiaDental Association,RichmondDentalSociety,andAcademyof GeneralDentistry.

Whennotintheoffice,Dr.Behnazenjoysspending timewithhertwochildren,family,friends,andherdog. Someofherhobbiesincludecooking,photography, gardening,listeningtopodcasts,andwatchingmovies (especiallyMarvel)!

sure that students can thrive.

“We are really digging into the skills a student needs [to be successful],” Greif said. “If a student gets to a certain reading level and just gets stuck, we’re helping teachers to know how to go back and trace those essential skills of reading…because just staying suck and hitting the same nail with the same hammer rather than going back and finding out where that gap might be is not the answer.”

Also during the Feb. 14 school board meeting, Betsy

Overcamp-Smith presented a brief update on the ongoing effort to create a comprehensive plan that will guide the county school division until 2029.

The draft OvercampSmith presented represented months of work and the input from two separate committees and various other community stakeholders and work group members. As the committees continued to refine the document, “we asked ourselves ‘Is it achievable? Is it measurable? Is it relevant?’” Overcamp-

Smith said.

The mission statement for the plan, she revealed, is as follows: “We are a studentcentered school community committed to excellence in teaching, learning and leadership.”

The citizen comment for the plan will be open until Feb. 28, and a survey is available on the Hanover County Public Schools’ website.

A revised plan that incorporates citizen feedback will be presented on March 14 for a first read, with a final vote up for adoption on April 11.

OPINION

Perseverance pays off for determined residents

JIM RIDOLPHI

Contributing Columnist

Arecent Virginia Supreme Court decision has breathed new life to a lawsuit filed by several Hanover citizens regarding the Wegmans Distribution Center currently under construction.

The five plaintiffs filed the suit in late 2021, litigation that outlined a series of complaints regarding the county’s decision to rezone property that, in effect, paved the way for the massive project.

All of the complainants listed numerous negative effects the project would bestow on their community, and cited environmental concerns as well as a continued disregard for quality of life issues in the Brown Grove community, an historically sig-

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Resident shares concerns about business park

Dear Editor, Ironhorse Business Park, a massive development proposal for east of Ashland along Rte 54, is starting to move along in the planning process. Formerly called “East Ashland,” this commercial and industrial-heavy development

nificant settlement founded by freed slaves.

A Circuit Court decision to dismiss the suit due to a lack of standing by the plaintiffs prompted the group to file an appeal that stated, in their opinion, the obvious negative impacts of the projects on their residences and the overall detriment to the community.

The latest Supreme Court decision means the plaintiffs in the case will have the opportunity to voice those concerns in court and have a ruling issued based on the merits.

Three years ago, I covered a community meeting hosted by Wegmans at Oak Knoll Middle School. A packed house peppered company officials with questions regarding the project, many cit-

ing increased traffic in several residential communities including Foxhead.

Since that first meeting, one aspect of this process was clearly evident. Residents opposed to the project immediately organized, formed groups on social media and other outlets to express their objections to the project.

Members of this opposition made their voices known through every step of the process including State Water Control Board and DEQ hearings.

After the Hanover Board of Supervisors approved the project in 2020, the five plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the county that identified specific objections to the county’s approval process, but a local Circuit Court ruled the applicants did not have standing in

the case. The plaintiffs appealed.

Seven members of Virginia’s Supreme Court did not agree with the local ruling, and earlier this month, the case was returned to the Circuit Court for retrial. Throughout this process, I’ve covered the various hearings with what I hope is unbiased and accurate reporting, and how this case is finally resolved is anybody’s guess. But, the recent Supreme Court decision does deliver a powerful message to those who decide local zoning issues and the ones who are affected by those decisions. Citizens do have a right to object to projects that directly affect their quality of life or environmental rights.

The decision also reaffirms the power of citizens united and the importance of community

support in the decision making process.

The 1.6 million-square-foot facility near Sliding Hill Road is scheduled to open later this year, possibly summer, so it is unclear what resolution can be reached at this stage.

But, one thing does seem clear after the high court’s decision earlier this month. The case will be decided on the merits, and the eight points raised in the plaintiff’s suit will be heard and documented.

And that means the five citizens who originally filed the suit do have standing, the right to sue and a voice in the county’s decision to approve zoning requests or consider major projects that affect communities.

On its face, that seems like a victory for all Virginians.

sits astride the Ashland-Hanover County line.

In its February 8 meeting, the Ashland Planning Commission voted 3-2 to approve a comprehensive land use amendment (CPA2022-08) for applicant Ironhorse Business Park. The CPA lays the groundwork for a follow-up rezoning application for approximately 100 acres in the Town.

On the Hanover side, the applicant has filed a rezon-

ing request (REZ2022-00008) for about 130 acres of officeservices, commercial and multifamily residential.

So what would this all look like on the landscape? The design plan shows 1.9 million square feet of flex warehouses, 148 townhomes fronting on Mount Hermon Road and commercial business pad sites along Rte 54. Numerous issues and concerns arise: traffic overloading and

LMechanicsville-Ashland

ocal

Publisher Joy Monopoli jmonopoli@Rsnva com

Managing Editor laura McFarland

lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com

Sports Editor Robby Fletcher rfletcher@powhatantoday.com

Production Manager denine d’angelo ddangelo@mechlocal.com

Classifieds cindy adams ..........................................cadams@mechlocal.com

cut-through on Rte 54, Mount Hermon Road, Woodside Lane and Jamestown Road; interstate commercial sprawl down Rte 54; environmental degradation along the Mount Hermon/Mechumps Creek corridor; warehouse space added to an existing inventory of 14.6 million square feet and a planned 10.9 million square feet.

Moreover, this large commercial-industrial development would abut rural, historic neigh-

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS

The Local welcomes your signed letters to the editor on topics of interest to Mechanicsville and Hanover residents. Letters must include your address and a daytime telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters. We do not guarantee that every letter received will be published. Letters reflect the opinions and positions of the writers and not The Mechanicsville-ashland Local.

editor@mechlocal.com

borhoods on Mount Hermon Road, Providence Road, Woodside Lane, Frances Road, Hilltop Drive, Burleigh Drive and East Patrick Henry Road.

Now is the time for citizens to request joint Town-County community meetings. Now is the time to contact Town Council, Planning Commission members and Supervisors.

Pattie Bland Beaverdam District

News tips, story ideas, community events, photos, birth announcements, milestones, anniversaries (40 years & above) or birthdays (80 yrs. old & above) by contacting events@mechlocal.com.

Musicians

musician in pencil to remember his old friend and honor his contributions to music.

That one portrait sparked something larger for Coles –a desire to celebrate and preserve the rich history that is the region’s music scene, which Coles, who lives in Goochland County, has also been a part of through the years.

The result is a new exhibit currently on display at the Mechanicsville Branch Library, located at 7461 Sherwood Crossing Place. The show, “African American Musicians in the Richmond, Hanover and Vicinity Areas,” will be on display in the lobby through the end of the month. It is free and open to the public.

The exhibit, as well as an upcoming musical program featuring Coles, is co-sponsored by the library and the Hanover County Black Heritage Society.

Coles will perform “Music at Midday” from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 at the library. The program is free and will include refreshments. During the show, Cole will mix several types of music together – including country and bluegrass – but said jazz will feature prominently, tying in to the music played by many of the musicians in his exhibit.

Coles developed a pattern over the course of creating this exhibit. Rather than having his subjects knowingly sit for their portraits, they are always a surprise, he said. He finds an image he likes and recreates it in a

Calendar

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held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) located at 7168 Flag Lane in Mechanicsville.

large pencil drawing. Then he surprises the artist and asks for their autograph on the portrait.

“If they are not living I try to find a close family member to autograph it so it can be a part of the history of Richmond and local musicians,” he said.

There are about 25 portraits on display at the library currently, but Coles said he has 40 altogether and continues to add to the collection. He hopes the exhibit will be displayed at other locations and will be a vibrant, living thing that can evolve over time.

The Mechanicsville Branch Library is the first place the portraits have been on display together like this, and when he put the last one up and stood back to take in the entire exhibit, it was an emotional moment.

“They looked so beautiful when I stepped back to look at the full picture. I felt like that wall was a blank canvas and once you put the pictures up and stepped back they were so beautiful,” he said. “Ninety percent of the artists I have either played with or seen them play in the Richmond area all my life. I knew 90% of the artists I drew.”

The exhibit at the library features about 25 pencil drawing portraits of musicians in the area. Some of them are Hanover musicians, including Joshua Allen and Ernest Waller, or have strong ties here. In addition to playing music with the likes of Duke Ellington and Sarah Vaughn, musician David L. Hoggard Jr. was the band director at John M. Gandy High School and Mechanicsville High School (formerly known as Lee-Davis High

addtional dates are May 23, June 20, July 27, august 24, september 26, October 19, november 24 and december 26. you must schedule an appointment with the red Cross at redCrossblood.org.

School).

He recalled taking Hoggard’s portrait to the other man’s house to get his autograph on it.

“I sat on his deck and I learned so much about him. He brought a picture album out and he was showing me pictures where he had been all over the world playing music. I think about four months later he died. I am thinking all of this talent is now gone. So I am so glad I got his portrait and it was autographed before he was deceased,” Coles said.

Hanover County Black Heritage Society appreciates being part of helping preserve that heritage, said board member Francine Aytes Hunter. Coles had been a featured guest speaker for the group in 2022, giving a historical presentation about black railroad workers. As a part of sharing the presentation, he used anecdotes, stories and music but also displayed some of his railroad art. He retired from being a machinist with the railroad in 2010 after 30 years.

During their interactions at the society’s meeting, Coles started talking about the musician’s portraits, and Hunter recalls telling him to “hold that thought” regarding a future exhibit.

The society has had a good relationship with Pamunkey Regional Library system, putting on historical displays for five to six years at different branches, Hunter said. They worked with the library to get the exhibit and Music at Midday program set up.

Hunter sees it as a way to increase cultural awareness for multiple generations and is especially hoping local se-

ONGOING

Hanover County is working with residents, businesses, landowners and other community members to update its Comprehensive Plan. Called “envision Hanover,”

niors can attend the music program since they purposefully scheduled it during the day.

“What I do like about his exhibit is it is not just musical historical figures. It is progressives and it is multigenerational with current artists as well as historical figures,” she said.

Jennifer Crooker, library assistant for the Mechanicsville Library Branch, said the library has been proud to have been involved with the Hanover County Black Heritage Society through the years. When Hunter approached her with the idea about Coles’ exhibit, library staff saw it as a way to celebrate local artists like Coles and combine music and art. It also was nice timing to highlight him during Black History Month. She said the finished exhibit didn’t disappoint.

“It was stunning. I watched him put it up and once it was all up the first thing you notice is the eyes of all the people in the portraits. It is arresting. That has been the most common comment we have heard from people who walk in. They say, ‘wow, how does he do the eyes like that?’ It is so expressive,” she said.

While he can appreciate the timing during Black History Month, Coles said he feels his artwork should be shared all year round to drive home that “we have talents and gifts that can be shared 365 days a year, not just in February.”

Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com.

the plan is the county’s long-range vision of Hanover over the next 25 years, addressing land use, housing, economic development and

UpcomingEvents:

OscarWeekend Till:

February23 at 7pm

WomenTalking: February24 at 2pm

February25 at 8pm

TheWhale: February24 at 7pm

Living: February25 at 5:30pm

AllQuietontheWesternFront: February26 at 12pm

KingRichard

February25 at 11am (FreeShowing)

HanoverCountyParks&Reccelebrates

Black HistoryMonthwiththisfree showing!

relief through programs such as tax exempt properties, the land use program, tax relief for the elderly and disabled, and the disabled veterans program.

Budesky highlighted possible options such as relief for specific groups (elderly, disabled, veterans, surviving spouses, agricultural landowners, religious institutions); a rebate offered to real property owners through bill abatement or a check (the cost would be $2 million per penny of real

property tax for one year); and a reduction offered to real property owners.

“What can we do to avoid having to pass on these costs to our residents in the first place? The assessments are higher but how can we reduce that burden or impact,” Budesky said during his presentation. “We are looking at ways to do that. We have heard our residents; we need to do something. This board has demonstrated a commitment to take that step.”

The finance committee has asked staff to look at no less than a 4 cent impact on residents, he added.

However, as the board looks at those relief options, it also still has to consider how to meet the county’s needs, balancing workforce and service levels, infrastructure needs and the burden on Hanover citizens.

Some of the highlights of the county administrator’s budget include:

„ Budesky outlined the suggested breakdown of how to use the $33.2 million increase in the General Fund, with 30% going to public safety and human services; 30% to capital improvements and debt; 23% to the schools; 17% to the remaining departments. However, he also put plans in the wider context of the five-year plan.

„ Capital investment: This budget recommends $151 million for the replacement of three school facilities and the major renovation of another. This budget funds the replacement of Battlefield Park Elementary and a major renovation of Beaverdam Elementary (FY2024) and the replacement of Washington-Henry Elementary School (FY2025) – three schools that are over 80 years old.

The capital investment plan calls for the replacement of three fire stations, Doswell #4, Courthouse

#10, and Montpelier #8. The order will be determined based on site feasibility and operational impacts. The initial station replacement is cash funded in FY2024 with additional replacements following in FY2025 and FY2028. A new addition to the capital improvements plan is the Public Safety Building slated for FY2026, which would be a combined administrative and training facility located on the County Complex for the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and Fire-EMS Department. Additionally, there is a $16.9 million investment in ambulance and fire engine replacement, improvements at the sheriff’s office firing range, $5.1 million of park enhancements, plus another $8.2 million in building renovations and preventative maintenance over the next five years.

„ Road infrastructure: Budesky was really pleased to present the five-year CIP for road projects, with $151.9 million in projects planned for locations all over the county. The projects are possible largely because of funds the county gets from the Central Virginia Transportation Authority, as well as federal and state dollars. Some of the projects on the list include the Atlee Station Widening phases 2 and 3; rural safety and paving projects; Pole Green widening; Sliding Hill/Peaks roundabout; Greenwood/ Blanton and Ashland Road roundabout; and 17 remaining projects.

„ Public safety and human services: The proposed budget recommends a merit pay increase for roughly 900 employees and adding three firefighter/ medic positions, a law clerk as well as continued funding for three bailiffs and six Community Services Board positions that were approved in the middle of

FY2023 to ensure that training and hiring struggles could be mitigated as much as possible in terms of impacts to residents receiving services. Additionally, there has been $600,000 added to fund the Children Services Act plus increased funding for overtime and additional equipment across the public safety functional area.

„ Schools: Funding recommended for the school division will assist in providing the governor’s recommended 5% salary increase for teachers and staff. The school system has also allocated funding to support salary enhancements and decompression for targeted job families to further improve starting salaries, pay equity and regional competitiveness. Additionally, the school division has proposed the addition of 13 special education teachers, four early childhood teachers and two additional English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers. The budget also recommends local funding to continue providing positions and resources to staff and students that were originally funded by the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER).

„ Remaining services: The recommended budget includes a 5 % merit adjustment for county employees and the addition of several new positions, which are two employees for the Montpelier Center, two at convenience centers, two in capital projects and grant oversight, two in technology and one in facilities management.

Budesky noted that there are $6 million in unfunded requested positions in the five-year plan because “there is always more need identified than even the budget with the current tax rate can support.”

„ Twenty-five-year capital outlook: Hanover County is currently developing a 25-year capital improvement outlook. Early drafts of this outlook identified $3.1 billion worth of county capital needs – across all facets of governmental and school operations – over this timeframe. This outlook identifies the capital projects, estimated costs in today’s dollars, and the estimated timeframe in which these projects could be considered for legislative decisioning. These needs aren’t based on growth projections but on taking care of existing facilities that have aged out and are beyond their useful life, Budesky said.

„ Maintaining business competitiveness: County staff is recommending the board establish a data center rate. Data centers are an opportunity for the county to bring lower impact, lower traffic, higher investment, higher paying jobs to Hanover County, Budesky said.

“Currently we don’t compete in the region. This is an opportunity for us to consider this rate and make sure we are business competitive,” he said.

The board of supervisors had few questions immediately following the presentation but thanked Budesky and staff for their hard work on the budget.

Important dates in the upcoming budgets schedule are: Feb. 22, presentations from the schools, public utilities, workforce and supplemental financial information (request to authorize public hearing); March 8, budget work session (request to authorize relief options); March 22, presentation on state impacts and potential amendments; April 5, public hearings; and April 12, budget adoption.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HANOVER COUNTY

Hanover County administrator John budesky presents the fiscal year 2024 county administrator’s proposed budget to the board of supervisors on Feb. 15.

Local Girl Scouts celebrate World Thinking Day

INFORMATION AND PHOTOS

PROVIDED BY AMY BUCHANAN

Girl Scouts and Girl Guides across 150 countries celebrate World Thinking Day in February each year. World Thinking Day is a day of international friendship and a time to stand up for causes that could improve the lives of girls around the globe. Many local Girl Scouts celebrated Thinking Day on Feb. 12 at the Church of the Redeemer in Mechanicsville. Troops researched their country, explored environmental challenges and how they could work to remediate them, crafted SWAPS, informational displays, and prepared crafts and games to teach their fellow Girl Scouts.

brownies in Troop 443 teach other Girl scouts about south Korea.

a group of Junior Girl scouts learn about south africa.

daisy Girl scouts learn about cocoa beans and Girl Guides in Ghana.

brownies in Troop 443 display their south Korea swaps to give out to Girl scouts.

Girls in Troop 233 researched India and taught other girls about Indian spices and art.

at the end of the Thinking day, 135 local Girl scouts gather to sing “Make new Friends.”

Girls in Troop 5492 teach younger scouts about england.

Loraine Boyd

OBITUARIES

Mark M. Murphy

MURPHY, Mark M., 67, of Mechanicsville, Va., passed on Saturday, January 21, 2023. He is survived by his children, Adam Murphy, 31, Bernadette Nunn, 24, and Joseph Murphy, 22. The family will be together for a small, private service and gathering and a public celebration of life will

be held at a later date. Mark had a big, contagious laugh, he never knew a stranger and cared deeply for those around him. We are grateful for your kind words and continued prayers as we process this loss together.

Page 2A

BOYD, Loraine, 90, of Mechanicsville, Va., gained her heavenly wings, Thursday, February 16, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Boyd; her daughter, Connie Newcomb; her parents, James and Manchie Alexander; and her sister, Nettie Christian. She is survived by her son, Jimmy Jenkins; two grandchildren, Andy Cersley and Jenny Allen; two great-grandchildren, Kimber Allen and Colten Cersley; and many other relatives and friends. Loraine loved the Lord and had a strong faith. She worked as a collection agent for many financial institutions over the years including the Federal Reserve. She loved crafting and owned “My Favorite Things” craft shop. Loraine loved her family and friends with all her heart and was a wonderful mother and grandmother. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at Monaghan Funeral Home, 7300 Creighton Pkwy., Mechanicsville, Va. 23111, with a funeral service to follow at noon. Interment will be held at 3 p.m., at Holly Grove Christian Church, 1637 Holly Grove Drive, Bumpass, Va. 23024. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to Holly Grove Christian Church.

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Deadline is 12 p.m. Friday for the following week’s issue.

natural resources. It also provides guidance on where growth may be appropriate throughout the county and what that growth should look like. Hanover residents’ feedback will shape the Comprehensive Plan and decisions regarding growth, preservation and public investment for years to come. based upon the feedback received, the project team has been working to identify key concepts related to land use, economic development and historic resources. These preliminary ideas will be introduced at a series of events scheduled in January and February. residents will be able to share their ideas by participating with an in-person meeting or webinar, depending upon their schedules. The Hanover board of supervisors will hold public work sessions on the Comprehensive Plan on March 8, May 10 and July 26. The current schedule calls for the Planning Commission to hold a public hearing on the proposed update in august, with the board’s public hearing to take place a month later. For information on the planning process, and how you can participate, visit www.envisionhanover.com. you can also follow the process on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

background check. This academy is designed to give participants an inside look into law enforcement with the Hanover County sheriff’s Office. Interested seniors are urged to download an application at http://www.hanoversheriff.com/199/senior-Citizens-Police-academy or contact deputy evan Povar at (804) 365-3363 for an application or additional information. also, the application needs to be notarized. The deadline to apply is March 10, 2023.

Powhatan Today, Month day, 2022

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.

OBITUARY SUBMISSIONS

d eacon in charge of a ll s ouls. Visit www.allsoulsva.org.

a Healing and recovery ss Class meets at 9 a.m. at the Walnut Grove b a ptist Church at 7046 Cold Harbor rd. in Mechanicsville. The class is for adults 18 and over and is an extension of the northstar community that also meets at 6 p.m. Fridays at the church. The Christian 12 steps and biblical wisdom are the basis of study and discussion to learn about God’s place in our lives. all are welcome. Contact 804-746-5081 or contact Craig simpson at craigwgbc@gmail.com.

Outside the Walls, a narcotics anonymous group, meets from 6 to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the Pamunkey regional Jail at 7240 Courtland Farm rd. in Hanover. Contact John shinholser, Mcshin president, at 804-249-1845. The website is http://www.mcshin.org.

TUESDAYS

THURSDAYS

The ashland rotary Club meets weekly at noon at the Iron Horse restaurant at 100 s. railroad ave. in ashland. For more information, contact steve d unham at 804496-6093 or sandrdunham@yahoo.com.

Call 804-643-4414, ext. 3

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OBITUARY SUBMISSIONS

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Deadline is noon Friday for the following week’s issue.

The Hanover Concert band rehearses from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. every Tuesday, mid-January through mid- december, at the Hanover arts and activities Center at 500 s. railroad ave. in ashland, just south of u.s. 54. Membership is open to anyone who can read music and play a non-string instrument. High school students are welcome with parents’ permission. Visit www.hanoverconcertband.org or call 804-789-0536.

Overcomers Outreach & Women’s Codependency is a Christcentered anonymous support program offering hope and healing for recovering alcoholics, addicts and their families. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. at shalom baptist Church at 8116 Walnut Grove road Mechanicsville. For more information, call 804-366-6524 or email mjfaith1@gmail.com. new Highland baptist Church hosts open basketball gym time for adults in the Christian Life Center (CLC) starting at 7:30 PM. The church is located at 9200 new ashcake road in Mechanicsville use the side back entrance to enter. Contact Jeff Fitzgerald at jkfitzgerald@comcast.net.

Walnut Grove baptist Church will be conducting Free a dult e nglish Classes ( es L) and Citizenship Classes (Passing the Test) Wednesday mornings with open enrollment through May 17, 2023. Classes will meet from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at 7046 Cold Harbor road, Mechanicsville, Va 23111. For more information, contact the church office at (804) 746-5081 or contact Frank at wgbcinfo@ comcast.net or (804) 402-7701. The classes are free but students are asked to purchase the books required for the class.

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SATURDAYS

Trinity Lutheran Church, ashland Campus, located at 11515 ashcake road in ashland 2 miles west of u.s. 1, holds its church service at 5 p.m. with Pastor rev. dr. roy Minnix. Visit www.trinityrichmond.net or call 804-270-9626.

SUNDAYS

The american Legion Post 175, located at 8700 bell Creek road in Mechanicsville, holds a “Meet and Greet, Coffee and d o nut” event from 9-11 a.m. every Tuesday for the community and perspective members to meet members and learn about what they do for the community. Visit http://www. post175.org/.

Civil air Patrol, Hanover squadron, meets Thursdays, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fairfield Presbyterian Church, 6930 Cold Harbor road, in Mechanicsville. CaP is an awesome program for youth, ages 1221, as well as for adults who care about young people and want to help train america’s next generation of Leaders. you’ll find cadet life exciting if you enjoy Flying, Leadership Training, Model rocketry, earning rank & awards, and much more. Visit hanover.vawg. cap.gov or contact Capt James Wright at 804-551-3354 or james. wright@vawg.cap.gov.

WEDNESDAYS

The Hanover County sheriff’s Office will be hosting its 14th annual senior Citizens Police academy. The senior Citizens Police academy will take place april 11 to June 20. The academy will be held every Tuesday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at The Montpelier Community Center, located at 17203 sycamore Tavern Lane, Montpelier, Va 23192. There will be no cost for the participants. Class size will be limited to the first 30 seniors who register. The program will be available to people 55 years of age or older who are residents, business owners or county employees. applicants must also be willing to submit to a

send news items to Powhatan today

e-mail: lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com or call 804-363-1577

all souls episcopal Church celebrates Holy eucharist rite II at 9:15 a.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church at 8154 atlee rd. in Mechanicsville. a nursery will be available for infants and toddlers. Katherine G. d ougherty is the

Hanover rotar y meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at roma’s restaurant at 7240 bell Creek rd. in Mechanicsville. due to the pandemic, contact President Penny at pennyguiles43@gmail.com for current meeting at roma’s or Zoom connection information.

OBITUARY SUBMISSIONS

FRIDAYS

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The building bridges group of n arcotics a nonymous is a fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. The group’s mission is to bring a message of hope and recovery to those suffering from addiction issues. They meet on Fridays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mechanicsville united Methodist Church, 7356 atlee road in Mechanicsville. Visit rvana.org.

Deadline is noon Friday for the following week’s issue.

Night to Shine crowns kings and queens

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Night to Shine was held Friday, Feb. 10 at both Cool Spring Baptist Church in Mechanicsville and Hope Church off Patterson Avenue. Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night for individuals with disabilities, ages 14 and up, centered on God’s love. The event was started eight years ago by the Tim Tebow Foundation and now happens in over 500 churches, and over 30 countries, on the same night each February. Tim Tebow and his wife Demi, make it to several of the locations each year. They came to the Richmond location in 2018. The event includes a red carpet walk,

a sit down dinner, professional photos, dancing, karaoke, caricature drawings, limo rides, photo booths and photo opportunities with Disney princesses and pageant winners. Between the two Richmond locations this year, there were 514 guests and over 1,000 volunteers serving. The event is embraced by the Richmond community with many financial donors as well as those donating their time and services. Supporters this year included James Limousine, Chick-fil-A, Sheetz, ABLENow, Attack Foundation, Estes, Riverwood Events & catering, Peernet Group, Sign Gypsies and Papa Johns.

ASHLAND

HAAC offering ‘Spring Into Painting’ series

ROSLYN RYAN Richmond Suburban News

For those who have always wanted to try painting, or who would like to improve their painting skills, the Hanover Arts and Activities Center will be hosting a series of weekly studio art classes this spring.

Beginning in April, nationally recognized artist and author Dan Bartges offer instruction for all levels (beginners to advanced) and in all media (oils, acrylics, watercolors or charcoal).

A Florida native who now calls Ashland home, Bartges has had a varied and exciting career: In addition to working in advertising and writing books, he once spent a year as a deckhand on foreign cargo ships.

Last week, he took a few minutes to share with us his thoughts on several art-related topics—including what first sparked his love of art— as well as how he landed that seafaring gig.

On how he discovered

his love of painting:

“For me it started with drawing. When I was 5, my father called me to the kitchen table. He had a sheet of paper and pencil and drew two simple scenes — a fly fisherman and a distant train coming down the tracks. That simple demonstration struck me as pure, unforgettable magic. I still think of painting and drawing as magic.”

On the painters he most admires:

“There are several such as Turner, Monet, Sargent, Walter Anderson and more.”

On those who say “I would love to paint, but I don’t think I am very artistically inclined”:

“Unfortunately, that misconception has deprived millions of people of experiencing the thrill of painting and drawing. Many studies have concluded that practically everyone can learn to draw and paint. All it takes is 1) Desire and 2) Effort. That holds true even for women

and men who became famous artists. Right now I have a student who resolved to learn to paint — at 92! It’s brought him countless hours of pleasure, invigorating challenges and satisfaction.”

On his adventures as a young seafarer:

Here’s the short version of that odyssey: I impulsively took a year off from college between my junior and senior years. In New Orleans, I fulfilled my childhood dream by finagling a berth on a foreign cargo ship as a workaway deckhand. With a letter of recommendation from that captain and a passport, it became much easier to land jobs on other cargo ships — almost like hitchhiking. When I returned to college, I started making As for the first time in my life, enabling me to enter and excel in grad school.

On how his prior career experience has influenced his art:

“The 12 years I spent as senior vice president of The

Martin Agency strengthened my self-confidence and, more importantly, taught me how to approach corporate CEOs in order to win large painting commissions.”

On what he would like students to take away from his class:

“I have only two objectives for my studio-art classes: Help students to discover and improve their artistic skills and, more importantly, to learn to experience the thrill of painting. There’s nothing else like it. It’s magic.”

Dan Bartges’ weekly class series will be limited to 15 participants, and registration is on a first come, first served basis. Subjects will include a live model and still lifes. Class will be held on Monday evenings from 7-9 p.m ., April 17 and 24 and May 1 and 8. The one-time fee is $80 for all four two-hour classes. Some materials are not included, and the instructor will send a supply list before the class. Bartges may be contacted directly with questions at dkbartges@verizon.net.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS AT HANOVER LIBRARIES

RICHARD S. GILLIS, JR./ ASHLAND BRANCH LIBRARY

Call 804-798-4072 or visit the library at 201 S. Railroad Ave. for more information.

beginning Chair yoga at the ashland branch Library, Thursdays, Feb. 23, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Chair yoga is a gentle form of yoga which is done with the assistance of a chair for those with physical challenges or adults who don’t want the rigor of a typical yoga session. attendees should wear loose clothing and bring a small blanket. space is limited. From the Heart stitchers at the ashland branch Library. Thursdays, Feb. 23, March 23, noon to 4 p.m. From the Heart stitchers began in 2001 making chemo hats for the Massey Cancer Center and today has over 1,899 stitchers making thousands of items for service groups across the Commonwealth. sew, knit, crochet or loom anything from blankets to shawls and everything in between. bring a sewing machine, knitting needles, etc.

Please see LIBRARIES, Page 19

Project: Homes seeking to help Ashland residents with needed home repairs

ROSLYN RYAN Richmond Suburban News

For those who struggle to afford needed home repairs, simply staying warm through the winter months or safely accessing their homes can be a daunting challenge. If the homeowner is living with a disability, the situation can be even more overwhelming.

Fortunately, as Project: Homes’ Rishonda Anthony explained in a presentation during the Feb. 7 Ashland Town Council meeting, there are resources available

to help meet those needs for Ashland residents.

Anthony, who serves as the Richmond-based nonprofit’s director of client services, told council members that her organization has spent the last three decades working to provide the kind of services that allow elderly, disabled and low-income residents remain safely in their homes.

What began as a division of Senior Connections, a nonprofit focused on helping area seniors, would eventu-

ally, thanks in part to a federal grant, become a thriving organization of its own.

“Our mission is to improve lives by improving homes,” Anthony explained, as well as to help challenge misconceptions about what defines affordable housing. To that end, the organization’s 50-member staff works to coordinate a wide range of services including electrical and plumbing repairs, roof repair and replacement, and wheelchair ramp installation.

In addition to home re-

pairs, the group also works to renovate and resell dilapidated properties and connect families with housing opportunities in Bermuda Estates, a Chesterfield mobile home park purchased by Project: Homes in 2020.

While the organization was not immune to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and had to make significant operational adjustments, Project: Homes has continued to push ahead. The group was able to serve around 2,500 households in

the Richmond area last year, Anthony said, and they are looking to serve eight to 12 Ashland residents this year.

“Our vision is to be a leader in housing solutions that enable individuals and families to live full, independent lives in safe and healthy homes, neighborhoods and communities,” Anthony said.

She added that sometimes homes may not look from the outside as though they have been improved—even though Project: Homes does do yard clearing and exte-

rior painting when the need arises—but residents still benefit greatly from interior repairs and energy efficiency upgrades.

As Ashland mayor Steve Trivett noted after Anthony’s presentation, the group’s work is undoubtedly making a critical difference in the lives of those it serves.

“While it may not look new and improved from the outside, if you’re living in substandard conditions it looks glorious on the inside,” he said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HANOVER ARTS AND ACTIVITIES CENTER Participants in the Hanover arts and activities Center’s upcoming spring Into Painting series will have the opportunity to paint using a live model.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS AT MECHANICSVILLE LIBRARIES

ATLEE BRANCH LIBRARY

Call 804-559-0654 or visit the library at 9212 Rutlandshire Drive for more information.

Mother Goose storytime at the atlee b ranch Library. Wednesday, Feb. 22, March 1, 8, 15 and 22, 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 28, March 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10:30 — 11 a.m. Mother Goose is a storytime for children age 6 to 24 months and their caregivers. Have fun with nursery rhymes, singing and reading.

have the heart to throw away? Or maybe you have a book with a lot of sentimental value that deserves a display of its own? Whether an old book or new, this project has only 40 pages of folding to create a beautiful heart to display on any shelf!

topics from Virginia Cooperative extension’s Master Gardeners. This session’s topic is “Tips for Preventing disease in Hydrangeas.”

Patrick Henry students lift their voices to sing

PHOTOS COURTESY

HANOVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Chorus students at Patrick Henry High School, under the direction of Marc Lawson, learned about and sang “Lift

Every Voice and Sing” in class last week, celebrating the hymn, which was written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson in 1900. It was set to music by Johnson’s brother for the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday in 1905.

Toddler storytime at the atlee b ranch Library. Tuesdays, Feb. 28, March 7, 14, 21 and 28, 11 –11:30 a.m. W ednesdays, Feb. 22, March 1, 8, 15 and 22, 11 to 11:30 a.m. enjoy a stor ytime of books, music and fun for toddlers ages 2-3 and their caregivers. book Heart Folding at the atlee branch Library, Thursday, Feb. 23. book Folding, or book Origami, is essentially the art of folding pages within books to create 3d shapes. In this book Folding session, we will create a simple heart design that does not include any cutting — only markings and folding! do you have an old or damaged hardcover book that you just don’t

Preschool storytime at the atlee branch Library, Mondays, Feb. 27, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 10:30 — 11 a.m. enjoy a storytime of books, music, and fun for preschoolers 3-5 years old and their caregivers. atlee bridge Group at the atlee branch Library. Tuesdays, Feb. 28, March 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ages 18 and up. every Tuesday the atlee bridge Group meets to play social rubber bridge. all levels welcome, from beginner to expert.

Fun and Games at the atlee b ranch Library, Wednesdays, March 1 and 15, 1 – 4 p.m. ages 18 and up. Meet up with friends and have a great time with card and board games.

Hanover Master Gardeners’ Home Gardening s eries at the atlee branch Library, saturday, March 4, 10:30 a.m. — 1 p.m. Learn about a variety of home gardening

Make your Own Miniature Garden at the atlee branch Library, saturday, March 4, 2 — 3:30 p.m. Create a miniature garden in your own terrarium. s eats are limited, sign up required at https:// pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/ event/9742976.

atlee book Group at the atlee branch Library, Wednesday, March 8, 11 a.m. — noon. Join us in-person or on Zoom for a lively book discussion. We will be reading “Gray Mountain” by John Grisham. you can pick up a copy of the book at the atlee branch Library Circulation d esk while supplies last. registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/event/9742334. This program is presented in-person and hosted virtually through Zoom. The meeting link will be sent to the email registered one day before the event occurs. If you don’t receive your reminder email, contact the library.

Please see MECHANICSVILLE, Page 19

OF

MECHANICSVILLE-ASHLAND LOCAL

SPORTS

Upcoming Games

February 24: randolphMacon men’s basketball OdaC Tournament quarterfinals

February 24: VHsL region 4b girls basketball semifinals

Atlee, Hanover claim indoor track region titles

ROBBY FLETCHER Sports Editor

It seems at every meet, someone with the Atlee Raiders or Hanover Hawks indoor track teams are about to do something special.

Through a season of personal bests, first place trophies and rising standouts following in the paths of the great track and field athletes before them, the season managed to get even better with the finish line in sight to wrap up the 2022-23 season as the Hanover Hawks girls team and the Atlee Raiders boys team took home the gold with region titles in the VHSL Class 4, Region B Championships.

The two-day meet on Feb. 14 and 16 was hosted at Highland Springs High School, where the weather was bright and sunny with a strong wind on the final day that saw the Hawks and Raiders come out on top hoisting their trophies.

Atlee also nearly took the first place title away from Hanover in the girls competition, finishing in second with 124.33 team points, but the Hawks were able to do what they do best in the running events, and held off their Capital District colleague with 140 points.

On the boys side, Atlee was far and away the best team, finishing with 139 points compared to second place Courtland’s 102, while Hanover finished with a respective third place finish with 91 points. Mechanicsville and Patrick rounded out the top-5 with the Mustangs finishing in fourth.

The Atlee boys team flexed

their unmatched depth with wins in three distance competitions, all of which included Patrick Allen. Allen proved too fast with too much endurance for the competition to keep up, and the star Raider cruised to victories in the 1600 meter run (4:23.07) and 3200 meter run (9:31.24) while also helping win the 4x800 alongside Travis Albon, Carson Echard and Andre Chavez (8:03.34).

Albon also finished in second behind Allen in the 1600 (4:28.99) to give Atlee one of three second place finishes. The other two performances to generate a silver medal finish were R.K. Gathje’s 12-foot pole vault leap and Carson Echard’s finish in the 100-meter run (2:37.50).

Their girls team also had two additional top performers in Zoe Curtis and Mackenzie Brittle, with Curtis claiming first place in the high jump with an excellent

4-10 leap with her teammate Kelsey Lee finishing in second at 4-8.

Brittle, competing in shot put, was one of two athletes to top over 30 feet, with Eastern View’s Summer Gee being the only other thrower to manage the feat. Brittle beat Gee by nearly an entire foot on her best throw, which measured in at 31-06.25.

Senior Courtney Mudd will be joining her teammates at states as well, setting a new personal record in the 1000-meter run at 3:06.87 while placing third in the process.

The Hawks’ girls team looked unbeatable in nearly every track event, with the team seeing five events end with first place wins. Two of those came from Alli Crytser, with the decorated senior closing her high school running career making things look easy just as she always had. She claimed top spots in

the 1000 meter run (2:57.85) and the 1600 meter run (5:07.23) on her own, while Hanover’s 4x800 relay team won with a time of 9:41.10.

In the 300-meter dash, sophomore Jaelynn Joiner sped through the event with a blazing 40.50-second time to win another event for her Hawks. She also finished second in the 500-meter dash (1:18.39).

Sophomore Ellie Agustin added the fifth first-place win for the Hawks, winning the 3200 in a landslide with a 11:11.79 time that gave her a 10-second difference between her and second place. Like her sophomore teammate Joiner, Agustin also added another second place result to her championshipwinning day, placing second behind Cryster in the 1600 with a time of 5:08.70.

Hanover athlete Deonte Harris also showed out for the boys team, winning first place in the triple jump (449.5), 55-meter hurdles (7.80) and placing second in the long jump (21-9). His teammate Todd Benhase also won in the pole vault (13-3) and Robbie Seifert placed first in the high jump (5-10).

The Mustangs also had a positive performance in the regional championship, with a handful of winners in the boys competitions and some states-bound athletes who finished within the top-3. Their best performances came in the 500 and 1000-meter dashes, with Blake Moody taking a region title in the 500 with a time of 1:04.57 and Carter Smith winning the 1000 with a time of 2:35.43. Moody also finished second in the 300

(34.79) while Smith placed third in the 1600 (4:30.28).

For Patrick Henry, three individual runners as well as the 4x200 relay team will continue their season at states, with the relay team capturing a first place finish with a time of 1:32.38. A second place finish from runner Andrew Senfield in the 3200 (9:35.63) and third place finishes from Shamar Williams in the 55-meter dash (6.51) and Jayden Brown in the 55-meter hurdles (8.36) were good enough to advance those Patriots to states and continue on with their seasons.

Those states-bound runners will have a quick turnaround as they prepare for the Class 4 State Championship on Feb. 27-28, which will once again be held at Liberty University.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

atlee’s boys team came away victorious with a Class 4, region b title thanks to first place finishes in multiple events, including the 4x400 relay that features andre Chavez, Travis albon, Carson echard and Patrick allen.

PHOTO BY ROBBY FLETCHER

Hanover’s deonte Harris, from left, Patrick Henry’s Jayden brown and atlee’s Kendrick Matheny compete in the finals for the 55-meter hurdles.

Elaal is a state runner-up in final appearance as a Mustang

ROBBY FLETCHER Sports Editor

The turnaround was quick for senior Joe Elaal and his four Mechanicsville teammates as they transitioned their attention from the Region 4B Wrestling Tournament to the bigger stage of the Class 4 State Championship held at Virginia Beach Sports Center on Feb. 17-18.

Elaal, a decorated wrestler at Mechanicsville who has emerged as one of the state’s most dynamic athletes on the mat in his high school career, had one last chance to represent his school and come away with the sought after state gold medal.

He got that opportunity after running though his first three matches and setting up a rematch with Eastern View’s Brett Clatterbaugh, the same wrestler who gave Elaal a rare loss in last week’s 215-pound regional final with a 3-2 decision. Clatterbaugh was able

to duplicate the result on the larger stage, once again defeating Mechanicsville’s top performer in another 3-2 decision that came down to the wire and tested the endurance of its two stars held at center stage with all eyes on them.

The second consecutive runner-up result may have stung for the Mechanicsville senior, but no one will doubt the effort he put in to get to that stage. Elaal earned two escapes against Clatterbaugh, but the Eastern View giant added an escape of his own along with a go-ahead takedown that pushed him ahead by a single point in the final moments of the final.

After finishing up his time at Mechanicsville, Elaal now looks ahead to a collegiate wrestling career at Washington & Lee, where he’ll enter the next level as a decorated newcomer.

Elaal was one of four stateplacers for Mechanicsville,

as fellow seniors Jacob Koenig, Drew Kozubal and Kevin Bagby all placed fourth in their weight classes.

Koenig, competing in the 175-pound class, was fresh off a state title at Powhatan High School and rode that momentum with a 3-2 record at states. In the consolation semifinals against

Liberty High School’s Logan Buchanan, Koenig guaranteed himself a spot in the third place match with a 13-3 major decision, railing off three near falls, a takedown and a reversal.

Kozubal made it to the semifinals of the 157-pound class after an opening round decision victory and a first

period pin versus Louisa County’s Kasey Casazza in the quarterfinals, but he also had to work his way into the third match game after a close 3-2 loss to Dominion’s Santiago Pena. He won the consolation semifinals over Broad Run’s Doug Bloodsworth with a pin in 3:20.

Bagby added the other fourth place finish in the 150-pound weight class, coming off his own region title victory with a strong start to the state tournament featuring a gutsy 4-2 decision over Kettle Run wrestler Fortune Fangamou.

After falling in the semifinals, Bagby won the consolation semifinals with another close win, defeating Dinwiddie’s Quentin Mankin with a 3-1 decision where he started with an early takedown and pulled away with a third period escape.

Some of the other top results out of the Capital District include a third place

finish from Atlee’s Eric Ludwig in the 113-pound bracket after he entered the state championship with a region title under his belt. Ludwig earned a spot in the semifinals after winning a thriller of a quarterfinals matchup against Tuscarora’s Ibrahim Barokah, which ended in a 7-6 decision in the Atlee star’s favor.

He bounced back from a tough semifinals loss with a consolation semifinals win by major decision and a pin in 3:24 over Barokah in a rematch to decide who took home third place.

Hanover also had two state-placers in 138-pound Robert Owens and 144-pond David Hart. Owens previously won his region title last week, while Hart placed second.

Patrick Henry then finished with one state-placing wrestler in 215-pound Jason Cooper, who placed fourth at regions.

Carlton carries Mustangs in playoff battle versus Indians

Two teams took to the court at Mechanicsville High School Friday night looking to extend their seasons in the first round of the Class 4, Region B Girls Basketball Tournament. They took two divergent paths to get there.

For the visiting Powhatan Indians, a postseason run would give valuable experience to a very young team who spent most of their offseason learning under a new head coach.

For the Mechanicsville Mustangs, it was a chance to save what was once a renaissance season from plunging into obscurity. Two weeks earlier, Mechanicsville was the No. 2 seed in Region 4B, but the loss of senior Bennett Carlton to injury late in the season saw the

Mustangs struggle and fall to sixth place, setting up the match with the 11-seeded Indians.

In a game where offensive opportunities were few, it was Carlton who put her team on her back, scoring 20 points to help Mechanicsville outlast Powhatan, 35-33.

It was her first game back for the Mustangs.

“I was so excited when the doctor told me I could play,” Carlton recalled. “I wanted to bring my team together and bring that leadership.”

Carlton started hot, scoring nine of her 20 points in the first period, helping the Mustangs (176) to a 13-9 lead after one quarter. The home fans held their breath when Carlton went down hard, hurting her left ankle. But, minutes later, she returned to action.

Angst returned to the Mustang bench when Kate Carlton picked up her third foul with 4:25 left in the half, leading 19-11. That’s when Powhatan made a late move, cutting the deficit to three points at halftime down 21-18. Junior Katherine Cerullo led the charge, scoring nine of her 10 points before intermission.

The third period belonged to Powhatan’s Emma Terry. With Mechanicsville starting the stanza on a 5-0 run to increase its lead to eight, the sophomore drained a 3-pointer, then forced back-toback turnovers, turning them into easy lay-ups for a personal 7-0 run. Powhatan took the lead briefly at 27-26, but Kate Carlton’s free throws as the quarter ended gave the Mustangs the 28-27 edge. Cerullo tied it with a free throw

with 6:34 left, then Powhatan tied the game once more at 30-30. Defense dominated the final quarter, as Bennett Carlton wasn’t able to break the tie until 1:41 left in the contest. Then, an important feed in the paint to sophomore Elizabeth Hardwick gave the Mustang her only field goal of the night, but a big one, increasing the lead to 34-30 with a minute to play.

Powhatan’s Corynn Lampman drilled a trey with 18 seconds left to draw the Indians within a point. Having to foul, Powhatan sent Ashley Owens to the line, who made one free throw for a 35-33 lead with 2.9 seconds left.

Cerullo received the inbounds pass, made it just past half-court, but her shot at the horn only hit the backboard. Mechanicsville had finally experienced victory af-

ter losing five of its last six games. It was a tough way to end the season for Powhatan, but knowing that 31 of the team’s 33 points were scored by underclassmen underscores the bright future ahead for head coach Steve Washburn and the Indians.

Terry, Cerullo and Lampman form a core of returnees that will help Powhatan benefit from a full offseason with Washburn.

The Mustangs advanced to face third-seed Chancellor in the quarterfinal round, a team they scrimmaged back in November. The team hopes to have freshman point guard Kedelin Santos back, finally getting the full team back together on the court, while trying to keep the best season at Mechanicsville in many years alive and well.

PHOTO BY ROBBY FLETCHER Mechanicsville’s Joel elaal (right) battles against eastern View’s brett Clatterbaugh in the 215-pound Class 4 state Championship at Virginia beach sports Center on Feb. 18.

ROB WITHAM Special Correspondent

LEARNING THE TRADES

CLASSIFIEDS

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HANOVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Hanover Center for Trades and Technology recently hosted its Technical School Night. The event is THCTT’s version of a “College and Career Night’’ and provided students and families the opportunity to meet with representatives from various post-secondary schools and businesses to learn about opportunities within their organizations.

HCPS CELEBRATES STUDENTS’ PASSION FOR KINDNESS

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HANOVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Students in Mrs. Cross’ and Mrs. Moran’s fourth grade classes at Mechanicsville Elementary School recently showcased their Kindness Passion Projects with funding from the Hanover Education Foundation during the Kindness Share Fair (think science fair but for kindness projects)! From special acts of kindness for Hanover County Fire-EMS Department to giving back to members of the MES staff, these students did an amazing job showcasing the value of being kind!

HanoverEvangelicalFriends

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CentralVirginiaCoinClubShow

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Libraries

and supplies, and make items for From the Heart every fourth Thursday. see https:// fromtheheartstichers.org/ for more information about this organization.

a Look into the Hanover County archives

1734-1859 at the ashland branch Library, Thursday, Feb. 23, 7 — 8 p.m. Through the presentation of images of historic plats, court orders, pleadings, exhibits and other documents filed in Hanover County from its earliest days in the 1700s to the time immediately preceding the Civil War, Circuit Court Clerk Frank d Hargrove Jr. provide unique insight into the early history of Hanover County. He also will share information about ongoing efforts to conserve and digitize the County’s historical records.

Mother Goose storytime at the ashland branch Library. Mondays, Feb. 27, March

6, 13, 20 and 27, 10:30 to 11 a.m. Mother Goose is a storytime for children age 6 to 24 months and their caregivers. Have fun with nursery rhymes, singing and reading.

Toddler/Preschool storytime at the ashland branch Library. Tuesdays, Feb. 28, March

7, 14, 21 and 28, 10:30 to 11 a.m. enjoy a storytime of books, music and fun for toddlers ages 2-3 and their caregivers.

Family storytime at the ashland branch Library. Tuesdays, Feb. 28, March 7, 14, 21 and 28, 11:30 a.m. to noon. enjoy a fun time with books, signing, rhymes and more. Family storytime is for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Mad about Mahjong! at the ashland branch Library, Friday, March 3, 10 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. Looking for experienced players to play with? Join other Mahjong enthusiasts

Mechanicsville

From 13

dnd Heist at the atlee branch Library, Thursday, March 9, 5 — 7 p.m. ages 12-18. Celebrate the new dnd movie with a fun Heist adventure. bring your level 3 character. register at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/event/9743470.

Chickahominy Colored Pencil artists at the atlee branch Library, Friday, March 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. ages 18 and up. Join the Chickahominy Colored Pencil artists at a monthly meeting to share ideas, techniques and skills in using colored pencils. bring your own individual supplies and projects and enjoy a time to sketch and make new friends. This is not an instructional class.

saturday Family storytime at the atlee branch Library, saturday, March 11, 11 — 11:30 a.m. enjoy a fun time with books, signing, rhymes and much more! Family storytime is for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. atlee Lego Club at the atlee branch Library, saturday, March 11, 3 — 4 p.m. For Grades

in playing the cultural tile game at the ashland Library!

Celebrate seuss! at the ashland branch Library. saturday, March 4, 11 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. enjoy a Family storytime, followed by games, crafts and treats that celebrate dr. seuss. sponsored by the Henry Clay Women’s Club.

Play & Learn at the ashland branch Library, Monday, March 6, 11 — 11:30 a.m. ages birth-3. enjoy Mother Goose stor ytime at 10:00 a.m., then stay and play with toys and friends.

Hanover Quilting Circle at the ashland branch Library, Wednesday, March 8, 5:30 — 8:30 p.m. Grab your sewing machine, supplies and current project! This group meets the second Wednesday of every month to share ideas, fabric, skills and stories! beginners, experienced quilters and those curious about the hobby are all welcome to drop in.

Must Love Words at the ashland branch Library, Wednesday, March 8, 7 – 8:30 p.m. ages 18 and up. Writers, are you looking for inspiration? need readers with a discerning eye? Join us for constructive feedback and discussion about the craft of writing on each of this month. due to group resources, email and word processing are used to communicate outside of meetings. access to email and familiarity with word processing is preferred.

Virginia native Plants for a small Garden at the ashland branch Library, saturday, March 11, 11 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. Many people would like to plant native plants in their yards, but don’t have a lot of space. This presentation, by a certified Virginia Master naturalist, will highlight Virginia native plants that stay small and spread slowly. Includes mostly perennial flowers, with some grasses, ferns and shrubs.

3 rivers Livestock Club at the ashland branch Library, Tuesday, March 14, 6:30

K-5. Join us at our Lego Club to meet and talk with other kids and builds some fantastic Lego creations! Located in the Children’s Programing room upstairs.

Paint night at the atlee branch Library, Tuesday, March 14, 7- 8 p.m. ages 18 and up. Grab your friends or come solo and create your very own floral masterpiece! all materials included and instructions provided. register at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/event/9749626.

Hula dancing Class at the atlee branch Library, Wednesday, March 15, 10:30 a.m. — noon, ages 18 and up. Join us to exercise your brain and body as you learn about hula dancing and culture at the atlee branch Library.

MECHANICSVILLE BRANCH LIBRARY

Call 804-746-9615 or visit the library at 7461 Sherwood Crossing Place for more information.

Preschool storytime at the Mechanicsville branch Library, Thursday, Feb. 23, March 2, 9, 16 and 23, enjoy books, music, fingerplays and much more at preschool storytime! For ages 3-5 with a caregiver.

Pokémon day at the Mechanicsville branch Library, saturday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m. — 1 p.m.

— 8:30 p.m. ages 5-18. Would you like to participate in planning community service events and hone your expressive arts skills? at our meetings, you can learn how to get involved in community and public affairs, how to be a good role model, how to give back to your community, and how to use time management skills to enjoy every part of your life.

a night for swing at the ashland branch Library, Wednesday, March 15, 7 — 8:30 p.m. “swing dancing” is an umbrella term for the many styles of dance that developed in response to the exciting new swing music of the 1920s and 30s. The “Lindy Hop,” “balboa,” “Collegiate shag,” and “Charleston” are a few of the more popular swing dances. Join an instructor from rVa swing to learn about the history of swing dancing and to learn a few basic steps. be prepared to learn, dance, and have fun!

HANOVER BRANCH LIBRARY

Call 804-365-6210 or visit the library at 7527 Library Drive for more information. Family storytime at the Hanover branch Library. Friday, Feb. 24, 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. enjoy a fun time with books, signing, rhymes and more. Family storytime is for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks at the Hanover branch Library, Wednesday, March 1, 7 – 8 p.m. ages 18 and up. Learn some tricks and tips for your spring Cleaning this year. Make a cute calendar that lists your chores in a fun to follow way. registration required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/event/10064893.

Family storytime at the Hanover branch Library, Fridays, March 3, 10, 24 and 31, 10:45 — 11:15 a.m. enjoy a fun time with books, signing, rhymes, and much more!

Family storytime is for children ages 0-5

Celebrate the anniversary of Pokémon with a variety of fun activities, crafts, and a showing of Pokémon: The First Movie! all ages welcome!

Hula dancing Class at the Mechanicsville branch Library, Mondays, Feb. 27, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 10:30 a.m. – noon. ages 16 and up. exercise your body and brain as you learn about hula dancing and culture at the library. Wear clothing you can dance in easily!

Mother Goose storytime at the Mechanicsville branch Library. Tuesdays, Feb. 28, March 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10:30 to 11 a.m. Mother Goose is a storytime for children age 6 to 24 months and their caregivers. Have fun with nursery rhymes, singing and reading.

Toddler storytime at the Mechanicsville branch Library. Tuesday, Feb. 28, March 7, 14, 21 and 28, 11 to 11:30 a.m. enjoy a storytime of books, music and fun for toddlers ages 2-3 and their caregivers.

Preschool storytime at the Mechanicsville branch Library, Thursdays, March 2, 9, 16 and 23, 10:30 — 11 a.m. enjoy books, music, fingerplays, and much more at preschool storytime! For ages 3-5 with a caregiver.

and their caregivers.

Hanover Playgroup at the Hanover branch Library, Tuesday, March 7, 10:30 — 11:30 a.m. Moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers! socialize with other adults while your children make new friends at our Tuesday Playgroup, held the first Tuesday of every month at the Hanover Library. all ages are welcome. refreshments will be provided.

LOIS WICKHAM JONES/MONTPELIER BRANCH LIBRARY

Call 804-883-7116 or visit the library at 17205 Sycamore Tavern Lane for more information.

Family storytime at the Montpelier branch Library. Thursday, Feb. 23, March 2, 9, 16 and 23, 4 to 4:30 p.m. enjoy a fun time with books, signing, rhymes and more. Family storytime is for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Library Transcribe-a-Thon at the Montpelier branch Library, Friday, March 3, 3-4 p.m. ages 16+. Looking for a meaningful way to support the library? Why not join the Transcribe-a-thon and enhance access to Library of Virginia collections covering 400 years of Virginia history, people, and culture. Working from a digital image of an original document, you will create a typed version while enjoying refreshments and the company of friends.

dungeons & dragons at the Montpelier branch Library, saturday, March 11, 10:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. For ages 13 and up. Join us to create an exciting story where you will go on bold adventurers and confront deadly perils. refreshments will be provided. registration required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/event/9779431.

Mystery book Club at the Montpelier branch Library, Monday, March 13, 6:30 — 7:30 p.m. ages 18 & up. Join us for a monthly

Tabletop Gaming at the Mechanicsville branch Library, saturday, March 4, 10 a.m. — 2 p.m., ages 18 and up. Join us at the library for a fun session of tabletop games! Have fun with a variety of tabletop roleplaying games and learn more about one-shot adventures and longer campaigns!

senior bingo at the Mechanicsville branch Library, Friday, March 10, 11 a.m. — 12:30 p.m., ages 55 and up. need to get out and do something that’s both fun and relaxing? stop by the library for a game of themed bingo for seniors! Presented by shanna beaumont, Membership Growth Consultant at JenCare senior Medical Center.

Philosophy in Film nightat the Mechanicsville branch Library, Monday, March 13, 6:30 — 7:30 p.m., ages 18 and up. Put your thinking caps on as we watch a short film from 1984 about a dog brought back to life and have a short philosophical discussion about the movie afterwards!

submitted by Carolyn Garner, adult public services coordinator.

discussion on our favorite mystery titles.

Montpelier Writer’s Group at the Montpelier branch Library, Tuesday, March 14, 4 –5 p.m. ready to share your love of words? Whether our stories are already published or locked away in a drawer, every writer can benefit from the support and encouragement of other writers. you don’t need a work-inprogress to begin! This monthly workshop is led by Valerie Forde-Galvin, Writer’s digest award winner and published author.

COCHRANE ROCKVILLE BRANCH LIBRARY

Call 804-749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information.

Family storytime at the Cochrane rockville branch Library. Friday, Feb. 24, March 3, 10, 24 and 31, 10:30 to 11 a.m. enjoy a fun time with books, singing, rhymes and more. Family storytime is for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

First Friday Films at the Cochrane rockville branch Library. Friday, March 3, 4 — 6 p.m. round up the neighborhood crew and catch a full-length feature film the first Friday of every month!

Travel in a Post-Covid World at the Cochrane rockville branch Library. Tuesday, March 7, 6:30 — 7:30 p.m. The travel industry is booming but booking that trip has changed in a post Covid world! “How can I get the most for my travel dollar?” and “do I really need that travel insurance?” before you book that flight, come to the rockville branch and get your questions answered by stella Capocelli Carter, president of Tour Plan International Ltd.

submitted by Carolyn Garner, adult public ser vices coordinator.

Sheriff's

From 3

Larceny of bad checks was reported on the 10000 block of Woodglen drive. Identity theft, identity to defraud less than or equal to $200 was reported on the 4300 block of eldercreek Lane.

d WI: 1st of fense was reported on the 10400 block of Washington Highway.

Marijuana: possession/consumption under age of 18 was reported on the 10300 block of Chamberlayne road. Petit larceny in a building was reported on the 7200 block of ann Cabell Lane.

JAN. 28

False report to police or falsely summoning police was reported on the 8000 block of deep Creek drive. a simple assault was reported on the 16400 block of West Crescent Lane.