08/10/2016

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Inside A5 Citizens honored for saving woman

Powhatan, Virginia B1 Powhatan cross country gearing up for 2016

Vol. XXIX No. 32

August 10, 2016

Christmas Mother prepares to step back By Laura McFarland News Editor

POWHATAN – Christmas Mother Gayle Walters remembers being in tears much of the first day clients came to pick up gifts during the 2015 Christmas season. Like other members of the Christmas Mother Everyday Committee and the clients themselves, Walters said she was overcome by the power of the moment and how wonderful it felt to be part of it. “They were so grateful for what we were doing for them. We felt so blessed we could do it for them. That day was the first day I was involved in that and it was an incredible moment,” said Walters of Powhatan. In the almost one year since she became the 2015 Christmas Mother, Walters said has had many such moments. The Christmas Mother program does too much good not to have an abundance of fond memories, she said. Walters will officially relinquish her Santa hat when the 2016 Christmas Mother smiles and waves her way through the annual Labor Day parade, a Christmas Mother’s first official duty and introduction to the community. But the outgoing leader sees what is to come as a step to the side rather

than a step down. Like decades of Christmas Mothers before her, Walters will still participate via the Christmas Mother Everyday Committee, there to help her successor and carry on a mission that is bigger than any one person. “I am looking forward to being on the committee again and being back as

a worker bee as opposed to being the head of the program. I love the work that they do. I love the Christmas Mother program,” Walters said. Fran Carleton, 2014 Christmas Mother, said Walters brought a great deal of kindness and organization to see CHRISTMAS page 6A PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Russell Wilson, director of facilities, talks about steps taken to brace the junior high gym walls during demolition of the building.

Demo of PJHS progresses By Laura McFarland News Editor

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Gayle Walters, Christmas Mother 2015, said she is proud of what the Christmas Mother Everyday Committee accomplished in the past year and will cherish her memories serving the people of Powhatan as the group’s leader during that time.

POWHATAN – Powhatan Junior High School isn’t ending its 45-year history with a bang, but with a steady dismantling that is well under way. When S. B. Cox Inc., the Richmond-based company hired to demolish the school, began its work on Monday, July 18, it spent the first few weeks see PJHS page 10A

Hard choices needed to make water system self-sustaining By Laura McFarland News Editor

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POWHATAN – The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors was told last week that members will probably have some hard choices ahead with the county’s water and wastewater system if they want it to one day become self-sustaining. During a workshop on Monday, Aug. 1, the board listened to a presentation on the county’s water and wastewater system that explored the current use and funding of the county-subsidized service, potential ways it will be developed in the coming years and possibilities on how to pay for it. The presentation was handled primarily by Sheryl Stephens, senior community resource specialist for

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Ramona Carter, director of public works, speaks to the board of supervisors about challenges the county faces with its water and wastewater system.

Draper Aden Associates, an engineering consultant for the county, and Ramona Carter, director of public works. Stephens made it clear that a great deal of work has to be done for the system to ever become selfsustaining. The board of supervisors hopes to one day overcome the fact that revenues don’t even cover operating costs, much less the debt service on the system. This means the system has to be heavily subsidized by the county’s general fund to the tune of about seven cents on Powhatan’s real estate tax rate, she said. “Real simply, you look at your revenue and is it is a few hundred thousand dollars a year, and your debt see CHOICES page 5A

Labor Day Parade seeks entries By Laura McFarland News Editor

POWHATAN – The Powhatan Lions Club is gearing up for its fifth annual Powhatan Labor Day Parade and looking for businesses, groups and individuals who want to get involved. The parade starts at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 5, with participants starting to line up at 9:30 a.m. at Fighting Creek Park. Booths will also once again be set up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Courthouse Green with a mix of commercial and nonprofit vendors. This year’s parade will feature everything from fancy floats to crowd favorites such as the Harley Davidson Club and Southside Shriner’s Mini vehicle assortment, which always brings the merriment. Parade chairman Allen Minter said entries have been slow coming in for both the parade and the vendor fair, but he is expecting that to start picking up soon. In a rural community like Powhatan County, the Labor Day parade is a big deal and a great way for businesses, political candidates and groups to get their name out, he said. “It gives them an opportunity to show off their antique cars, advertise their companies and demonstrate what they can do and how they want to benefit the county,” he said. One feature of the parade will once again be the introduction of the new Powhatan Christmas Mother in her first official duty in her new role.

The parade is entertaining for children who are in it as well as those on the side of the road, Minter said. “It is a way for us to make the kids happy. It’s the last cool thing they do before going back to school,” he said. Minter expects to have the Village Green packed with local businesses, artisans, craftsmen, food and franchise vendors. The entry fee for the parade is $20, while the cost for a booth on the Courthouse Green is $20 for nonprofits and $25 for forprofit groups. Registration is due by Monday, Aug. 29. Virginia Blood Services will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and people are asked to donate if they can. Summer months always see a shortage of blood because schools are closed and families go on vacation, limiting the number of blood drives and decreasing donations. People are also asked to bring their used, unwanted, old or new glasses and hearing aids of any kind, and place them in the donation boxes or hand them to anyone wearing a Lions’ shirt or cap. Additional entry forms can be obtained at New Horizon Bank, 2501 Anderson Highway. Powhatan Lions Foundation is a 501C3 charitable organization and all donations are tax deductible. For more information, contact 804357-0853 or 804-598-7952. Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@powhatantoady.com.

FILE PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Two benefits will be held this week to benefit Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center, whose main purpose is to offer free therapeutic horseback rides to veterans.

Dunking, music, games to benefit veterans Aug. 13 By Laura McFarland News Editor

POWHATAN – Few places give people the opportunity to dunk some of Powhatan County’s top elected officials, listen to a party band that is sure to have people moving to the beat, and test your skill shooting basketballs from the back of a saddle. So when Lonesome Dove see VETERANS page 3A

2015 FILE PHOT BY LAURA MCFARLAND


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