Inside A10 Summer reading hosts Build-a-thon
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Fall sports usher in VHSL changes
Vol. XXX No. 31
August 9, 2017
Voorhees settles into county By Laura McFarland News Editor
Editor’s note: Since starting as Powhatan County’s new county administrator on May 1, Ted Voorhees has spent the bulk of the summer of 2017 immersing himself in how the county runs and evaluating what he can do to help that process. With three months now under his belt on the job, Voorhees sat down for an interview with news editor Laura McFarland on Thursday, Aug. 3 and shared some of what he has learned so far about how Powhatan works and offered some PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND ideas he wants to bring to the table to County administrator Ted help keep the local government oper- Voorhees has spent the last ating efficiently in the future. several months getting to
staff, and then engaging with the public to know that you are accessible to give them at least a little bit of a glimpse of what your personality is, like how approachable you are. That was what I tried to do during the first month. I attended a number of civic organizations. I met with staff and had one-on-one conversations with each member of the board of supervisors. For the last 90 days, it has really been about building on all of that information, testing assumptions and participating in the daily rhythm of the organization to understand how it works and where there are opportunities to work collaboratively on improvements.
know Powhatan County.
On his first weeks on the job …
learn and to listen, to pay attention to the tone and tenor and direction I think that any successful govern- of the elected leaders, to make ment executive will tell you that a very sure you spend time being availimportant part of the transition is to able to the key leaders in your
Longtime Christmas Mother volunteer retires By Laura McFarland News Editor
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Powhatan, VA Permit No.19
POWHATAN – The woman who has long safeguarded the coffers of the Powhatan Christ-
On fulfilling the purpose for which he was hired … What I think are the most imporsee VOORHEES, pg. 2
PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND
After 20 years, local business owner Susan Ash is closing The Complete Picture in Powhatan.
Complete Picture closing after 20 years in business By Laura McFarland News Editor
PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND
Members of the Powhatan Christmas Everyday Committee honor Deanna Coffey, who has served as treasurer for the program for 25 years and is retiring this year.
mas Mother program is stepping down after 25 years of volunteer service. Deanna Coffey, who was also the 1971 Christmas Mother, has served as treasurer for the local
program since 1992. She is stepping down for health reasons but said she still appreciates the program and might become involved in another capacity in the future. see RETIRE, pg. 4
POWHATAN – Everything about closing The Complete Picture except the sheer volume of work left to do in the next two months before the local business finally shuts its doors is exactly the way owner Susan Ash wants to say farewell to this two decade chapter of her life. Ash started her Powhatan-based business in March 1997 and marked 20 years of providing custom framing back in March 2017. Her store, which is located in the Village area, is still doing well and she even has 75 commissioned pieces she has committed to finish before she closes for good
around Sept. 30. But with other artistic interests to pursue, she said it is time to take a big step back so she can focus on the creative outlets she loves. “It’s time for a change and I want to concentrate on my art. I also play harp, and I want to concentrate on that, too. There are just a lot of creative things to do and the clock is ticking,” said Ash of Powhatan. Ash said she will be putting more focus on her commissioned pen, ink and watercolor house portraits, which can be seen in homes around the county and have also been used by local churches and nonprofits through the years. She also will see CLOSING, pg. 3
Church grows school supplies giveaway By Laura McFarland POWHATAN – A Powhatan-based church is upping its game with its aim to help local families reduce their out-ofpocket expenses in the push to get ready for school to start. Family Worship Center is making the final arrangements for its sixth straight year of holding a Back-to-School Giveaway and hopes to help and entertain more people than ever, said Susan McCord, who is organizing the event. The community event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19 in front of Country Living Homes, 2504 Anderson Highway. It is free and open to the public. The church intends to give away 200 backpacks filled with school supplies on a first come, first-served basis, which is up from 150 given away in 2016, she said. The number has steadily increased each year as the need was evident. “We are increasing because we do see a need. We usually run out before
FILE PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND
Volunteers with Family Worship Center pick age appropriate backpacks to give away to children at the 2016 Back-to-School Giveaway.
people run out. We are hoping we will have enough and maybe a few extras,” she said. There will be backpacks for children
in elementary, middle and high school. Children must be present with an adult to receive a backpack. see SUPPLIES, pg. 5
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