Inside A8 Be Like Mike Auto Show honors fallen trooper
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Powhatan names field house in honor of Ernie Henderson
Vol. XXXV No.. 13
September 29, 2021
Joint meeting highlights possible issues ahead By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
P
OWHATAN – A joint meeting between Powhatan’s leading local officials last week highlighted they may have some big decisions to make together soon, but it’s going to take good communication to get it done. The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors and School Board had a full agenda when they met on Thursday, Sept. 23, covering a myriad of topics over a robust three hours of discussion. The meeting was a stark contrast from the last time the two boards met on June 22, when 40 passionate public speakers and a crowd of people looking for answers about the issue of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in schools caused a full agenda to be set aside in favor of focusing on a single issue. While CRT was again briefly dis-
cussed in public comment and board discussion at last week’s meeting, the boards still kept to the schedule and covered issues related to potential construction projects, transfers of responsibilities, and budgeting issues, among others. While there was some heavy questioning on a few issues, discussion never stalled or escalated and generally stayed pretty cordial. No official votes were taken by either board on any of the issues discussed at the meeting, but comments on some of the items showed many of the members were ready to make some decisions and move forward. Pocahontas Landmark Center Despite being a relatively active topic for the two boards since 2014, last week’s discussion about the future of the unused portions of the Pocahontas
Landmark Center seemed to fluctuate between being disjointed and unfocused and having the potential for real breakthrough. At least one advance in the progress of this discussion seemed pretty generally supported by board members when the school board introduced the possibility of using part of the B wing of the former school as a new preschool center. Powhatan County Public Schools currently has nine preschool classes spread between its three elementary schools, said Dr. Eric Jones, superintendent. The school board is now beginning to consider the possibility of renovating that section to make rooms for a preschool center that would bring all nine of those classes together in one space in addition to having the potential to add more classes if needed in the future. Jones pointed out that the division’s
three elementary schools are nearing capacity. By removing the preschool classes from each school and putting them in the landmark center, it offers the double advantage of having the program housed together in one place and freeing up capacity at the elementary schools to stave off the need to build a new school. This is a relatively new topic for the school board, so they didn’t have any figures yet to back up the plan. Jones said those figures would be presented to the school board at an upcoming meeting, likely in October, but added that, if the preschool center plan moves forward, they had already earmarked $265,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to be used for it. He also pointed out that this section has a newer roof and is tied into the 1993 HVAC system currently being used by the school administration offices. see BOARDS, pg. 4
Relay for Life gets back on (the) track
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NEW NORM
Norm, left, (played by Chad Inch) gives his veteran friend Sam (Rick Branch) rides to a food pantry in ‘The New Norm.’ Filmmakers chose the Powhatan Food Pantry to use as a location for the film.
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
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Participants in the 2021 Relay for Life South of the James event walk around the track on Sept. 18 at Westchester Commons. See more photos on Page 6A.
By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – Round and round the track they went, every step carrying a message of hope and determination. Dozens of people from Powhatan and Chesterfield counties as well as elsewhere gathered on Sept. 18 to once again join together in the fight against cancer. The second combined Relay for Life South of the James event at Westchester Commons saw much of the fun and laughter that was missing at the abbreviated 2020 event return. Although there were miti-
gations in place, such as requests to wear masks and social distance, the event still accomplished what it was meant for – to raise awareness and to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. The day after the event, Pat Johnson, chairperson, said she reflected on the previous day’s event with “such joy in my heart. It takes a mountain to pull off an event and with the work everyone collectively put in it was a huge success!” As of Sept. 26, Relay for Life South of the James’ fundraising website reported that the event had raised $72,720. see RELAY, pg. 4
‘New Norm’ films on location at Powhatan church, food pantry By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – An independent film about a divorced dad and veteran trying to get his life on track recently filmed several scenes on location in Powhatan County. “The New Norm” has been filming the bulk of the summer and is expected to shoot its last scenes by midOctober, said Laurie Vines, director, producer and cowriter of the independent film. Among the locations
in the area chosen for the film were two Powhatan spots – Gospel Light Baptist Church and the Powhatan Food Pantry. Filming took place over two days in September at these two locations, with some Powhatan residents featured in the film in small parts or as extras. The film, which Vines co-wrote with Tracy Hundley, follows the story of Norm (played by Chad Inch), who holds too tightly to his teenage son Gary see NORM, pg. 5
Knights of Columbus open annual Pumpkin Patch
PHOTOS BY LAURA MCFARLAND
Dozens of volunteers showed up on Sept. 24 to help the Knights of Columbus set up its annual Pumpkin Patch. The Pumpkin Patch will remain open through Oct. 31 on the front lawn of Country Living Homes, 2504 Anderson Highway. The patch is open from noon to dusk Sundays to Fridays and from 9 a.m. to dusk on Saturdays. It will close at 3 p.m. on Halloween (Oct. 31). All proceeds benefit charitable causes. Bring your camera to take family photos! Stand next to the ‘‘Great Pumpkin’’ and see how you measure up.