Powhatan Today –08/24/2022 by Powhatan Today

By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

BROADBAND, pg. 3

POWHATAN – Powhatan County Public Schools employees got an uplifting and high-energy start to the 2022-2023 school year last week with a convocation/pep rally that included being introduced to their new superintendent and learning a private donation would once again fund $1,000 grants to every teacher, librarian and counselor. The convocation, which took place Tuesday, Aug. 16, saw all employees congregate in the gym of Powhatan High School for an hour 5

August 24, 2022Vol. XXXVI No. 08o. 08 Powhatan, Virginia TO:DELIVER PatronPostal Powhatan, 23139VA StandardPrsrt. PAIDPOSTAGEU.S. VAPowhatan, No.19Permit A3 InsideCampersgrowmoreAwareofnatureB1Indiansvolleyballreadyfornewseason PCPS staff gears up for new year Firefly making slow but steady progress on broadband Curtis todonatesfamily$341,000schooldivision see COALITION, pg. 6

POWHATAN – Now facing nine sex-related charges, Powhatan High School’s band director and performing arts coordinator will remain in custody after a new bond appeal was denied last week.After three separate waves of charges were brought against him, Andrew C. Snead, 36, is now facing eight charges of taking indecent liberties with a minor by a person in a custodial or supervisory relationship and one charge of soliciting child pornography, all felonies.RobCerullo, interim Commonwealth’s attorney, said that since Snead’s arrest, the “floodgates have opened” as more current or former students have come forward with allegations of abuse by Snead in cases spanning from as far back as more than a decade ago to as recent as days before he was arrested on June 30. The current charges involve five individuals. Snead had already been granted bond on seven of the charges, but Chief Judge of the Powhatan County Circuit Court Paul W. Cella decided to hold him without bond pending trial. That decision was made after Cella during a bond appeal on Aug. 17 heard arguments on the remaining two charges in question. Cella had previously granted a $20,000 secured bond on the first two charges brought against Snead of taking indecent liberties with a minor by a person in custodial or supervisory relationship. Those two charges came up as an appeal from the Juvenile and Domestic Rela-

PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND

There are three different pieces to the project in Powhatan. A. ReConnect Grant: The ofﬁcial “release of funds” letter from the Rural Utility Service (RUS) for the ReConnect grant was issued on July 27. It was actually not forwarded to us until last week. That gives see

METRO CREATIVE

uptick in recent

Cupka and Theresa Fields, manager of the Powhatan Food Pantry, sat down with the Powhatan Today last week to discuss the growing needs both entities are facing. The Coalition runs the food pantry, but they have two separate bank accounts, Cupka pointed out. And while the food pantry is also seeing a decided increase in demand over even a few months ago, it is in a healthier position for the moment than the Coalition, which has run through its grant funds for the quarter and is helping people only based on donated funds right“Peoplenow. tend to donate to the food pantry. They don’t think about the Coalition unless they really know about it,” Cupka said. “The food pantry needs donations, but they have a healthier bank account right now that the Coalition. And we cannot move those funds from the food pantry. … (Our bank account) is getting drained faster than it is getting reﬁlled – much, much, much faster. At the same time this community is great. The community is very generous. I just see CHARGES,

Between increased demand on the Coalition’s services and an uptick in numbers at the Powhatan Food Pantry, the difference in need has been marked, said Robin Cupka, treasurer of the Coalition, a local nonproﬁt that has been helping people who need some extra help in areas of their life since 1996. Those needs could include help with rent payments, utility bills, medical bills, car repairs, child care and more.

By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

see CONVOCATION, pg.

ANDREW C. SNEAD

pg. 4

Band director now faces 9 spanningcharges12years Coalition sees aid requests

POWHATAN – The Coalition of Powhatan Churches is reporting a signiﬁcant rise in the need for its emergency services in recent months as some Powhatan residents face challenges they are unable to manage on their own.

By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

With literal support from her co-workers, kindergarten teacher Mckenzie Cable helps the Powhatan High School cheerleaders get the Powhatan Elementary section excited at the school division’s 2022 convocation on Aug. 16 at the high school. of cheering, dancing, corny jokes and wacky games, all surrounding the important task of declaring an official start to the school year for all staffFormembers.many,the event was an introduction to Beth Teigen as the school division’s new superintendent. Teigen entered the gym to great fanfare and briefly introduced herself through a series of belief statements to let staff know where she stands. In a series of “I believe” statements, Teigen affirmed: students should be the center of every decision PCPS makes; students and staff need to feel safe at school; as superintendent, she needs to inspire others to be their best self; every student should have opportunities for the acquisition of rigorous academic content; teachers should foster communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity within their classrooms; success comes from learning that is student-owned, student-centered, authentic and community-connected; there should be accountability with support for each student, teacher and leader to be successful; there should be consistent practice of data-driven program evaluation to determine the most effective practices for PCPS students; and every high school graduate should be college and career ready.Teigen also talked about celebrating kindness and success. One success already worth celebrating is preliminary data from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) showing that all five Powhatan County Public Schools are anticipated to PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND Powhatan resident Karla Curtis announces that she and her husband, Bob, will once again donate $1,000 to every teacher, librarian and counselor to use for their classrooms and students this school year.

By Laura McFarland Managing Editor POWHATAN – For the thousands of residents living in Powhatan County without reliable access to high speed internet, the announcement in 2021 of a partnership between the county and Fireﬂy Fiber Broadband and the promise of multiple avenues being pursued to make this dream a reality was good news – if still a little too far away. It was a long road to even get to that point with still more hoops to jump through to get the funding in place, but the process continues to grind forward, even if not always in the most visible ways. Last week, the Powhatan Today caught up with Melissa Gay, who is the communications and member services manager for Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC) and currently serves as communications manager for Fireﬂy Fiber Broadband, to get a progress update on the project. Powhatan is one of several localities within Firefly’s Regional Internet Service Expansion (RISE) project area that are likely all at various stages. Can you say where Powhatan is right now in terms of meeting the goal of universal broadband access through the RISE project? What is the current timeline?

Farmers Market at Tavern 19 is open from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday through October on the grounds of Independence Golf Course, 600 Founders Bridge Blvd, Midlothian, VA 23113. The new Farmers Market at Tavern 19 is a grower’s market, featuring farm fresh seasonal produce, grass fed meats, fruits and berries, honey, baked goods, value added products and select artisan crafts. Independence Golf Course is the ideal setting for a farmers market – it’s a park-like setting with plenty of parking and grass covered by large shade trees. The market has free Wi-Fi, a stage, electricity, food provided by Tavern 19, picnic tables, live music, kid’s activities and more! Come grab some dinner and stock up for the week on fresh local products! For more information, visit https://rvagriculture.org/.

Powhatan AA meets at 8 p.m. every Saturday at Manakin Episcopal Church on Huguenot Trail.

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at Powhatan County Public Library, 2270 Mann Road. Call 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “Powhatan” to schedule an appointment. Download the Blood Donor App for easier access. Community Matters is a resource for all 55 and forward interested in learning, staying active and engaging with peers. Challenge and socialization are powerful combined and crucial at any age! Program is free; requires independent participation. Weekly sessions with a wide range of topics and activities are held on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Rescue Squad Building, 3920 Marion Harland Lane. At the Aug. 31 event, the 10 a.m. session will be about embroidery with limited stitches and each participant will do a sample project. The noon session will be an Art Class with candle making. Information on various offerings, activities and topics presented can be found on Facebook: Powhatan County Reach for Active Services and also by calling the Powhatan Library 804-5985670 and selecting option 3 to hear an updated recording. Call program coordinator Jayne Lloyd at 804-698-0438 for more information.

Just Kids, an affordable clothing shop selling gently used children’s clothes, sizes newborn to 8 plus, had its official opening June 7. Moving forward, the store will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The shop is located in the Memorial Baptist Church Youth House, 3926 Old Buckingham Road. Just Kids is a ministry of May Memorial Baptist Church. Clothes cost $2 per bag.

The Be Like Mike Auto Show presented by Seay’s Autobody and Towing will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 2693 Rocky Oak Road, Powhatan. The event is held annually in memory of Virginia State Police Special Agent Mike Walter, who died in the line of duty on May 27, 2017. This year’s event is also being held in honor of Kieran Hathaway. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Ask Childhood Cancer Foundation (www.askccf.org). The nonprofit helps fund the Pediatric Oncology program at Children’s Hospital of Richmond. Kieran was treated at this clinic. The event will have a $20 entry fee for vehicles but spectators get in for free. For more information or to donate, contact Wes at 804-8331644 or Zac at 518-683-3955.

Have you ever wondered what tree you were walking by in Powhatan State Park? This walk may be just what you're looking for. Led by a local master naturalist volunteer, the walk is an introduction to the basics of native tree identification. The walk will take approximately 1.5 hours on an easily travelled trail that passes many of the native trees found in central Virginia. Be sure to wear closed toe shoes and bring plenty of water. All ages are welcome. The walk begins promptly at 10 a.m. every Tuesday at the Playground Shelter through the end of August. Call the Park Office at 804-598-7148 for more Awakeninformation.toHope Al-Anon meets at 8 p.m. every Tuesday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. The new Bridge of Reason AA meeting is held at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Powhatan Mennonite Church, 3549 Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan. It is an open, decision and literature meeting for Powhatan, Goochland, and Cumberland counties. AA meets at 8 p.m. every Tuesday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Huguenot Trail. Upcoming

Powhatan Food Pantry is currently seeking volunteer drivers who can pick up food from the local Food Lions on different days between 8:30 and 10 a.m. and transport them to the nonprofit at 2500 Batterson Road. Contact the pantry at 804372-9526 or powhatanvafoodpantry@gmail.com.

Powhatan Parks and Recreation is pleased to offer the following at the Pocahontas Landmark Center Gym (4290 Anderson Highway, Powhatan). Keep in mind when county offices are closed for holidays, inclement weather, etc., activities will not be held unless specifically noted: Open Walking Club, Wednesdays, 9-11 a.m.; Open Gym Pickleball, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-11:30 a.m.; Open Adult Special Needs Basketball, every Monday, 10 a.m.-noon; Paid Momentum Volleyball, Tuesdays and Thursdays through June as well as paid Volleyball Clinics this summer (contact Cindy Bryant by email at momentumvolleyballclub@gmail.com); Paid Pulse Basketball, Mondays and Wednesdays through March 2022. Contact Brian Griffen by email at vicepresident@powhatanpulse.com; Senior Basketball coming in April on Monday nights, so stay tuned for more information as the date get closer; Adult Open Gym Basketball will start back up on Wednesday nights beginning March 16; Open Volleyball will start back in the summer, and we are also hoping for a Pickleball night session once gym space opens up. Continue to follow all COVID-19 guidelines. Everyone will also need to sign a facility use waiver that we will keep on file for one year, and there is a $10 non-resident fee for activities. Remember we ask everyone to wear rubber soled shoes (no heels) on the gym floor and only allow water in the gym. We are still working on other activities as well. Contact the Recreation Office at 804-598-5275 with any questions or send an email to mshelton@ powhatanva.gov or mwoodel@powhatanva.gov.

Visit the Knights of Columbus’ 14th annual Pumpkin Patch at Country Living Homes site, 2504 Anderson Hwy. in Flatrock. The patch is open from Sept. 22 to Oct. 31, with hours on Sunday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additional activities planned for some Saturdays! Bring your camera to take family photos! Stand next to our ‘‘Great Pumpkin’’ and see how you measure up. All proceeds benefit charitable causes. In past years, proceeds have benefited Habitat for Humanity, Free Clinic of Powhatan, Scouting, Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center, and others. Closing at 3 p.m. on Halloween. There will be an Alzheimer's Association Community Forum from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 27. If you or a loved one has been affected by dementia or Alzheimer's, you'll want to attend. The goal of this forum with community leaders and partners is to hear experiences from those in Powhatan and discover gaps in service or programming that Alzheimer's Association may be able help to improve Powhatan with. The event will be held at the Rescue Squad Building. Contact program coordinator Jayne Lloyd at 804-698-0438 or RAServices.PVA@gmail.com for more information. Ongoing Backpacks of Love, a nonprofit committed to eliminating hunger in school-age children by providing nourishing food for their weekend, needs help. BPOL is looking for delivery drivers that would be available to deliver on Thursdays. They are in immediate need of a driver to deliver to Cumberland County and or Amelia County. These are great jobs for students looking for community hours. Always accepting food donations of single serve raviolis, spaghettios, apple sauce, cereal, cookies, crackers and more. Contact Kevin Hardy at 804-350-1127 for more Younginformation.people in the 4-H community learn leadership, citizenship, and a vast array of life skills that benefit them for the rest of their lives. Through school-based, after-school, and community clubs as well as camp settings, 4-H members pledge to build a better community, country, and world. The new 4-H year starts Oct. 1 and runs through Sept. 30, 2022, so this is a great time to join a 4-H club! In Powhatan County, 4-H SPIN and project clubs include the following designed for youth ages 9-18: Livestock, Archery, Equine, Dairy Judging, and Shooting Education (waiting list). For our younger youth, ages 5-8 years old, we’re seeking new club leaders interested in starting a second Cloverbud 4-H Club in Powhatan. 4-H School Enrichment programs are also available for homeschool groups. Reach out to Cathy Howland, Powhatan 4-H Extension Agent, at 804-598-5640 or chowland@vt.edu for details about the 4-H opportunities listed, and/or information on starting new 4-H clubs or programs.

The Powhatan County Democratic Committee meets from 7 to 9 p.m. on the 4th Tuesday of each month in the Powhatan County Library. Monday, Aug. 29

Sunday, Aug. 28

A Powhatan Hope Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday at PCC Church, 4480 Anderson Highway, Powhatan, Room 102. It is an open discussion meeting. Wheelchair accessible. Tuesday, Aug. 30

The Powhatan Village Farmers Market is open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. every Thursday through September on the grounds of Bienvenue, 3841 Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan. The market offers families a great way to unwind with live music and food truck fare while catching up with neighbors. The Powhatan market meets all your local farm produce and pastured meat needs, as well as those specialty goods you’re looking for like honey, soap, baked treats, unique artisan crafts and more. Lots of SNAP and Double SNAP options! We’re excited to welcome you to the Powhatan Village farmers market! For more information, contact 302-893-0068 or visit https:// Thervagriculture.org/.PowhatanFood Pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursdays, Saturdays and Tuesdays at 2500 Batterson Road. Contact the pantry at 804372-9526 or powhatanvafoodpantry@gmail.com. Graceland Baptist Church, 975 Dorset Road, holds a community meal called At the Table at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month. Come enjoy a homecooked meal, a brief Jesus story, fellowship, and music. All are welcome. Extension specialists and industry experts share timely topics for farmers in the Virginia Cooperative Extension Ag Today, held virtually at 9 a.m. every Thursday. These updates are relevant and brief and are recorded for folks who can't join on that day and time. Podcasts (audio only) are posted on Westmoreland VCE webpage and YouTube video recordings can be found at https:// www.youtube.com/

Page 2A Powhatan Today, August 24, 2022 see CALENDAR, pg. 4 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Join the Rural Substance Abuse Awareness Coalition from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3 at Passion Community Church, 4480 Anderson Highway, for a family-friendly celebration of the local recovery community. This event is co-hosted with The ROOT Project and serves as a local kick-off to National Recovery Month. RSAAC will have live music, stories of recovery, a REVIVE naloxone training and vendor tables from community partners. Boka Tako RVA will be serving tacos (the first 50 people will receive a $10 voucher for their meal). Bring the

The Powhatan County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Help Desk is here for yet another growing season. Although office hours are reduced because of COVID-19 restrictions, the Help Desk is still ready and available. Email questions and detailed photos of your stricken plants to gpmastergardener@gmail.com and volunteers will try and find a solution for you. You can also directly call the Powhatan County Extension at 804-598-5640 and leave a message. The Help Desk will be in touch. If a real-life diagnosis or determination is needed, large plant samples including root, stem and leaves can be dropped off at the Powhatan County Extension’s office after consulting with Master Gardener volunteer. If you have plants/shrubs/trees needing identification in your yard, or are new to the Powhatan or Goochland area, we also offer free one to two-hour site visits.

kids because there will be arts and crafts activities and a bounce house! The Heart of Virginia Beekeepers plans to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6 at the Prince Edward County Extension Office, 100 Dominion Dr., Farmville, VA 23901 next to Lowe's. Anyone who has bees or is interested in bees is welcome. For more information call Mary Jane Morgan at 434315-1433. To check on possible cancellations or changes, visit Facebook or our website: Communityheartofvirginiabeekeepers.org.Mattersisaresource for all 55 and forward interested in learning, staying active and engaging with peers. Challenge and socialization are powerful combined and crucial at any age! Program is free; requires independent participation. Weekly sessions with a wide range of topics and activities are held on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Rescue Squad Building, 3920 Marion Harland Lane. At the Sept. 7 event, the 10 a.m. session will be by the Department of Wildlife Rehab – “BearWise” teaching how to live safely with bears, fun quiz and hands-on game planned. At noon, Wells Fargo employees will talk about fraud prevention and online banking. Information on various offerings, activities and topics presented can be found on Facebook: Powhatan County Reach for Active Services and also by calling the Powhatan Library 804-598-5670 and selecting option 3 to hear an updated recording. Call program coordinator Jayne Lloyd at 804-698-0438 for more information. At 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8, a caregiver support group will meet specific to dementia and Alzheimer's at May Memorial Baptist Church. Find support and a safe place among others on a similar journey. The annual Sept. 11 remembrance run will be held Sunday, Sept. 11 on the Powhatan High School track. This year, event creator Russ Holland will run 34.3 miles around the track in honor of the 343 firefighters who died that day. Holland’s run begins at noon and the community is invited to join in walking or running for all or some of the laps. A silent auction will last from noon to 5 p.m., a 50/50 raffle will be held, and T-shirts will be sold. . As always, all the proceeds go to the five Powhatan Volunteer Fire Companies and the Volunteer Rescue Squad. First responders are especially invited to participate in the final lap, which is expected to be at about 6 p.m. Sept. 11 is the deadline for registration for the Color Challenge '22! This fun relay will be held Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Fighting Creek Park with refreshments and event t-shirt provided. You must be registered and 55 + . Use this link for more details and to register: https://forms.gle/ VRS1wNzL9YLzQcQB6 This event is Powhatan's first activity held in recognition of International Active Aging Week! You can sign up for the relay with your own team (with team name and member names of those who are also registering with same agility level) or sign up without a team and we'll group you with others to compete with. Reading is Grand will have adults 55+ register to be paired with a child 5 to 10 years old so they can to read to each other, enjoy a craft and refreshments at 10 a.m. Sept. 13. (Yay for intergenerational opportunities!) Registration space is limited. Use this link: https://forms. gle/8W71BniojphtHESG6 Future 'Grandreader' dates will hold another registration. Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center, which is located at 6137 Old Buckingham Road, provides year-round therapeutic horseback riding exclusively for veterans with special needs and disabilities. Focusing on veterans in Central Virginia, the goal of this program is to improve the quality of life for the participants through activities that are positive to their cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being. As of Jan. 1, 2021, the program is also welcoming first responders to come ride with the program. From April through October, volunteers are asked to arrive at 9 a.m. and the riding sessions begin at 10 a.m. Upcoming dates are: Sept. 13, 20 and 28; Oct. 4, 18 and 26. In November, volunteers are asked to arrive at 10 a.m. and the riding sessions begin at 11 a.m. Upcoming dates are Nov. 1, 15 and 30. There are no sessions in December. LDEC is able to provide a variety of services to the veterans because of dedicated volunteers. Those who would like to help and have fun at the same time are asked to consider becoming a member of one of these teams. For more information about Lonesome Dove, visit http://ldequestrian.com/ or contact 804-318-6485.

Thursday, Aug. 25 Community Matters is a resource for all 55 and forward interested in learning, staying active and engaging with peers. Challenge and socialization are powerful combined and crucial at any age! Program is free; requires independent participation. The next session will be on Thursday, Aug. 25. The Charlottesville Tai Chi Center will present Beginners’ Tai Chi. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese discipline of very slowly controlled movements that greatly benefits strength, flexibility and balance. There will be two class times, 10:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. It is free to participants. Information on various offerings, activities and topics presented can be found on Facebook: Powhatan County Reach for Active Services and also by calling the Powhatan Library 804-598-5670 and selecting option 3 to hear an updated recording. Call program coordinator Jayne Lloyd at 804-698-0438 for more information.

Saturday, Aug. 27

The Free Clinic of Powhatan serves residents from Powhatan, Amelia and Cumberland Counties as well as select Chesterfield areas. Services include medical, dental, counseling and women’s healthcare by appointment. Eligibility requirements on website www.freeclinicofpowhatan.org/ patients. Registration for new patients by appointment Mondays 5-8 p.m. or walk-in Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, call (804) The598-5637.Powhatan Lion’s Club will meet at 6 p.m. at the County Seat Restaurant. Contact Mike Jones at 804-794-1440 for more information.

Gospel Light Baptist Church will hold its sixth annual Tent Revival from Sunday, Sept. 18 to Friday, Sept. 23 at the church, 2109 Anderson Highway, Powhatan. Services start at 6:45 p.m. nightly. A free dinner will be served nightly from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Be our honored guest and come experience an old fashioned, spirt-filled time of preaching by Evangelist Adam Borden and Powhatanworship.Cooperative Extension is offering a Drinking/Well Water Testing Clinic. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, residents may come to the Extension Office in Powhatan, otherwise known as the Powhatan Village Building, (3910 Old Buckingham Rd. Powhatan, VA 23139) and receive your well water testing kit along with directions on how to use it. Then, from 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, they may drop off the samples at the same location. However, you can stay in your car and drive through the back parking lot, accessed by Tilman Road. Then at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, there will be an interpretation meeting of your results in the Powhatan Village Building, (same building as Powhatan Extension Office), in the auditorium. Cost is $65 per sample. Registration required at https://tinyurl.com/2022GPwellwatertest or by calling the Powhatan Extension office at 804-5985640.

The Friends of Powhatan County Public Library’s Bookshop is open during library hours and accepting donations again. The bookshop accepts books, movies, audiobooks, CDs, and magazines. Materials can be given to a library staff member or placed in the book shop corner (tuck them by the file cabinet in the back), which is at the end of the passageway once you come in the front door. Proceeds from the book sale are used for additional library programming.

Habitat for Humanity-Powhatan is looking for donations of gently used appliances such as refrigerators, clothes washers and dryers, and stoves; cabinets, and furniture such as dining room and bedroom sets (no mattresses). Call for a pick up at 804-594-7009. The Free Clinic of Powhatan is looking for volunteers to provide front desk assistance on days with and without patients. No special skills needed, just a friendly face and a willingness to

Lonesome Dove Equestrian Center, which is located at 6137 Old Buckingham Road, provides year-round therapeutic horseback riding exclusively for veterans with special needs and disabilities. Focusing on veterans in Central Virginia, the goal of this program is to improve the quality of life for the participants through activities that are positive to their cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being. As of Jan. 1, 2021, the program is also welcoming first responders to come ride with the program. From April through October, volunteers are asked to arrive at 9 a.m. and the riding sessions begin at 10 a.m. Upcoming dates are: Aug. 24; Sept. 13, 20 and 28; Oct. 4, 18 and 26. In November, volunteers are asked to arrive at 10 a.m. and the riding sessions begin at 11 a.m. Upcoming dates are Nov. 1, 15 and 30. There are no sessions in December. LDEC is able to provide a variety of services to the veterans because of dedicated volunteers. Those who would like to help and have fun at the same time are asked to consider becoming a member of one of these teams. For more information about Lonesome Dove, visit http://ldequestrian.com/ or contact 804-318-6485. Community Matters is a resource for all 55 and forward interested in learning, staying active and engaging with peers. Challenge and socialization are powerful combined and crucial at any age! Program is free; requires independent participation. Weekly sessions with a wide range of topics and activities are held on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Rescue Squad Building, 3920 Marion Harland Lane. The 10 a.m. session will be the HumbleBee Project, where participants will create no-sew fleece blankets for the Child Life department (they assist pediatric inpatients with coping and adjustment to medical issues, and making them more comfortable in all facets of their care) at the Children's Hospital of Richmond (VCU). Join us and enjoy community while creating and doing good for others. At noon, Laurie Hart of Love4Syria will teach on Syrian culture, lives of Syrians and her years of work there. Love4Syria supports 60 Syrian women through the craft of knitting. Information on various offerings, activities and topics presented can be found on Facebook: Powhatan County Reach for Active Services and also by calling the Powhatan Library 804-598-5670 and selecting option 3 to hear an updated recording. Call program coordinator Jayne Lloyd at 804-6980438 for more information. Powhatan County Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Meeting rooms are available by reservation; study rooms are available first come, first served. The library offers e-books and materials to borrow in person or by using Books to Go. With Books to Go, patrons may reserve print materials, DVDs, and audiobooks 24/7 online at www. powhatanlibrary or by phone during open hours at 804-598-5670; once the patron is notified that their order is ready, they have three days to pick it up at the to-go shelf. The outdoor library book drop is open 24/7 for returning library items; however, patrons must return mobile hotspots to the circulation desk inside the library. The library accepts donations and the Friends of the Library bookstore is open during library business hours. Visit www.powhatanlibrary.net or call the library at 804-598-5670 for more details, and like the library’s Facebook page for all the latest, up-to-date library news, information and program Businessschedules.Network International (BNI) Powhatan chapter meets virtually from 8 to 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday. Visit Www.BNIVA.com for information. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/ BNIOnFire or contact executive director Dawne Gulla at dawne@bniva.com or 804-690-9220 for more information.

Wednesday, Aug. 24

everyTheeveryTheinpage.CommunityeveryTheatSouthwillMillcom/jfe/form/SV_6fiYBb914AYRdn7.FindVCEjoiningRomelczykDpYsV2HY11CH8KBrluifyO.playlist?list=PL7_2QUVzrPXContactStephanie(sromelcz@vt.edu)forinformationonthemeetinglive.WatchedorlistenedtoAGToday?Letusknowhowwearedoing!oursurveyhere:https://vce.az1.qualtrics.QuarterRepublicanWoman'sClub(MQRWC)meetatItalianDelightrestaurant,1795CreekOne,Powhatan.Fellowshipbegins6:30p.m.andthemeetingstartsat7p.m.organizationmeetsthefourthThursdayofmonthunlessotherwiseadvertisedintheCalendarorMQRWC’sFacebookMQWRCisanactivegroupandinterestedexpanding.Visitorsarealwayswelcome.originalPowhatanAAmeetsfrom7to8p.m.ThursdayinthePowhatanVillageBuilding.PowhatanRotaryClubmeetsat7:30a.m.ThursdayattheCountySeatRestaurant.

Firefly moved forward at our own risk with the data collection in the area and other tasks that do not involve construction to minimize the impact to the grant funds we will receive. We did not wait for the contract to be signed to get started because we know the need for broadband is high. That is only emphasized more with school systems opening for the year. We also have met already with VDOT about a river crossing on the bridge at Maidens; that meeting went well. We have begun stockpiling the materials we will need. Certain items like underground vaults and splicing pedestals are becoming longer lead items, so we are accumulating some ahead of the build to limit our exposure to supply chain issues.Some VATI grant sections are dependent upon Dominion Energy filing for approval for their Middle Mile project in Powhatan. This year, they applied for Appomattox and Louisa and the remaining counties will follow. Dominion Energy is committed to completing all of its work within the same timeline as the Firefly VATI grant and is working to get its fiber deployed as soon as possible. Mailings will be sent from Dominion Energy and Firefly when field work is being done in those areas. The remainder of the VATI grant sections are moving along. As each area is scheduled the residents in the area will be contacted directly via mail and the Firefly website will be updated. Firefly is committed to getting the first folks connected in Powhatan in late winter. The last time Mr. Wood spoke to the board, there had not been any actual work started laying fiber. Has that changed? Are there

The total numbers for all grant areas together are 280 miles of ﬁber and 2,456 passings.

Fireﬂy is one of the fastest growing cooperative internet service providers (ISP) and plans were made early on to be sure we had access to materials and a labor force. As those contracts roll off and we need to renegotiate it is possible we will incur the added costs. What forward?componentsgettinghasdelays/extrachallenges/stepsFireflyfacedinthesedifferentmoving

POWHATAN – From petting snakes to dissecting owl pellets to tracking animals through the woods, the Alliance of Wild Animal Rehabilitators and Educators (Aware) kept it all natural at the recent summer camp held at Powhatan StateHeldPark.earlier this month, the Aware Wildlife Discovery Camp saw 22 youth ages 6 to 10 developing a growing appreciation for the natural world through hands-on activities and programs held over four days. Susan Shepperson, president of Aware, said the camp was meant to teach young people about wildlife conservation.Aware is a nonprofit organization created to provide an alliance of concerned citizens and permitted wildlife rehabilitators dedicated to helping wildlife in need. The group’s mission is to rehabilitate, provide sanctuary and individualized care for Virginia’s native wildlife with the intent to release. It also uses educational programs run by educators and wildlife ambassadors to raise public awareness of conservation issues and encourage peaceful coexistence us official authorization to begin construction work for which we can seek reimbursement. Prior to receiving that letter and the release to work, we have been doing all allowable “soft work,” which includes the field data collection and design, permit applications, material procurement, etc., so we have been busy. The data collection is complete for the first 35 miles of ReConnect route in Powhatan for this project, which includes about 88 miles total. After the data collection and design for Powhatan, plus the route into Powhatan from Cumberland, which will be the source for the light and the connection to the internet, then work will begin. We are probably still a few months from seeing construction for this project, but we are making progress toward it each day and actually moving at a very fast pace for the field work. After construction, we will do the splicing and the service drops and then in-home installations. We are making a nifty chart for each county with this information, but it isn’t ready yet!

Livermons celebrate 55 years of marriage

It seems everywherelikeyou look prices are soaring on goods, material and labor because of inflation. Has this project been hit, or does Firefly anticipate it being hit, by inflation in terms of the costs and needed funds?

Page 3APowhatan Today, August 24, 2022 SHOPWESTCHESTERCOMMONS.COM 1 15 22 29 EASTOF HOLLYWOOD RVAG EN’NOVATION ROBIN’SHOPE THESTEVE BASSETTBAND AUTISMSOCIETYOFVIRGINIA KOSBAND CHESTERFIELDHISTORICAL SOCIETYOFVIRGINIA JOINUSTHURSDAYEVENINGS 5:30-8:30IN SEPTEMBER ONTHECONCERTFIELD CONCERT SERIES 598-0799 “AllWorkPersonallySupervisedbyOwner,RichardStanley” LocallyOwned&Operated ProudlyservingPowhatanandthesurroundingcountiessince1985 FullyLicensed&Insured• ClassAContractor• FreeEstimates ALL-STAR PAVING www.allstarpavingva.com A

Fireﬂy has managed to navigate the supply chain issues causing shortages and labor shortages to date. The contracts we have in place have locked in some of our pricing to shield us against inﬂation in the near term.

PHOTO BY ANJIE KAY Aware educator Zack Mahone displays a red-footed tortoise to youth at the Aware Wildlife Discovery Camp at Powhatan State Park. see AWARE, pg. 8

Continued from pg. 1 BROADBAND see BROADBAND, pg. 4

Robert and Susan Livermon celebrated 55 years of marriage on Aug. 19. They moved to Powhatan in 1975 while Bob’s father, William R. Livermon, known as ‘The Circuit Rider,’ was pastor of Powhatan United Methodist Church. In the photo are their children in the back row, who all attended and graduated from Powhatan High School. Left to right: Jason (Class of 1987) Joshua (Class of 1992) Jordan (Class of 1999) and Jake (Class of 2003). Front row: Susan (Coral Park HS 1966, Miami, Florida) and Robert (Martinsville HS 1961).

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO This summer, Mary and photo.TodayoftookMassachusettsProvincetown,termother/daugh-SmithMaryMargarettookatriptoandalongacopythePowhatantosnapa Powhatan Today in Provincetown

Firefly has faced delays regarding administrative tasks related to the ReConnect grant. As you know, that grant was announced in August 2021 and, as mentioned above in question 1a, we just got the official release of funds. Firefly was ready with crews to start the work immediately in the five counties, but any work done before the official release is not eligible for reimbursement.

B. The Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) project, which will cover the rest of the county, has two components. The first one to touch on is the Dominion Energy (DE) middle mile project, which will extend the service into a few of the small pockets of unserved locations in the eastern end of the county. The DE work will extend the DE network down from Goochland and will probably not get into the Powhatan area until 2024, though no timeline has been set. C. The remainder of the VATI areas will be served from a couple of different directions. The first area we will build is the northwest county, where we have also completed the data collection work and are presently in the design phase. We have permit applications in to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for this area. We will start construction sooner on this build. The route will start near the village of Cartersville where we already have fiber and light, and extend along Cartersville Road and northern Trenholm Road. As we get a firm date for construction, we will send letters out notifying people of the build phase and inviting them to sign up for service. The first connections in homes are expected late this winter. In the past, Firefly president and CEO Gary Wood said the project would involve laying 192 miles of fiber optic cable to serve a potential 2,016 passings. Are those numbers still accurate?

By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

Campers grow more Aware of the natural world around them

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Free Clinic of Powhatan is working in conjunction with local schools to help children and teens cope with the COVID crisis. Their counselor is currently seeing students at Powhatan High School and is accepting referrals for Powhatan Middle School. If your child is struggling with depression, academic or social anxiety, anger management, substance abuse or ADHD, the Free Clinic may be able to help. Income qualifications have been expanded to help more people obtain counseling and mental health services at no charge. School counselors can provide an immediate referral. Call 804-598-5637 for an appointment or more information on qualification guidelines.

Arrests

One male Aug. 10 with grand larceny (Felony). One male was charged on Aug. 11 with a (Misdemeanor). One male was charged on Aug. 12 One 13

Continued from pg. 1 CHARGES Contributed Report

fireflyva.com/construction-updates/.WewilllistReConnectandtheDo-minionEnergyprojectsthereastheygetfurtheralongintheprocess.TheCartersvilleextensionisalreadythere.ThesecondpagethatwillbehelpfulisthePowhatanCountypage.Thatisthepagethatwillfeatureupdatesoneachproject,usingournewtemplate.Iexpectwewillgetthatpostedforeachcountyinthecomingweeks.Youcanseethatpagehere:https://www.firefly-va.com/partners-Powhatan/. Continued from pg. 3 BROADBAND

with driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated (M).

tions District Court, where Snead was deniedWhatbond.had changed from that similar July 28 bond appeal, Cella said Aug. 17, was that the number of alleged victims and charges has increased and the weight of the evidence seems to “tilt” in the Commonwealth’s favor on proving probable cause to hold Snead. In addition to the four indecency with a minor charges that came up in two separate filings through the district court, a multi-jurisdictional grand jury indicted Snead on Aug. 3 on four counts of indecency with a minor while in a custodial position and one count of soliciting child pornography from a victim that is at least 15 years old. A magistrate granted Snead a $5,000 secured bond on those five charges on Aug. 8. During the Aug. 17 bond appeal hearing, defense attorney Arnold Henderson asked the judge for Snead to be released under the same conditions he granted on July 28: that he would be put on house arrest at his parent’s home, was to have no contact with juveniles at any time, and restricted all cell phone and internet use. Henderson pointed to Snead’s strong ties with the community, as evidenced by several supporters at the trial; him not having a past criminal record; and him not being a flight risk. In his arguments against bond, Cerullo said the flight issue was the “least of the Commonwealth’s concern.” Instead, he pointed to the number of accusers who have come forward since Snead has been in custody, arguing that it was “no coincidence that when the defendant was locked up – was held –the floodgates opened.” With juvenile witnesses, protection is key, he continued, and if Snead was released on bond, intimidation would be a factor.

Habitat For Humanity - Powhatan is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping our Powhatan neighbors with housing needs. We build homes for sale to qualified individuals and we repair existing homes for those who cannot afford to make repairs themselves. For the work we do at Habitat, we depend on volunteers and on donors. We operate the Habitat Store and the income from the store helps pay for repairs on homes. Volunteers can call 804-594-7009 to volunteer with helping with construction, repairs, store staffing and other needs. For those wishing to make donations of acceptable items to the Habitat Store, call 804-594-7009. For those wishing to make cash donations, donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 416, Powhatan, VA 23139. Check out our website at habitatpowhatan.org and become a friend on see CALENDAR, pg. 7

CALENDAR any areas where fiber is in place and connections have started or where that is imminent? What do the next few months look like?

“The Commonwealth will prove the defendant has been a danger to the community for 10 years,” Cerullo argued, adding there is no way for the court to say the defendant will “no longer be a danger.” He also argued his ofﬁce is “regularly getting calls with more possible cases” and is working through those with the ofﬁce’s limited resources. Those who have come forward to accuse Snead include both minors and adults who were minors at the time of the incidents for which Snead is charged, authorities said. According to court documents submitted by Timothy Dustan, deputy Commonwealth’s attorney, the charges brought against Snead are because of incidents alleged to have occurred in 2010, 2015, 2021 and 2022 with male and female minors ranging in age from 14 to 17, with the abuse described as taking place at the high school, his home and while away on band trips. Cerullo said Snead has been placed on administrative leave by the school division pending the outcome of the case.Snead is next set to appear on Sept. 21 for a preliminary hearing in Powhatan Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. A trial date on Snead’s indictments will be set Oct. 11. Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com.

with brandishing a ﬁrearm (M), underage possession of marijuana and aggressive driving (M). Incident report for Aug. 8 to 14 - Incident type & total calls

The Cartersville extension near Trenholm Road will be the first area connected in Powhatan. There will be more to follow as we ramp up efforts for the ReConnect areas. There will be some plows and boring machines in the county soon for those underground builds. Getting the contracts signed took forever it seemed, but we should be able to move forward with construction pretty soon on both projects - ReConnect and VATI. Our Firefly website has two pages that will be of interest. The first is Construction Updates page that lists timelines for projects. https://www.

Bridge on Rocky Ford Road closes for replacement help. Front desk volunteers are needed from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Patient registration volunteers are needed from 5 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays. Volunteers can work as little as once a month or more frequently if desired. Consider joining the dedicated group of volunteers who are working to keep Powhatan residents healthy in mind, body and spirit. Contact Betsy Blandford, volunteer coordinator, at The804-380-1270.CoalitionofPowhatan Churches has available resources to help people who would like assistance in learning to manage their finances. If you know of anyone who needs or would like to have this service, or to get more information, call Robin Cupka at 804-801-9851.

our

Page 4A Powhatan Today, August 24, 2022 Genito Presbyterian Church 2910GenitoRd.Powhatan,VA 372-9074 WorshipwithusthisSunday Churchservice@9:30AM Sundayschool@10:30AM St.Luke’sEpiscopalChurch SUNDAYS 8:00AMinpersonserviceinthechurch 10:30AMinpersonserviceinthechurch (livestreamed) www.stlukespowhatan.org AllareWelcome Formoreinformationvisitwww.stlukespowhatan.org Route711atThreeBridgeRoad794-6953 CHURCH DIRECTORY PowhatanChristian Fellowship SundayMorningWorship 11:00a.m. SundaySchool10:00a.m. WednesdayNight7:30p.m. 3308PleasantsRoad, 1/4mileoffofRoute711 RussCress,Pastor 598-0733 MeetingSundays inFarmville, ForkUnion,Midlothian, PowhatanandOnline. Visitpccwired.netfor servicestimes&locations. 598-1174pccwired.net Providence Presbyterian Church “WorshipingandWitnessing inWesternPowhatan since1825” WorshipService11:00am AllAreWelcome! 598-4970 Located1950RidgeRoad (Rt.627) St.JohnNeumann CatholicChurch Rev.WalterG.Lewis,Pastor Saturday-5p.m. Sunday-8:30a.m.&11a.m. 598-3754 www.sjnpowhatan.org LocatedbehindFlatRock VillageShoppingCenter E VERGREEN C OMMUNITY C HURCH (PCA) Proclaiming&PracticingtheGospelofJesusChrist WorshipServiceat10:00AM Meetingat2375SkaggsRoad,Powhatan. ECCPCA.ORG 598-8844 Worship: 8:30&10:30am www.powhatanumc.us WeekdayPreschool(ages2-5) 598-6090 2253RossonRd. JustoffRt.13intheVillage 598-4438 LivingAsChrist’sDisciplesWithinOur HeartsandBeyondOurDoors MountCalvary BaptistChurch 2020RedLaneRoad Powhatan,VA23139 Pastor,LarryB.Collins SundaySchool9:45a.m. SundayWorship11:00a.m. WednesdayBibleStudy 7:30p.m. Office804-598-2398 Church Directory. Call 804-746-1235 ext.2 fordetails. Advertisein SundaySchool10AM WorshipService11AM PastorJohnEngle 603-933-0141 3540OldBuckinghamRd. www.pmchurch.net 1801Huguenot https://www.facebook.com/2emmaus/www.EmmausChristianChurch.orgSundayWorship10amTrailBryanM.Holt,Pastor804-378-3607 CRIME REPORT Advice 36 Animal calls 13 Assault 2 Assist 12 Attempt to locate 7 BOL 1 Child welfare 1 Civil 3 Death investigation 1 Deliver message 2 Disabled vehicle 11 Disorder/disturbance 6 Domestic 5 Drugs 1 Dumping 1 Follow-up 1 Found property 1 Fraud 3 Funeral 2 Gas drive-off 1 Gunshot calls 3 Investigation 7 Larceny 5 Lockout 5 Loud music 2 Missing person 2 MVAs 13 Noise 2 Open door 2 Pd alarm 28 Phone threat 3 Psychiatric 2 Reckless driver 9 Sex offense 1 Stolen vehicle 2 Suspicious 18 Trafﬁc hazard 13 Trafﬁc stop 40 Trespass 4 Unknown emergency 19 Vandalism 2 Warrant service 2 Weapon offense 1 Welfare check 5

assault and battery of

family member

was charged on

male was charged on Aug.

Continued from pg. 2

The bridge on Rocky Ford Road in Powhatan County closed on Monday, Aug. 22, for a partial replacement that should take three weeks, weather permitting. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will replace portions of the bridge over Rocky Ford Creek.Local property owners will have access to their property throughout the duration of the project, by approaching the road from the side of the closure in which their property is located. All other drivers should follow the posted detour Northboundroute:Rocky Ford Road (Route 603) – Take Genito Road (Rt. 604) east to Dorset Road (Route 622), north to Anderson Highway (Route 60), west to Old Buckingham Road (Route 13) and back to Rocky Ford Road (RouteSouthbound603). Rocky Ford Road (Route 603) – Take Old Buckingham Road (Route 13) to Anderson Highway (Route 60) east to Dorset Road (Route 622), south to Genito Road (Route 604), and then west back to Rocky Ford Road (Route 603).

The two-lane Rocky Ford Creek bridge was built in 1950. VDOT will replace the steel beams and timber decking above the bridge’s abutments. Anyone with questions about the project can call VDOT’s customer service center at 800-FOR-ROAD (800367-7623). For the latest real-time trafﬁc information or road conditions, call 511 or visit http://www.511virginia.org.

Above from left, Powhatan County Public Schools superintendent prepares to present the Spirit Stick to this year’s winner at the 2022 convocation held Aug. 16; center, Powhatan Middle staff join with the elementary schools to try to out cheer the high school; right, Powhatan Elementary principal Constance Deal reacts to the amount on the check covering the $1,000 Curtis grants for her teachers, librarians and counselors.

PHOTOS BY LAURA McFARLAND

CONVOCATION

“I think it was phenomenal. There was a lot of positive energy. I think it helped people to move beyond these last few years and hoping that it feels more normal. We know it is a new normal, but still we are back to the focus on teaching and learning and not the other distractions we have had for the past few years,” she said. Other highlights of the event included Powhatan Middle School winning the Spirit Stick for their performance at the event and staff more than answering the call to bring nonperishable items to the event to donate to Backpacks of Love with 3,675 items donated as well as cash donations. Continued from pg. 1

Page 5APowhatan Today, August 24, 2022 CHURCH DIRECTORY GracelandBaptistChurch Dr.RonaldWyatt,Jr.,Pastor Contemporary–9:00a.m. SundaySchool–9:45a.m. Worship–11a.m. Children’sWorship–11a.m. Praise&Worship–6p.m. LighthouseYouth–Wed.5:30p.m. BibleStudy–Wed.6:30p.m. Children’sWorship(allages)–Wed.6:30p.m. MiraclesofGodSp.NeedsService: 2p.m.the2ndSat.ofeachmonth 598-3481•975DorsetRoad www.gracelandbc.org Hollywood BaptistChurch “AChurchWhereLove NeverFails!” PastorOtisB.Lockhart,Jr 598-2763 SundaySchool at9:30a.m. MorningService at11:00a.m. BibleStudy EveryWednesdayNight at6:30p.m. 3964OldBuckinghamRoad HollyHills BaptistChurch www.HollyHillsBaptist.org (IndependentBibleBelieving) RandyBlackwell,Pastor SundaySchool-10:00a.m. SundayMorningWorship-11:00a.m. WednesdayPrayerMeeting7:30 p.m. 379-8930 1659AndersonHighway 3½mileseastofFlatRock GREENBRIER BAPTISTCHURCH “Godusesordinarypeopletodo extraordinarythings. Wewalkbyfaithandnotbysight” –PastorDarnellCarruthers SundaySchool:10:00-10:45a.m. WorshipService:11:00a.m. 4731BellRoad, Powhatan,VA23139 804-598-5491 5680CartersvilleRoad Powhatan,Virginia23139 PastorGregoryL.BeechaumSr. “ThechurchwhereJesusisAlive” 9:00a.m.----SundaySchool 9:45a.m.-----Prayer&Praise 10:00a.m.---SundayMorningWorship 5thSundayat11a.m. HourofPower 7:30p.m.----TuesdayNightWorship& BibleStudy 804-375-9404 SECONDANTIOCH BAPTISTCHURCH 1059DorsetRoad Powhatan,VA23139 ReverendMarkA.Divens,Sr. Pastor PraiseandWorshipService SundaySchool9:45-10:45 SundayMorningWorship willbeginat11:00a.m. OLDPOWHATAN BAPTISTCHURCH BradRussell,Pastor 598-4241 Servicetimesare 8:30a.m.and10:15a.m. Worshiponlineat10:15a.m. 2202OldChurchRoad www.powhatanbaptist.org 2095RedLaneRoad 1/2mileoffRt.60onRedLaneRoad 804-598-2455 www.redlanebaptist.org SmallGroupClasses9:00a.m. WorshipService10:30a.m. Dr.JamesTaylor,Pastor FIRSTANTIOCH BAPTISTCHURCH 3920MAIDENSRD.,POWHATAN 804-598-2301 SundaySchool10:00a.m. SundayMorningService 11:00a.m. WednesdayMidDay BibleStudy11:30a.m. EveningBibleStudy7:00p.m. 3619HuguenotTrail Powhatan,Virginia23139 www.finecreekbaptist.org SundaySchool:9:45a.m. WorshipService:11:00a.m. Traditional VernGilmer,Pastor MOUNTZION BAPTISTCHURCH 2591RidgeRoad Powhatan,Virginia23139 804-598-2051 Rev.BryanStevens,Pastor 10a.m.–WorshipService 8:30a.m.–ChurchSchool 2390EmmanuelChurchRoad 804-372-9254 www.newwalkbible.org SundayWorship10:00AM SundaySchool9:00AM BibleStudyWed.7:00PM MuddyCreek BaptistChurch SundaySchool-9:45a.m. Worship-11a.m. WednesdayBibleStudy& PrayerService-7:00p.m. PastorJeffBeard,MA,MBA 3470TrenholmRoad www.muddycreekbaptist.org Advertisein Powhatan Today’sChurch Directory. Call804-746-1235 ext.2fordetails. Sunday10am,11am&6pm Wednesday7pm TravisL.Keith-Pastor ChurchOffice:794.7054 JustAcrossfromSouth CreekShoppingCenter!www.glbcpva.org Family WorshipCenter “YourCommunity Church” 2901JudesFerryRoad Powhatan,Va23139 804-379-8223 Sundays10:00a.m. Wednesday6:30p.m. Experiencingthepresence, powerandpersonofJesusChrist Loving,Investing,Fulfilling,Empowering SeniorPastorJustinWilson SundayService10:30am 2410NewDorsetCircle www.Communitylifechurchpowhatan.org 1530CookRoad(Rt.636) be accredited once again. Results won’t be finalized until the week of Sept.“What19. makes me even more proud is that we see gains in reading, mathematics, science and social studies with all of our students,” Teigen said. The new superintendent said the school division is going to move from “great to epic” this school year, which wouldn’t be possible without community support. She then brought Powhatan resident Karla Curtis out to make the announcement that she and her husband Bob have donated $341,000 so that every teacher, librarian, and counselor will once again receive a $1,000 individualized grant to spend on their classroom or their students in the coming school year. This is the fourth year the couple has chosen to make this gesture to Powhatan’s educators, recognizing both their hard work and how often they dip into their own pockets to help students in some way. The donations have been reinvesting into the local school system pieces of the roughly $500 million the couple made from the sale of their company PIEtech to Envestnet in 2019. Karla Curtis said in a separate interview that she and Bob don’t have a desired long-term impact and are not involved in setting strategies or goals for PCPS. When PIEtech moved its offices to Powhatan in 2008, they were clear that they wanted to be a good corporate citizen, so they donated to many of the nonprofit organizations that are focused on helping Powhatan residents.“After we sold PIE and had more money for philanthropy, we decided to continue supporting Powhatan – rather than supporting a wider geographic area or supporting specific sectors or causes,” she said. “Support for PCPS was a logical choice – it’s the largest employer in Powhatan, and critical for the long-term health and vitality of Powhatan. I think we’ve all had teachers/counselors/librarians who’ve made a difference in our lives. We also recognize that teachers/counselors/librarians do important, difficult jobs – and our $1,000 grant to each is our way of saying ‘Thank you. We appreciate you and your skills, resourcefulness, and commitment to the children and teens of Powhatan.’”Curtissaidshe also hopes the grants help with morale. A teacher told Bob recently that she uses the grant as a recruiting message. “It’s a bit of financial help also – we all know that teachers often spend their own money, so the $1,000 gives each one a bit of a cushion. We don’t ask for an accounting of how the money is spent. In addition to the financial help, we do this because we believe that teachers/counselors/librarians are critical to the success of PCPS and, therefore, to the county – and we want to recognize and thank them for the important job that they do,” she said. Teigen said in a separate interview that once she met the couple and learned they planned to continue the grants, she felt it was important Karla Curtis speak directly to staff about why she and Bob care so much about supporting the schools. “I think teachers don’t feel the love from the public and haven’t for the last couple of years. So knowing that there are people out there advocating and supporting the work you do was so important. I asked her if they are going to continue to support us, could she be the one to tell the teachers and share her ‘why,’” Teigen said. After Curtis finished, Teigen announced that the Powhatan Education Foundation will also continue its support of learning through $15,000 worth of Classroom Innovation Grants. Teachers can submit applications for projects, activities and innovations they want to implement. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Sept. 23. When applying for the grants, Teigen said she hopes teachers will think about “innovative practices that are aligned with the priorities for the year, which is really about thinking about creative and critical thinking and giving the students voice and choice in how they demonstrate mastery of their learning.”“Iamhoping with that being part of our strategic plan and the focus for this year, they will hopefully align their applications around that so it really helps move instruction forward,” she said. She added that the existing strategic plan for the school division is in its fi nal year, so PCPS will be going through the strategic planning process this year looking ahead for a minimum of the next five years. After the convocation, Teigen said she was happy to see all school division employees gathered together to celebrate the start of the new school year because it takes all of them to make it all possible.

From top down, band members and cheer leaders joined Powhatan High School staff to help them out cheer the other side; Tracie Omohundro leads a game of red light, green light; staff participate in a pool noodle relay; and Powhatan Middle principal Samantha Martin holds aloft the Spirit Stick her school won for their performance at convocation.

Powhatan Food Pantry

“Yesterday I think I did six cases where I paid disconnect, rent in arrears so somebody wouldn’t be kicked out, I paid a deposit so someone could get in a new rental. These are thousands of dollars,” she said. In the short term, Cupka said the Coalition does need help from the community in the form of donations. The nonproﬁt has great relationships with other local nonproﬁts and about “25% of the churches in the county are actively supporting us,” she said, but again pointed out the demand right now is higher than the donations coming in.

“Theissues.Coalition and the food pantry too, we try to bring those issues up to people. We don’t want to put a bandaid on things, we want to help them move forward,” she said. “We offer ﬁnancial counseling, we try to point them to other resources and discuss how can you improve your situation. The bottom line is that doesn’t happen overnight.”

Donations to the Coalition may be sent to PO Box 57 Powhatan, VA 23139 with any checks made out to “Coalition of Powhatan Churches.” For more information, contact 804-598-2454 or copcpow@outlook.com.

Page 6A Powhatan Today, August 24, 2022 LeliaPalmoreWinget-Hernandez CertifiedElderLawAttorney(CELA) CountonCommonwealthLife&LegacyCounsel forhelpwith: •Estateplanning •Wills,Trusts,DurablePowersofAttorney •AdvancedMedicalDirectives,LivingWills •SpecialNeedsPlanning •FiduciaryandProbateLitigation •ElderLaw,Guardianships,andLongTermCarePlanning PROTECTINGYOURFAMILY, ASSETS,ANDRETIREMENT ServingPowhatan: FromPowhatan,InPowhatanForPowhatan 3829OldBuckinghamRoad,SuiteC Powhatan,VA23139 804-598-1348 www.winget-hernandez.cominfo@winget-hernandez.com ADMISSIONTOALL2022-2023 REGULAR SEASONHOMEGAMES JOINTHE INDIAN CLUB andcheerthePowhatanIndians ontoanothersuccessfulseason! •Student-$55(onecard) •Business/Adult$110(onecard) •Family-$260 *(thisappliestotheClubMemberandallimmediatefamily memberslivinginthesamehousehold.Whenpurchasingthe Familymembership,theIndianClubwillneedalistingofall namestobeincludedonthatmembership.Eachmemberwill beprovidedamembershipcardtoshowforadmission).Good forall regularseason gamesduringthe2022-23schoolyear!! JOINNOW andreceivemorethana$400value. Indianclubmemberswillberecognizedinthe FallSportsProgram. Memberswillberecognizedat2022Homefootballgames! 2022-23IndianClub Registration __Student$55__Business/Adult$110__Family$260 Check1ormoremembershipsabove.FamilyMembershipmustsendlistofallnames. ChecksmaybemadeouttoPowhatanHighSchool.Thecardswillbeavailableatschoolinthefront office.YoumayalsopurchaseyourIndianClubmembershiponlineontheschoolwebsitewhereyou payschoolfees(SchoolCashOnline). Name/Business Address Phone don’t think they know about us and what we are doing.” Fields agreed, giving the example that “in one week last week I spent over $1,000 buying food, but yesterday I got a check for $1,000. People are more aware of the need for food. They don’t know about the Coalition.” Coalition of Powhatan Churches For the Coalition, the need started out with utility bills in arrears, Cupka said. “At that point it appeared from what people were saying to be a combination of the fact they were used to getting COVID money and they were used to the freeze where they weren’t going after people,” she said. “When that lifted, people seemed to not have kept up on their utility bills or couldn’t afford to pay them, so we had a lot of disconnect notices, a lot of utilities in arrears.”

Cupka said that this past week “we had at least two mothers with children in their cars. We have 10 families now on my desk that have eviction notices that have nowhere to go by the end of August and Sept. 1.” She added she isn’t blaming the landlords, who are making smart decisions for themselves, but “some of them are more gracious than others. Some of them are not nice.”

Beyond the immediate needs, Cupka said she and the Coalition’s president, Patsy Goodwyn, want to have a stakeholder meeting with key people in the county to talk about the issues that all make up this problem, whether it is lack of affordable housing or transportation

The Powhatan Food Pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursdays, Saturdays and Tuesdays at 2500 Batterson Road. Contact the pantry at 804-372-9526 or powhatanvafoodpantry@gmail.com.TheCoalitionofPowhatanChurches meets at 5:30 p.m. the third Monday of every month at May Memorial Baptist Church. Any interested churches or individuals are invited to attend. Visit https://www.coalitionofpowhatanchurches.com/. Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@ powhatantoday.com.

The Coalition has one transition house that is currently occupied and a waiting list of 10 people, Cupka said. “There is nowhere to put people in an emergency situation.”“Alotof them have jobs that are being evicted. It is not that they are unemployed. There is just nothing affordable for the incomes they have,” Cupka said, adding the average prices she has found range from $1,200 to $1,400 a month but are heading upward. The increase in demands is reﬂected in how its resources have been hit, Cupka said. The Coalition re-

ceives $12,250 in federal grant funds for each quarter, which was based off of needs in the COVID-19 pandemic years, when there was more aid available at the federal, state and local levels to take the burden off the Coalition. They can’t request an increase in the grant amounts until the next ﬁscal year starts July 1, 2023. But after the current quarter started on July 1 the requests for assistance came rapidly, Cupka said.

More recently, with the housing market being so hot, local landlords are taking advantage of the generally higher selling process to put their rental properties on the market rather than maintaining them, Cupka said. “So a number of families are getting eviction notices. Even if they are not behind on their rent they are being told their landlord is selling their property and they have 30 days to vacate,” she said. “When they try to ﬁnd another rental they can’t. There is nothing available. All the rents are increasing and the people who aren’t being evicted are facing rent increases when leases are up.” One factor may be that the Virginia Rent Relief Program, which was designed to support and ensure housing stability across the Commonwealth during the coronavirus pandemic, stopped accepting applications on May 15. Since the program’s inception, more than $745 million has been distributed to households in Virginia and 147,827 payments have been made in rent and mortgage relief assistance, according to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s website.

Continued from pg. 1 COALITION

While in a less precarious position because of great community support, the Powhatan Food Pantry is also seeing the impact of people struggling as its numbers continue to increase, so it still needs community support, Theresa Fields said. In July 2022, the food pantry served 139 families, up from 99 in June and with numbers rising steadily since January, when the nonproﬁt served 71 families, sheInsaid.2021, the numbers had ﬂuctuation, ranging from a low of 64 families served to a high of 88. The higher numbers tended to be in the winter months. Fields pointed out that even at 139 families, these are not record numbers for the food pantry. In 2019, 136 families in July was the lowest number of families served but the highs were 175 and 172 families served in November and December, respectively. The pandemic had a huge impact on people, but recognizing that, there were more sources of assistance, Fields said. Between the school division giving out free meals to children, more money with food stamps and other food pantries, just to name a few resources, there was lower demand on the Powhatan Food Pantry. But as some of those sources have been drying up, the food pantry’s numbers are on the rise again, she said. “What we are seeing here is more and more people coming in. They are not making it out there. They are having issues with the food. They are having trouble feeding their families. It just seems like they are barely making it,” Fields said. The food pantry tracks families receiving assistance but also looks at individuals served and breaks down the numbers further into adult, child and senior (age 60 plus) categories. All three categories saw increases, but while the number of seniors seeking help at the food pantry generally remained in the 60s from February through June 2022, they served 102 seniors in July. The demand is great, but so too is the desire to help, Fields said. “We don’t just shut the doors in the middle of the month because we run out of money. We feel we are showing the love of Christ in the community by doing what he would have done. So we are not turning anybody away.”

“We received grant funds for this quarter starting July 1 and I am out of all the money I have allocated to me for this quarter. So the Coalition is covering these needs solely on donations now,” Cupka said, adding the money is always used, but it usually can last until the end of a quarter. The Coalition’s resources are being drained by these requests that are large monetary needs, she added.

PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND Volunteers Theresa Quinn, from left, Linda Estes and Donna Taylor fill a client’s order at the Powhatan Food Pantry.

CALENDAR Time for a change of behavior from board Dear Editor, It’s apparent that some on the Powhatan Board of Supervisors (BOS) can aptly be compared to infants who demonstrate displeasure when their porridge is not served in a timely manner or when not offered in the expected quantity. The incessant crying, whining, and unwanted displays surely won’t ever put more porridge on their spoons hopefully realizing providing more is often beyond parental intentions.Atthat point the child is either rightfully ignored or appropriately disciplined. Frankly, the “adult” children on the Powhatan BOS deserve a lot of the former and a healthy dose of the latter. Hmmm, that’s right, one of those wayward porridge eaters has already been chastised, nonetheless disruption at the “kitchen table” continues unabated. What’s even more regretful comes when all realize an errant, unruly child robs time from their siblings or imposes unwelcome stress on everyone else at the table.In the broader adult world, such reallocation of resources imposes what economists refer to as “opportunity costs.” Again, the BOS porridge eaters continually impose such costs as the rest of the family is forced to expend time, energy, and mental resources contending with each child’s self-serving ends or well-constructed campaigns engineered, often surreptitiously, to remove a family member from their rightful place at the operational table. The act of firing an executive, short of malfeasance, is tantamount to capital punishment and should not be sought, and certainly never imposed, via the obvious orchestration of a campaign mounted by the porridge eaters who find their bowl empty on the downside of 3-2 votes. Mistakes are made, people sometimes fall short of expectations, but by-in-large the experienced and passionate devote themselves to an assigned task with success routinely exceeding everyone’s expectations. The critical pre-requisite is allowing them the time to do so. However, if at every juncture the porridge eaters mount a concerted effort to denigrate, the result is disruption as well as those darn opportunity costs rearing their ugly heads. The result of their actions imposes costs that distract, move the collective eye off the ball, and paint Powhatan in a bad light making recruitment of talented people very difficult if notIt'simpossible.timetoSTOP empowering those porridge loving children from dictating the discussion and certainly not the menu at the county’s table. Time to get onboard with an erstwhile commitment to stop the scheming, opting instead to redirect efforts to build up and not tear down those hired to operate the county’s dayto-dayNothingbusiness.wrong with porridge nor with a desire to have one more spoonful, but the crying when a child does not get his way has become tiresome. I suspect also unwelcome by a growing number who simply want great schools, serviceable roads, safety provided by an always responsive sheriff’s department, longer walking trails, lights on the ball field, and certainly another convenience center. High time, don’t you think?

Continued from pg.

By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

Convocation overflows with good cheer LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The five principals were called up individually to receive the checks for their schools, which added up to a total of $341,000. The look of shock on Powhatan Elementary principal Constance Deal’s face I captured on page 5A as she got her first look at her school’s check is very much real (sorry Mrs. Deal!) and was just an overall heartwarming moment. I remember the first time I got to watch Karla Curtis make that announcement at each school four years ago and the recognizable shock and awe on the educators’ faces when they realized what the couple was doing for them. Then and now, this gift is a recognition of how often educators go over and above for their students, even dipping into their own pockets. The fact that somebody wanted to lighten that burden for them has to make our teachers, librarians and counselors feel good. Laughter is also good to help with that burden, and watching the participants in the games they put on was a nice boost. Whether we were watching a competitive round of red light green light or some great teamwork with staff trying to do a relay race while holding a piece of a pool noodle in place between their heads, it was just a fun morning. While the staff members were the stars of this show, I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to the excellent student participation that made it extra special. The PHS cheerleaders did a fantastic job of getting the sections fired up with their victory cheer and even inspired two teachers to join in their acrobatic feats. Powhatan Elementary kindergarten teacher Mckenzie Cable got some of her co-workers to boost her up into a cheer stunt to spur her section on when it was their turn. Then Pocahontas Elementary first grade teacher Riley Mosher followed suit when it was her school’s turn. You’ve got to love it when people go the extra mile. Also adding to the event were band students from the middle and high schools, who not only played on their own but joined in a few of the cheers to pump up the volume. And rounding out the group was PHS student Delaine Healey, who did an amazing rendition of the National Anthem. I don’t know what this school year is going to bring. If the last two and a half years have shown us anything, it is that life is too unpredictable to anticipate everything that could come our way. But judging by the enthusiasm, spirit and joy to be there I saw on Aug. 16, I will say it already looks to be a promising school year. Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@ powhatantoday.com.

Keith PowhatanBuchCounty

Facebook at Habitat For Humanity Powhatan! Narconon Arrowhead is here to help you. Narconon offers free addiction counseling, assessments, and referral services to rehabilitation centers nationwide. Call 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www. narcononarrowhead.org.PowhatanCountyPublic Library is excited to partner with Wowbrary to offer library patrons the opportunity to subscribe to a curated weekly e-newsletter showcasing new library acquisitions. Each newsletter features the latest bestsellers, movies, audio books, children's titles, cookbooks, mysteries, and more purchased by the library. Wowbrary alerts are free and all you need is a valid email address. Visit www.wowbrary.org to sign up. A Powhatan County Public Library card in good standing is required to check out print and electronic items. To obtain a library card, visit the library or apply online at www. powhatanlibrary.net.

Teigen’s entrance played on the theme set for this school year, “REV-ing it up!” since PCPS is Re-setting Expectations and the Vision. The Saturday before convocation, Linwood Shores, owner of Shores Collision Inc., loaned the school division an Indians’ orange and black 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 to help make a video showing the new superintendent arriving in style. As the video of her walking through school and into the cafeteria ended, she walked through the doors to the sound of a thunderous applause that had to feel good for her as a start to both the new school year and this new phase in her career.The next crescendo came a few minutes later, when Powhatan resident Karla Curtis announced she and her husband Bob would once again be giving $1,000 grants to every teacher, librarian and counselor to spend in their classrooms or on their students. Their continued support of the school system has been amazing and I can’t even imagine all of the small and large impacts educators have been able to make in students’ lives because of their generosity.

August 24, 2022 Page 7A 8460 Times Dispatch Blvd., Mechanicsville, Va 23116 Phone: 804-746-1235 Toll Free: 877-888-0449 Fax: 804-344-8746 Powhatan Today is published weekly on Wednesday with offices located at 8460 Times Dispatch Blvd., Mechanicsville, Va 23116. Periodical Postage paid at Powhatan, Va. 23139. USPS # 000-035 © 2022 by Richmond Suburban Newspapers. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher. CAC Audited Circulation: 11,026. WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS Powhatan Today welcomes your Letters to the Editor on topics of concern to you and the community. Letters, which should be no longer than 400 words, must include the name, address and telephone number of the author. The deadline is noon the Thursday before publication, but letters may be held until the following week upon the editor’s discretion. The publisher or editor of Powhatan Today reserves the right to edit or withhold from publication any letter for any reason whatsoever. Once received, all letters become the possession of Powhatan Today. Letters reflect the opinion of the author, not necessarily that of Powhatan Today or its staff Publisher Joy Monopoli jmonopoli@rsnva.com Production Manager Denine D’Angelo ddangelo@mechlocal.com Managing Editor Laura McFarland lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com Sports Editor Robby Fletcher rfletcher@powhatantoday.com Sales Representative Tom Haynie thaynie@mechlocal.com Classifieds Cindy Adams cadams@mechlocal.com

Dear Editor, The Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) is in the process of reviewing the documentation submitted by Green Ridge Landfill in order to issue a “stream fill permit.” This permit is required to fill in over 13,000 lineal feet of streams as an integral part of the overall permitting of the landfill by VA’s Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The ACOE is accepting public comments to assist in their decisionmaking process. Comments can be sent in by e-mail through August 28, 2022, to steven.a.vanderploeg@usace.army. milSeveral of the streams to be filled flow year round and originate from springs on the site of the landfill. In order to build the landfill, a massive underdrain system (French Drain) will be required to redirect the flow of the streams/springs to beneath the landfill and directly into nearby Muddy Creek. A single liner is currently planned for this site. Failure of the liner will allow toxic landfill leachate to flow rapidly through the underdrain system and directly into Muddy Creek and ultimately into the James River. Thus the “Affected Environment” will stretch all the way downstream to the Richmond drinking water intakes on the James River. Richmond, Henrico, Hanover, Goochland, Chesterfield, the Powhatan DOC Prison Farm, and Powhatan (Chesterfield County line to Flat Rock) rely on the James River for drinking water. Consequently, 700,000 citizens who rely on the James River for drinking water, including children at the Powhatan High School and the Flat Rock Elementary School, could be adversely affected. The drain system will also lower the water table but the impact of such a system on adjacent private water wells has not been, but must be, determined. The underdrain system could cause nearby shallow wells to run dry. The latest DEQ Municipal Solid Waste Annual Report indicates that Virginia has 21.4 years of landfill capacity at the current time. Powhatan’s solid waste goes to Amelia County’s Maplewood Landfill for disposal. This landfill, which is owned and operated by Waste Management, is only 30 miles from the Green Ridge proposed landfill site and has 70 years of capacity remaining. Given these facts there is no public need for the Green Ridge Landfill.The proposed Green Ridge Landfill, if built, will be a 1,200-acre Mega Landfill accepting 5,000 tons per of trash. Based on discussions, it is my opinion that the Norfolk District Corps of Engineers does not have the proper expertise to evaluate the comments made by citizens and the responses to our comments made by Draper Aden Associates (Green Ridge’s consultant). In particular, the expertise of a hydrogeologist, a landfill engineer, and a historic property specialist must be utilized to properly evaluate this complex industrial project. Please ensure that your comment email requests that the Corps of Engineers conduct a public hearing and that they prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

Robert PowhatanPowersCounty

Public input sought on landfill’s permit

The excitement was so palpable it was quite literallyWalkingoverwhelming.intothePowhatan High School gymnasium last Tuesday morning, I was hit with a wall of sound and energy. Powhatan County Public Schools held its convocation to kick off the school year, and it was attended by all staff members, not just teachers, with everyone making the most of it. Coming down the hall to the event, you could already hear the sound of the cheering, stomping and general pep rally-level exuberance, but even that couldn’t prepare you for the sheer volume once you wereOninside.oneside were sections for Powhatan High School and Powhatan Middle School staff members, and across the room were Flat Rock, Pocahontas and Powhatan Elementary schools. Each made up their own sections, and all of them were trying to outdo each other with their over-the-top antics and shows of spirit, so it immediately made me smile. Over the next hour, that energy never waned, and unbelievably, sometimes it got even louder – like when new superintendent Beth Teigen had her own special entrance thanks to some community support.

What is your favorite part about schools being back in E-mailsession?answers to editor@powhatantoday.com or share them on the Powhatan Today’s Facebook page.

Aware is considering offering more events in the fall and winter as the public education is a beneﬁt to everyone, SheppersonForsaid.more information, email Shepperson at sueswildlifefarm@yahoo.com or visit https://awarewildanimals.com/. To ﬁnd a wildlife rehabilitator in the area, visit the Department of Wildlife Resources’ website, https://dwr.virginia.gov/. Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com.

“We tried to cram as much as we could of hands-on activities, getting out and walking and lots of games – things we felt like would really help the kids remember what we were teaching because they were learning it through those hands-on activities and the games. I think the kids really enjoyed it,” she Liamsaid.Dahnke, 10, of Chesterﬁeld attended the camp while staying with his grandparents, who live in Powhatan. Liam said he loved playing games, learning about animals and seeing them up close. “I really like nature and love being in nature. I liked that there was animals. We learned about what deer use to signal that there is a predator or danger. We also learned how to identify some animal tracks and bird calls,” he said. Matthew Cmolik, 8, of Powhatan learned about Aware when the group performed as part of the Powhatan County Summer Reading program and then found out about the camp. Matthew said he had a great time, between learning about animals, playing games, going on nature walks and doing fun craft projects.

Above, from left, campers who attended the Aware Wildlife Discovery Camp take a group photo with Aware educators Susan Sheppers on, Carolyn Hatter and Rosalind Ryan; center, campers Bradley Frohman, Jolee Shepperson, Halee Shepperson and Grace Ward show off their raptor paintings; right, Isaac Early, Wyatt Allen, Conner Cridlin and Walker Losch complete nature bingo. Below, from top left to bottom, Aware educator Zack Mahone shows a corn snake on reptile day; Elias Ward pets a reticulated python; Jolee Shepperson, Ashley Wallace, Adaline Conyers and Ryker Saba end camp on a hot day with water wars; and Lexi Hicks, Everlee Sauerbrey and Eloise Rai paint toad abodes. pg.

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Kids are naturally curious and they tend to love animals and nature,” said Shepperson, who ran the camp with fellow instructors Rosalind Ryan and Carolyn Hatter. The half-day programs were so packed with activities it seems unreal the children weren’t there all day. Every day, campers got to meet new wild animals that were rehabilitated by Aware but could not be released back into the wild for various reasons. Visitors included a groundhog, mallard duck, pileated woodpecker, pigeon, red tail hawk, grey horned owl, red footed tortoise, iguana, corn snake, python and a copperhead (in a locked glass container).

PHOTOS BY ANJIE KAY

“A lot of times the reasons these animals are hurt is due to human conﬂict. We get a lot of things that are hit by cars, some are poisoned; we get a lot of cat and dog attacks on animals,” she said. “It is a way to help out – not only for the animals but for the public. When people ﬁnd things that are injured they want to help, so we are providing a service to them, too. We offer a place for them to bring them where we can help.”

3 AWARE

Continued from

“We would hope to instill a love and respect for nature and wildlife. In bringing in live animals, they get to really see that these are real living things and the things we talk about, by learning about them, we are hopefully instilling in them a desire to keep wild areas and in conservation,” Shepperson said. “That is our main thing. We need to have wild areas for these animals. I think it is important that children and adults have that respect for nature and wildlife.” They also played games to learn about prey and predators and habitats; took hikes through the woods to look for birds and animal tracks; did nature-themed art projects; dissected owl pellets to see what they had eaten; made bird nests using tweezers to simulate a bird’s beak, and made pollinator homes.

“We learned about raptor birds and they put a vinyl sticker on canvas. Then you paint in all the crevices. When it is dry, you can remove the vinyl sticker and in white outlines it will look like a raptor,” he said of one craft project. He also loved when the instructors created animal tracks such as deer, opossum, squirrel, bear and turkey for them to follow in the woods and compare. “Now I can identify more things in nature. Like I can identify some different trees and I can ﬁgure out what different shrubs are. I even sometimes see birds in my yard. We saw two birds on our second nature walk,” Matthew said. “It is so much fun. It is so amazing to be with an animal rehabilitator and be able to now all the different things in Awarenature.”currently has about 11 rehabilitators active in Powhatan, Chesterﬁeld, Dinwiddie an Prince George counties as well as Richmond. Shepperson is currently caring for several hawks, box turtles, an opossum baby, baby bluebird and a cardinal.

FILE PHOTOS

August 24, 2022 Page 1BPowhatan, Virginia

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Powhatan cross country looking to build off 2021

After a lengthy search that started once athletic director Chip Boone took over in July, the Powhatan boys basketball program has found its new head coach. Booth decided to go in-house with the hire, naming girls basketball assistant Brock Geiman the new leader of the boys team. Geiman joined the girls basketball staff before the 2020-21 season, coming aboard alongside then-ﬁancee and now wife Madison Geiman. “I’m incredibly grateful to the amazing coaches and mentors who I’ve had the distinct pleasure of learning from in preparation for this position and also for Chip Boone and Powhatan High School for trusting me with this role,” Geiman said in a statement to Powhatan Tosee GEIMAN, pg. 3 FILE PHOTO

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

Brock basketballnamedGeimannewboyscoach

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

Sophomore Elizabeth Weimer (top) and junior Tane Jeffs (bottom) will be returning members of Powhatan’s cross country team.

For the first time in 20 years, Powhatan football will have a new public address announcer up in the booth. After Chuck Wolf retired at the end of last season, it was announced that Jonathan McNamara would take over the role, which turned out to be a rather smooth transition since McNamara has experience in the booth for Powhatan basketball and baseball since 2008. While it’s probably impossible to replace the voice of Indians football, McNamara said he has no intention of trying. Instead he plans to find his own voice to serve the Powhatan football fans packed in the stands as well as the fans that traveled to support the opposition.Though he’ll bring a new voice to the microphone, McNamara says he owes a lot to Wolf for the way he approached the job and worked with people who aspired to work in sportsWhenmedia.McNamara was a student at Powhatan, where he graduated in 2001 and was the assistant sports editor at the school newspaper, he says being around Wolf and seeing how he worked and helped people start in the field was important to his own development in sports media.“I got to see not only how he approached the job from an announcing perspective, but just from a professional perspective, and I think that was really important for me,” he said. “In a lot of ways, I owe a lot to McNamaraChuck.”intends to pay it forward in that regard. He hopes that any student or Powhatan local see MCNAMARA, pg. 3

Entering the 2022-23 season with eight seniors, Powhatan volleyball is aiming high thisDespiteseason.being without middle Faith Henderson, libero Kendal McMullin and opposite Emilie McDaniels, pillars to the team’s stalwart defense and communication last year, this year’s crop of Indians contributors are ready to step into the spotlight and prove that they’re the team to beat in theAtdistrict.the head of the Powhatan attack are four senior captains: Sam Flippo, Carly Rehme, Chesed Russell and Olivia Moss.Flippo, moving from middle hitter to outside hitter this season, is a strong defender and a smart passer that’ll be handling signiﬁcant responsibilities as a voice to be followed. Rehme is also moving positions, as she makes the switch from outside hitter to middle hitter as a way to utilize her strong blocking skills and deft passingRussellability. will continue to ﬁnd her place as a middle hitter again this year as she cements herself as one of the team’s most reliable blockers. Moss once again takes the role as setter, quarterbacking the offense with smarts and a killer jump serve. Surrounding the four captains are four more senior contributors that’ll be tasked with catapulting the team to new heights. Setter Sydney Wade, outside hitter Avah Etheridge, libero Sophie Payne and opposite Colby Wright all add to the team’s veteran savvy on the court. Juniors Madalyn Johnson, Natalie Hintz and Grace Hayden see VOLLEYBALL, pg. 3

Previewing Indians volleyball

After coming in as a young and largely unproven group last season, Powhatan cross country enters this 2022-23 season with a healthy dose of experienced distance runners to go along with more newcomers to theIt’steam.astrong crop of athletes on this year’s team, including senior returners Rebecca Stevens and Raquel Iga and juniors Olivia Goodrich, Tane Jeffs, River Leynes, Thomas Menting, Sean Seibel, Eli see CROSS COUNTRY, pg. 3

Senior Sam Flippo is one of four senior captains for the Powhatan Indians varsity volleyball team. She will be switching positions from middle hitter to outside hitter this season.

FIELDHOCKEYALL-STARS 800.296.6246 l cffc.com CitizensandFarmersBank C&FBank’sAthleteoftheWeekC&FBankAthletesoftheWeek WHO: POWHATANFIELD HOCKEYTEAM WHATTHEYDID: Whiletheseasonhasn’tyet started,thePowhatanIndiansfield hockeyteamhasalreadystartedoff ontherightfootbybuildingteam chemistrythroughoff-fieldactivities andcommunityservice. CoachesStephanieTysonand CarynRehmebroughttheteamouton Aug.5forapackeddaythatfeatured workoutsatCycleBarandworkthat positivelyimpactedtheircommunity byhelpingoutatRichmondAnimal League. Theytrimmedtrees,picked weeds,removedbrush,washed windowsanddidsomeweedeating ontheoutsideofthebuildingand laterdonateddogfoodandblankets totheshelter.Throughcommunication andhardwork,theteam-building dayprovedtobeaperfectwayfor theIndianstobondwitheachother beforetheyembarkonanotherseason intheDominionDistrict.

Jonathan McNamara is taking over the role of public address announcer for Powhatan football, a position that was Chuck Wolf’s for 20 years before he retired last year.

There’s a new voice for Indians football

BSH football getting ready for season-opener

There’s also a focus on versatility and a natural blue collar, lunch pail work ethic that’s become prevalent with this group, with Winterrowd praising this team as one that loves to push themselves in every drill thrown their way. With guys working through multiple positions on offense and defense, it gives the coaching staff a unique opportunity to keep a fluid depth chart and tinker with lineups to find the right fit. “It’s one of those things where we’re trying to teach, but at the same time we’re looking for people that can jump right in and help us,” Brock said. “We’ll learn more and more football and get better as we go.” While the team pushes itself to get in top shape for that season-opener, they’ll look to make a statement that, while young and without some of the talent that made them a champion last year, the Knights are ready to create a new winning identity.

“She will still be a part of the team and her enthusiasm and positive attitude will be extremely helpful and hopefully carry over onto the ﬁeld for everyone else,” Tyson said. One player expected to step up into a primary role will be senior forward Lexi Campbell, who has been a four-year varsity player that has led the team in scoring the past two seasons. After a 20goal junior campaign that placed her as a ﬁrst team All-Region and second 804-775-2711

PHOTOS BY ROBBY FLETCHER Powhatan varsity field hockey players scrimmage in a training camp scrimmage on Aug. 11.

Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot Knights players practice with contact drills as they prepare for their season opener on Aug. 26.

Indians ﬁeld hockey has title aspirations in 2022 By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

Forsubscriptioninformation ordeliveryquestionscontact: MichelleWall

PHOTOS BY ROBBY FLETCHER

“The big thing is that we’ve got to stick to basics and we’ve got to run the ball effectively,” Brock said. “Really it comes down to our line play up front and our backs running hard.” Returning running back, junior Will Fichter, is someone that the team is hopeful to step in and blossom into the next Knights star out of the backﬁeld.After scoring four rushing touchdowns with over 400 yards last season, Fichter is ready for a larger role, and he sees how the team has come together after the departure of some key players. “We’ve really come together with a lot of people missing,” Fichter said. “It’s really been a team this year and people have stepped up more thanBrockusual.”and assistant coach Patrick Winterrowd, who runs the defense, have focused on familiar traditions to get the team together, including an annual viewing of the 2000 sports ﬁlm “Remember the Titans” and teamThey’vedinners.also worked meticulously to get the team focused on the mental aspects of the game, which is something they understand will take time with such a young roster, but is important nonetheless for their development.“We’ve been running the same plays now for three weeks,” said Brock. “We’re not there yet, but we’re getting close.”

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By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor Blessed SacramentHuguenot football’s season-opener is just days away with a road matchup against Chincoteague on Aug. 26 and with the team hard at work perfecting every play at practice, the pressure to defend their state title has been a focus for the young team. In his 47th season as a head coach, Gary Brock has seen it all from the sidelines, including teams featuring multiple players stepping into the shoes of departing stars like with this year’s Knights, but his focus before the ﬁrst game is just ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

“I think we continue to move forward from that and approach it the same way we do every year,” Tyson said. “We work hard in everything we do, continue to learn and grow as a team and have the expectation that someone will step up for us to be successful.”Theteamwill also be without Izzy Carsen, who will be out with a knee injury. Carsen was slated to be a defensive leader in the back, but she will continue to help the team in any way she can.

Page 2B Powhatan Today, August 24, 2022

It’ll be a tall task for the Powhatan ﬁeld hockey team to replace nine seniors from last year’s squad, most of whom were with the program all four years, but this year’s Indians are still a talented group that recharged with multiple returning contributors looking to step up into signiﬁcant roles of their own.

Losing players like Peyton Tuttle, Catherine Griffith and Jordan Krauss are significant both for the marks they left as veteran influences to their younger teammates and as leaders on the field that helped throttle the Indians forward to another successful What’llseason. certainly help ease the transition is the contributions of the returning sophomores and juniors that stepped into early playing time last year and four returning seniors. Head coach Stephanie Tyson has been happy with her team’s progress in early training sessions, saying the team is playing with a cohesive style in their first few weeks of practice.

VOLLEYBALL

Contributed Report Powhatan

Senior Olivia Moss returns as the team’s setter for this coming season.

The Hollywood Baptist Church softball team won the Powhatan Church Softball Championship game against the Lambs of PCC on Aug. 18 in a come-from-behind victory.

Kate Adams will also be one of the team’s top leaders on the field. The versatile attacker can play in the midfield or at the front of the attack and is coming off a solid junior season where she recorded eight goals and fiveTysonassists.also credits Adams for being the heartbeat of sorts for the team, also keeping energy up, optimism high and focus on lock through every drill or live-game situation.“She always gives 110% and puts the wellbeing of the team first,” Tyson said. “She has the most positive attitude, even when we are running 100-yard sprints, and has done a great job of leading by example throughout the summer workouts.”Another storyline to look out for is the positional transition from midfield to defense for senior Emilee Taylor, who will be the most experienced player on the defensive side of the field. Her vision and ability to step up at the right moments will be important to how a young defense handles Dominion-level competition.Junior Casey Grell is also switching to a more defensive-minded role this year, taking on a spot in the central midfield.

Hollywood Baptist Church pulled out a comefrom-behind, walk-off win against the Lambs of PCC in the Powhatan Church Softball Championship game series on Thursday, Aug. 18 at Ace’s Diamond Field. This was Hollywood’s second straight title. There was a lot of excitement in this year’s double elimination tournament confirmed by the size of the crowd each night. Despite fifth-seeded St. Johns’ Cinderella run to the winner’s bracket final, the two best teams in the regular season met for the second year in a row for the championship: Hollywood Baptist and the Lambs.Hollywood was at bat in the bottom of the seventh, trailing 12-7. Bases were loaded with one out, and Ben Florence took advantage of his at-bat and hit a grand slam over the left center field fence making the score 12-11. Not to be outdone, lefty Cody Willis followed with a dinger of his own over the right field fence to tie the game. Lastly, Logan Allen strolled up and took the first pitch yards over the left field scoreboard for three consecutive home runs for the win. The final score of the championship mirrored the parity of the regular season. It was one of the closest “pennant” races in the league’s 40+ years. Each of the top-4 teams finished within two games of each other. It was another successful season for the league and all the athletes that participated, and the direction now turns to spring training that begins next March.

listings in Powhatan

Effective immediately, Richmond Suburban News will no longer publish weekly TV Today. We apologize for any inconvenience to will also be asked to step up this year as well. A new name to keep an eye on will be freshman Mazie Harmon, one of two freshmen along with Eva Crane to make the varsity roster. Head coach Cindy Bryant says Harmon has excelled in preseason

CROSS COUNTRY more Indians to the big stage to represent their school.It’ll be a competitive schedule for the Indians, but the coaching staff is conﬁdent that the bigger stages the team will see over the course of the season should bode well for their mental and physical developments as they prepare for a run into the state championships.“Withmany highly competitive invitationals on the schedule like the Adidas XC Challenge at the WakeMed Sportsplex in Cary, North Carolina and the Albemarle Invitational at Panorama Farms on UVA’s home cross country course, we feel the runners will be well prepared both mentally and physically to make a run at states at our regional meet in early November,” coach Paul SmartschanFirstsaid.on their calendar is the team’s senior night on Sept. 6-7, with the Indians hosting Thomas Dale, Monacan, Manchester in a home meet. In last year’s senior night, the team saw victories from Ian Timmons and Weimer and a second place ﬁnish from the boys, so it’ll be interesting to see what the Indians can do this time around on their home track. They’ll have plenty of time to prepare after senior night for the next two meets of competition that’ll see them travel to North Carolina for the Adidas XC Challenge on Sept. 17 that has a quick turnaround to a district meet at Pocahontas State Park on Sept. 21. Then, three days later, they’ll travel to Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg for the Oatlands Invite on Sept. 24, and get a nice break to practice before another district meet on Oct. 5 that’ll feature Midlothian, George Wythe, Huguenot and CloverThey’llHill.close out October with two more competitive meets, the Albemarle Invite at Panorama Farms on Oct. 8 and the Milestat Invitational at Pole Green Park on Oct. 15, and look ahead to their regional and state championship meets held in November.With the opening meet honoring the seniors fast approaching, the coaching staff is liking the early progress of the group in their early preparations.

FILE PHOTO

“So far everyone has been working hard and teaching and encouraging one another,” Smartschan said. “If they can keep up that level of unity and determination, the sky’s the limit with regard to their success over the next few months.” Today

Hollywood Baptist softball wins championship with walk-off

our readers.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Page 3BPowhatan Today, August 24, 2022

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Jonathan McNamara sits alongside spotter Chandler Fortune, a fellow Powhatan graduate. Timmons and Ian Timmons. Junior Owen Kerns and sophomores Caleb Edling, Ella Green and Elizabeth Weimer also return for their second seasons on the team. The team will look to replace the impact of Katlyn Foltyn, the lone senior from last year’s roster. With Weimer the lone runner to make it to states last year, one of the bigger goals is to improve those numbers and send even Continued from pg. 1

Continued from pg. 1

training with consistent numbers and is earning kills with her aggression andWhatpower.has impressed Bryant the most about her current team is just how much work every girl has put in to prepare for this season, citing how high attendance at extra training sessions has been and the efforts to develop “teamness” through bonding activities as highlights to the team’s offseason training.“These girls are demonstrating commitment far above any team I have ever coached,” she said. “They plan to keep this going and, if they do, it is going to produce somethingAlongsidespecial.” her assistant coach Jason Music, who Bryant credits with bringing tons of skill training and high volleyball IQ to the bench, as well as new junior varsity coach Lauren Schwartz, Bryant is excited with the short-term prospects of her current team and the long-term outlook of a program that continues to excel through team camaraderie and natural athletic development.

Continued from pg. 1 MCNAMARA with interest in breaking into sports media will reach out and want to learn in the booth with him the same way McNamara was able to learn on the job when he was in highMcNamaraschool. intends to approach the job from a neutral perspective, ensuring that he can make it a pleasurable experience for fans on both sides. “We all have our own styles and our own approaches, but for me it really started and ended with the professional nature of how (Wolf) approached it and also seeing ﬁrsthand how somebody really approached the job from really being fair to both teams on the ﬁeld,” he said.The job doesn’t end in the booth though. With a communications background dating back to his days as a student in the media relations department at James Madison University all the way to his current full-time job as the communications director at American Red Cross, McNamara is using his experience to make video features, news packages and game previews that’ll provide new avenues for fans to experience Powhatan athletics.

Continued from pg. 1 GEIMAN wife and I with open arms, and I can’t wait to get to work.”The two helped head coach Kristy Henderson lead an Indians team that made it to the state tournament for the first time in school history and finished with a 17-9 record. Now, Geiman will look to build up a basketball program that finished 6-14 and ninth in the Dominion District. He’ll have an experienced group at his disposal though, with the Indians returning all but one starter from last year’s team. Geiman brings experience as a coach and as a player to the sidelines for Powhatan, having played three seasons of Division III college basketball at Christopher Newport University. In his time with the Captains, he played in 72 games and scored 113 points and 65 assists at point guard, while also being part of the 2018-19 team that went to the school’s second Final Four in program history.

Continued from pg. 2 FIELD HOCKEY team All-Metro honoree, Campbell will likely be the engine that powers the Powhatan attack forward thisSeniorseason.

“It’s a good opportunity to get fans closer to the team and know some of the personalities that make Powhatan sports and high school sports in general so special,” he said. “This is my way of putting my personal touch and my personal approach to how I cover teams, and I hope fans enjoy it as they look out each and every week on what is happening around Powhatan football or some other sports on spinbringMcNamaraagainstteam’sSept.theseasonsleyballforofferingstartedMcNamaracampus.”hasalreadyonthatconcept,videopreviewsthefootballandvol-teamsbeforetheirgetunderway.Withhisﬁrstgameinpressboxcomingon1forthefootballseason-openerMechanicsville,isreadytohisownvoiceandtothejob. day. “I’m excited for the opportunity to teach the game I love in a community that has welcomed my

Gregg is someone that Tyson has praised for having a terrific summer, building on her previous season and showing a willingness to adjust her role for the good of the team. “She has continued to work hard and learn a new position as she moves to a more defensive role in center midfield,” Tyson said. “She does a great job of winning the ball on the defensive end and transitioning it to our midfielders.”Sophomore Caroline Camp, who stepped up in the team’s regional tournament run, is also someone to keep an eye on, coming back stronger and faster this time around as she looks to progress as a threat on the attack. There are certainly questions to be answered early with this Powhatan team, but with a balanced mix of veterans and newcomers, plenty of quality goal-scoring options at the forward position and a winning pedigree that’s followed the program as of late, it’s shaping up to be another solid season for the Indians as they try to make a run at the state tournament and a region title.

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More than 50 children received the school supplies they need for the new school year during a recent Unity Community Church –Powhatan service.

Contributed Report Countless organizations in our area are helping communities prepare for the 2022 – 2023 school year. Parents all over the Commonwealth are sharing the concerns of the rising cost of school supplies this year. Cavell W. Phillips, pastor of Unity Community Church –Powhatan (UCC), says while kids may be excited about the return to school, some parents may not be as excited, due to the increased gas prices and the price increases of school supplies. Families with children in kindergarten to 12th grade spend an average of $860 on school supplies this year. That’s a large amount for one or even two parents. This is the fourth years UCC has felt compelled to do our part to help. Cavell said; “we’re living out what we’ve read in Act 4:34-35 NLT, ‘There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them. And bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.’” We boldly confess: Instead of each person watching out for their own good, “we should ﬁrst watch out for what is better for others.”With the help of the church’s “Kingdom Komers” Ministry (5 to 11 years), Project 133 (12 to 21 years) and the adults we were able to “bless” over (50 kids) with all of the school supplies they needed during their “Morning Adoration Service” at 11 a.m. Followed by snacks to go! UCC stresses that “we rise up by lifting up others!” Unity Community Church – Powhatan, Virginia is now planning a community sing called: “Hearts ‘N’ Unity” concert, Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Powhatan Village Building. The event is free! For details call, 804-297-8903 or 804256-4411.

Page 4B Powhatan Today, August 24, 2022

Unity Community Church blesses students with school supplies

PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNITY COMMUNITY CHURCH – POWHATAN

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