Inside A6 Cumberland Schools hold 9/11 remembrance
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Powhatan football overtakes Monacan 39-28
Vol. XXXV No.. 14
October 6, 2021
Thousands pour into Village for wine festival By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – The Powhatan Festival of the Grape was back stronger than ever in 2021 as thousands of people poured into the Village area on Saturday. Now in its 18th year, the mostly annual event had a beautiful sunny day to welcome it back after a year off because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While resting the day after the event, Angie Cabell, executive director of the Powhatan Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber was again proud and appreciative of the extraordinary community support and enthusiasm for the wine festival. Organizers did not have final numbers at press time. But while attendance isn’t expected to have passed 10,000, Cabell said this year’s turnout will likely set a record for the event. “Yesterday they showed up like never before and each of our vendors, civic
groups, and members is grateful for their support after a difficult year. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Village on the first Saturday in October 2022,” she said on Sunday. As always, the festival was a mix of familiar faces and newcomers, both in guests and vendors. Many of them shared how much they enjoyed this year’s festival and its vibe. John Fitzhugh, co-owner of Lazy Days Winery in Amherst, said the winery has been participating in the Festival of the Grape for about a decade and that this weekend’s event was one of its first in almost two years and the first where they offered sampling. While the winery has a tasting room, festivals make up 60% of its income, so he is thrilled they are starting again and happy to be back in Powhatan with the loyal customers PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND they have here. Krystle Voss pours a sample of a Lake Anna Winery wine for Grace Goodrich “Powhatan treats the vendors right. see FESTIVAL, pg. 8
of Powhatan, from left, and friends Lynzee Ballou and Elissa Moore.
PCPS honors teachers of the year, retirees Residents lobby for
consideration of a county senior center
By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – Trying to gather two years’ worth of Teachers of the Year and retirees for Powhatan County Public Schools together seemed like an uphill battle at times. Worrying about safety concerns and not conflicting with other events took some trial and error. But administrators persevered and were able to honor a good portion of the two groups in a special recognition dinner held on Sept. 29 at Independence Golf Club. Meredith Parker, director of human resources, said
Managing Editor
PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND
Powhatan County Public Schools recognized two years worth of Teachers of the Year at a special recognition dinner on Sept. 29. Those able to attend were Cara Alexander, from left, Lauren Ayers, Nancy Taylor, Traciann Paden, Amanda Wilson, Jessica Miller, and Mary Ayers.
POWHATAN – The services provided to senior citizens – or the lack thereof – was a hot topic among the public that came to speak last week to the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors. During the board’s meeting on Monday, Sept. 27, numerous local residents and agency representatives spoke to the members about the need to pay closer attention to
the services that are being provided to local seniors. In particular, the request for the board to consider the need for a senior center was brought up by several people. The issue of seniors was only on the agenda in the form of a presentation from Senior Connections by interim executive director Angie Phelon, but many more people spoke during the two public comment periods on various related subjects. She see SENIOR, pg. 9
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Powhatan, VA Permit No.19
see PCPS, pg. 5
By Laura McFarland
DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Powhatan, VA 23139
Robin Brown of Powhatan, left, talks to Greg Paul, owner of Chicory Hill Farm, while helper Grace Duke listens at the Powhatan Farmers Market.
Moslow presented with new volunteer award named in her honor
Farmers market wraps up its second season By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – The Powhatan Village Farmers Market wrapped up its 2021 season last week on a beautiful early fall day. Lisa Dearden, executive director of RVA Agriculture, the nonprofit running the market, said its second season on the grounds of Bienvenue in the Village area ran much smoother than 2020, when thinks could get a bit rocky at times starting a new market during a pandemic. Every Thursday since May 2021, the market has brought a mix of baked goods, produce, homemade crafts, meat, artwork, and more. The market has also had a food truck every week where people can grab a meal and, thanks to sponsorship from Village Bank, listen to musicians
perform every week. “This year is way better. We have great vendors. Everybody says what a nice vibe this market has. It’s shady, it’s on the grass, people walk here. It’s very community supported,” Dearden said. The regular markets and the pop-up events all act as an incubator for small businesses not selling at stores or at a farm stand, Dearden said. “We have a lot of new farmers, which I have not seen in my 16 years of managing markets. This past year, I don’t know if the pandemic made people reevaluate what they were doing and shift gears a little bit, but there are some young families and they are new to farming. I just think that is really cool,” she said. Even as the four regular farmers markets that RVA Agriculture see MARKET, pg. 10
PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND
Powhatan Free Clinic Executive Director Connie Moslow, left, accepts the first Connie Moslow Volunteer of the Year Award from Betsy Blandford, the clinic’s volunteer coordinator.
By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – Volunteerism is the cornerstone of the Free Clinic of Powhatan. In a time where health care costs are putting incredible burdens on families, part of the reason the Free Clinic can do all it does to help people in need in the county is because of volunteers, Executive Director Connie
Moslow said last week. Of the 70 people who keep the clinic running, 63 are volunteers and only seven are paid. “Once we get someone in the clinic to volunteer, they like to volunteer because they see the patient. They actually see what they are doing and that makes a difference,” Moslow said. “A lot of times you do something see MOSLOW, pg. 4