Inside A3 PHS JROTC remembers 9/11 with ceremony
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Powhatan defeats Huguenot 28-6
Vol. XXXV No.. 11
September 15, 2021
Powhatan honors 20th anniversary of 9/11
By Laura McFarland Editor
P
OWHATAN – The Powhatan community came out strong this weekend with hundreds of people participating in the annual First Responders Run to remember the 20th anniversary of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The event came full circle in its third year, returning to the Powhatan High School track. Founder Russ Holland Jr. once again set out at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 11 to run and walk 343 laps over about 19 hours on Sept. 11 in honor of the 343 firefighters who died
that day. In 2020, the focus was a 72-mile run around the Village area to honor the 72 law enforcement officers who died that day. The day after Saturday’s run, an exhausted Holland said he considered the event an amazing success and he hopes it continues well into the future. The event is important because it focuses not only on remembering the first responders who lost their lives 20 years ago but honors those who continue to serve the Powhatan community in that capacity today, he said. Various fundraisers were held throughout the day with
all of the proceeds to be split evenly between the five volunteer fire companies and the rescue squad. “I just don’t think people stop to appreciate them. We have gotten to a point where we consider them a service and separate the humanness from it. We think we pick up the phone and dial 911 and they are supposed to show up because our tax dollars pay for it,” he said. “These are a dedicated group of people who have committed themselves to serving us, and we take it for granted quite a bit. I think they really appreciated us slowing down and focusing on them for
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Firefighter Chris Corcoran, from left, firefighter Daniel DeHart, firefighter/paramedic Christine Keenan, firefighter Mike Cook, and assistant district chief Tim Lawson participate in the First Responders Run held on Sept. 11. See more photos on Page 6A.
a day.” In looking around at
the first responders who participated in the run –
many in various levels of see ANNIVERSARY, pg. 4
Community Matters reaches seniors School board PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Powhatan, VA 23139
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Evelyn Richardson and Sheila Hill work on making bowls as part of an art project during a recent Community Matters session. The social group for Powhatan seniors meets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday at the Powhatan Rescue Squad Building.
By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN – When Richard Hillard’s wife Frances initially sug-
appoints Taylor to District 4 seat By Laura McFarland Editor
gested they attend a session of Community Matters, a weekly senior gathering in Powhatan, he said he resisted.
POWHATAN – The Powhatan County School Board voted unanimously today to appoint the Rev. Dr. James Taylor III as the interim representative for District 4. During a special meeting the board held on Friday, Sept. 10, the four members chose Taylor out of four candidates who TAYLOR put their names forward for the interim position. With this appointment, Taylor was expected to serve in the seat beginning Tuesday, Sept. 14. Taylor will serve as interim until a special election to fill the vacant District 4 seat is held on Feb. 15, 2022. The winner of the special election will fill the
see SENIORS, pg. 5
see TAYLOR, pg. 3
Relay for Life to Survivors: Local women show be held Sept. 18
they are more than a cancer diagnosis
By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN – Powhatan and Chesterfield counties will join together again in the fight against cancer when the Relay for Life South of the James holds its big event this Saturday. Now in its second year as a combined Relay for Life event, people are invited to join the two communities from 4 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 18 at Westchester Commons. The event is open to the public. While Relay for Life will adhere to recommended health guidelines, after a much smaller event in 2020, organizers this year have been thrilled to add back many of the activities that make the event special, said Pat Johnson, chairperson. There will be performances, themed laps, prizes, team tents, and more. As always, organizers want to keep the main focus on celebrating cancer survivors, increasing awareness, and raising funds for the American Cancer Society, she said. “American Cancer Society does so much for cancer patients and their families and I feel so good being a part of that effort to raise money to help people, whether it is providing someone with housing if they have to stay away from their home base, whether it is providing someone with rides to the hospital to get their cancer treatment, see RELAY, pg. 4
By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN – With cancer, a person is considered to be a survivor from the time of the diagnosis until the end of his or her life. Many people may think that the word survivor is a badge someone can claim only when they have gotten the all clear and are deemed to be officially cancer free. But in the words of Jenny Johnson, the Powhatan woman featured in this week’s Powhatan Today Survivor series on Page 8A, she is a survivor every day as she continues her nine month bat-
tle against cancer. “I feel like being a survivor is day to day when you are dealing with a cancer, especially if you are doing chemotherapy treatments and multiple surgeries,” she said. “Survivor is just sometimes getting through the day or getting through the hour because there are so many things that are obstacles in your path – not only the physical obstacles but the mental obstacles as well. That really defines survivor because every day there is something new to overcome.” Johnson was chosen on purpose for the final installment of the sesee SURVIVORS, pg. 8