Inside A3 BSH students get a taste for reading
Powhatan, Virginia B1 “All in” Indians book their ticket to states
Vol. XXXVI No. o. 19
November 9, 2022
Two boards discuss stop-arm cameras on buses By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – Powhatan’s top elected leaders last week discussed the possibility of launching a stop-arm camera pilot program on a small number of school buses to catch offenders putting children’s lives in danger and the ordinance change that would be needed to make it happen. The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors and School Board had a full slate of topics to discuss at its joint meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 1 (see additional story Page 4A), with some of the most active conversation surrounding the possibility of stop-arm cameras meant to capture video of drivers illegally passing stopped school buses with red lights flashing – commonly known as a stop-arm violation. In Virginia, like in every one of the 50 States, there is a law making it illegal to pass a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended that is stopped to load or unload students, yet Powhatan County has drivers that ignore this law, said superintendent Beth Teigen. Most recently, an incident at about 7:05 a.m. on Sept. 15 saw a pick-up truck ignore the stop-arm of a Powhatan County Public Schools (PCPS) bus while students were loading, making contact with the stoparm itself while illegally passing, she said.
The school board had previously discussed the possibility of exploring a pilot program that would put cameras on a few – possibly only one or two – school buses in areas where there have reportedly been repeated instances of violations. The goal would be to curtail drivers from going around buses that are stopped to load or unload students, she said. During the joint meeting, Teigen presented the issue to both boards along with a request for the board of supervisors to pass an ordinance that authorizes the locality of the school division to install and operate a video monitoring system or contract a private vendor to do so. At the end of a lengthy discussion, the board of supervisors informally agreed with head nods to bring forward the ordinance for consideration at its Nov. 28 meeting. An ordinance change requires a public hearing to allow the public to voice their opinions on the matter. If the ordinance were passed, it would allow the school division to contract with Maryland-based company Altumint to run a pilot program at no cost to the county to see if it is effective and should be more widely used. Owners of vehicles captured on camera illegally passing a school bus with the stop-arm out would receive a $250 civil citation mailed to them by the vendor with unpaid violations eligible for collections with up to a $100 additional fee, Teigen explained.
PHOTO COURTESY OF POWHATAN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors and School Board discussed the possibility of piloting stop-arm cameras at PCPS. On Sept. 15, a pick-up truck ignored the stop-arm of a Powhatan school bus while students were loading, making contact with the stop-arm while illegally passing and damaging it, shown above.
Many questions were raised by board members as well as a local resident speaking during the public comment period at the beginning of the meeting who was see BUSES, pg. 4
Leftovers host Spooktacular night PHOTO COURTESY OF PHS LEFTOVERS
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Powhatan High School, led by the PHS Leftovers club, held its first Spooktacular complete with activities for all ages, including an outdoor Halloween movie, bonfire, haunted trail and Trunk or Treat carnival. Left, club members meet on the morning of Oct. 29 to help set up for the event later that day.
By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – Seeing so many people at Powhatan High School and from the community come together to make the Spooktacular Bonfire become a reality felt like magic, organizers say. The new fundraiser for the American Cancer Society held on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the high school was hosted by the PHS Leftovers club, but it took so many more people than the club members to make it possible, said Christian Miller, Spanish teacher and club sponsor. “It was magic to see the community come out for a first-time event! So much fun! The amazing support we got before, during and after the event – honestly, it was so touching! These students worked so hard and it’s such a testimony
that hard work pays off,” he said. There was a big learning curve for the club to take on such a large event, which included a bonfire, outdoor Halloween movie, haunted trail and Trunk or Treat carnival. An event of that scale wouldn’t have been possible with only the PHS Leftovers club members and his co-sponsor, fellow teacher Amanda Wilson, Miller said. In addition to other student groups from the school participating, local businesses, churches and families helped with everything from movie rights to show “The Nightmare Before Christmas” to concessions to decorations and so much more. “I shouldn’t be surprised, but when so many people stepped up to the plate and took on pieces/elesee SPOOKTACULAR, pg. 3
Trick or Treat Halloween 2022
PHOTOS BY LAURA MCFARLAND
Above, Blessed Sacrament school mates Reese Bartlam, 5, front from left; Riley Lockhart, 6; Ellie Eyles, 5; and Lexi Lockhart, 9, trick or treat in Scottville on Oct. 31. Below, 6-year-old Kaisyn Walters accepts a prize from a pink gorilla while family Kailohni Hollifield, 4; Kinsleigh Bollinger, 1, and mom Windy Hollifield watch while attending the Harvest Festival and Trunk-oTreat at Powhatan County Fairgrounds. See more photos Pages 5A and 6A.
Heatwole hired as parks and rec director to grow program By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – Powhatan County announced last week that its Parks and Recreation Department will expand and build on the strong program it already has with the hiring of Megan Heatwole as its new director. Heatwole, who began work on Tuesday, Nov. 1, brings with her 11 years of experience in parks and recreation in three different localities as well as other related experience. Most recently, she worked for seven years for Lynchburg Parks and Recreation, first as the community recreation programmer and since 2017 as the community recreation supervisor. In her latest position, Heatwole said she oversaw recreation programming for ages
preschool through senior citizens, including overseeing a senior center and arts center as well as the main recreation center. Heatwole got her start in parks and recreation as a coordinator of Camp Staunton for the City of Staunton. She worked elsewhere in the country, including as a school age program assistant director in Colorado and an outreach coordinator while an Americorps volunteer in Nevada. While in Nevada, she also worked as a youth, teen and family programs coordinator for the Incline Village Parks and Recreation Department. “The bulk of my experience I got out of Lynchburg because I was given so much creative freedom to do things there. So I have quite a diverse range of experiences that I can see PARKS AND REC, pg. 6
MEGAN HEATWOLE
Powhatan Today, November 9, 2022
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR Wednesday, Nov. 9
Thursday, Nov. 10
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. Information on various offerings, activities and topics presented can be found on Facebook: Powhatan County Reach for Active Services. Call program coordinator Jayne Lloyd at 804-698-0438 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 through Overdrive 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 804-5985670 for more details, and like the library’s Facebook page for all the latest, up-to-date library news, information and program schedules. Powhatan County Public Library will hold a weekly Story Time on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Participants will read stories, sing songs, learn finger plays and more! Story Time generally meets in front of the fireplace, and occasionally in our outdoor space.
Business 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. 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 walkin Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, call (804) 598-5637.
Teen Anime Club will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8 at Powhatan County Public Library. Bring manga, notebooks, cosplays, or other projects to work on. We will watch a different anime each meeting. For local teens aged 13-18 (grades 6-12). Application required to join. Pick up one at the library front desk. 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.
Committee’s monthly meeting will be held on the second Thursday of every month at Rosa’s Italian Restaurant. Social time is at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 11
A Caregiver Support Group will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. the second Thursday of every month at May Memorial Baptist Church, 3922 Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan. Build a support system with people who understand. For more information, contact Jayne Lloyd at 804-698-0438. Visit alz.org/grva to learn more about caregiver programs and resources.
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. Powhatan Stars Cancer Support Group, formerly known as Powhatan Supporting the Alliance and Respecting Survivors (STARS), meets at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month at The County Seat Restaurant in the back room. The group is for survivors, caregivers and family members to listen and support each other. For more information, contact Sue Bird at 804-212-8651 or Patty Hicks at 804-375-3499. 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/ playlist?list=PL7_2QU VzrPXDpYsV2HY11CH8KB rluifyO. Contact Stephanie Romelczyk (sromelcz@vt.edu) for information on joining the meeting live. Watched or listened to VCE AG Today? Let us know how we are doing! Find our survey here: https:// vce.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/ SV_6fiYBb914AYRdn7. The original Powhatan AA meets from 7 to 8 p.m. every Thursday in the Powhatan Village Building. The Powhatan Rotary Club meets at 7:30 a.m. every Thursday at the County Seat Restaurant.
P.S. Don’t forget about our fundraiser $$Cash for Kennels$$. The purpose is to raise enough money to purchase new cages for our fur friends. We would also like to Thank Everyone who has contributed to this cause. If you would like to make a donation you can do so by dropping it off at the shelter located at 4000 Old Plantation Rd or mail to P.O. Box 133 ATTN: Animal Control. In the memo write $$Cash for Kennels$$. If you have any questions please call 804-598-5672.
If you would like to help the animals in our care, you can do so by donating to our medical fund at Claws and Paws, 4313 Anderson Hwy., Powhatan, VA 23139 Powhatan Sheriff’s Office | Division Of Animal Control Phone: 804-598-5672 | Fax: 804-598-5109
Powhatan Elementary School will hold its annual Veterans Day salute, “Thank you, Military” at 9:30 a.m., and local veterans are invited to attend and be honored. The fifth graders will be performing a schoolwide assembly for local veterans. Powhatan Middle School assistant principal Jon Ferguson will be the honored veteran guest speaker. Middle school band and choir members will also perform patriotic selections and the Powhatan High School JROTC will present the colors. Powhatan American Legion Post 201 is sponsoring a Veterans Day Program to be held at the War Memorial Cultural Arts & Community Center at 11 a.m. All veterans will be recognized at the event. Dr. Harold F. Young, former Vietnam MASH hospital surgeon and a renown neurosurgeon at the VCU Hospital, will be the guest speaker. For more information about Young, visit https:// neurosurgery.vcu.edu/about/ our-team/harold-f-young-md. html. Habitat for HumanityPowhatan will hold an Exterior Critical Repair Blitz on Nov. 11 and 12. Do you know someone elderly, or a veteran and or a homeowner with a disability on a limited income who has struggled to maintain the exterior of their home — dangerous steps, decking, rotted siding here and there? Habitat has a limited number of spots that weekend. Send contacts for who you are thinking of and Habitat can see if they are eligible for the program. Call 804-594-7009, ext. 2 or e-mail executivedirector@ habitatpowhatan.org. The annual Huguenot Springs Cemetery Veterans Day Candlelight Service will be held at 6 p.m. at 907 Old Confederate Cemetery Road, Midlothian, 23113 (northeastern Powhatan County). The memorial service is sponsored by the J.E.B. Stuart Camp #1343 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Huguenot Springs Cemetery Foundation. The service will be honoring all American veterans. There will be bagpipe music by David W. Hinton of the Virginia Scots Guards, a wreath laying ceremony and artillery salute by Knibb’s Battery. The speaker, Ken Wiseman, will represent the VFW and speak on “Service after Enlistment. The event is free and open to the public. Call 804-356-8868 if you have any questions.
Graceland Baptist Church, 975 Dorset Road, will hold a Family Movie Night at 7 p.m. featuring “Hotel Transylvania 2.” It is free and open to the public.
Powhatan County Branch NAACP will hold a Veterans Day Program at 11 a.m. at the Powhatan African American Cultural Arts Museum, Pocahontas Landmark Center, 4290 Anderson Hwy, Powhatan. Guest Speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Vera Rhyne with music by Brother Edward Foster.
Powhatan County Public Library will have Craft Time! From 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12 and Dec. 3. Elementary school aged children are invited to participate in this arts and craft program. Registration required. Powhatan State Park will hold a Volunteer Kickoff Even from 9 a.m. to noon at Shelter #1 in the park. Learn about volunteer perks and benefits and park projects and opportunities The day will also include an opportunity to meet
The Seeds of Hope Harvest Festival will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at The Venue at Orchard View Farm, 136 Baber Rd., Cumberland, VA 23040. Powhatan-based nonprofit, Together for Tanzania, hosts this fundraising event designed for families to enjoy a casual, fun-filled afternoon at this lovely venue while helping TFT to raise funds for the construction of Save Life English Medium School in southern Tanzania. The event is catered by Deep Run Roadhouse and music is by Willie De Trio. Games and activities will entertain both adults and children. At 2 p.m. special Tanzanian guests will speak, followed by a live auction of an 8-foot kayak and a lovely Lake Gaston home stay, four days/three nights. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit www. togetherfortanzania.org. The Fitzgerald Memorial Baptist Church’s Women on a Mission will hold a Holly Jolly Bazaar from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 14 Fitzgerald Road, Cumberland. Fitzgerald’s annual shopping extravaganza will have a little bit of everything, including locally made arts, crafts, homemade goodies and more. The women host the event to raise money for local missions.
Relay for Life South of the James meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of the month online. For more information, contact Pat Johnson at 804241-1161 or pjj804@icloud. com.
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.
Powhatan Christmas Mother Headquarters will be open on the following evenings for volunteers: Tuesday, Nov. 15 and 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit https:// powhatanchristmasmother. org/.
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. In November, volunteers are asked to arrive at 10 a.m. and the riding sessions begin at 11 a.m. Upcoming dates are Nov. 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.
Awaken to Hope 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.
The Powhatan Junior Woman’s Club meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month from September to May. The nonprofit volunteer organization is open to women over the age of 18. The club promotes friendship, community service and leadership. For information about the club, meeting locations or becoming a member, call Joy Matkowsky at 804-492-3038.
AA meets at 8 p.m. every Tuesday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Huguenot Trail.
A Grief Support Group meets from 10 to 11 a.m. on the second Monday of each
For subscription information or delivery questions contact:
Michelle Wall 804-775-2711
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The Beef Cattle Production 360 Discussion Group typically meets at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month. New members are always welcome to join if you are a seasoned beef cattle producer or just getting started. The group typically starts with a pot luck meal and are held mostly in-person on farms or at the Goochland or Powhatan Extension Offices. For more information, contact Rachel Henley at 804-598-5640 or rachelhenley@vt.edu.
Monday, Nov. 14
Powhatan County Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board meetings from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 15 and 29 and Dec. 13. Help plan and run teen programs, create library displays, suggest YA books and materials, and get volunteer hours. For local teens aged 13-18 (grades 6-12). Application required to join. Pick one up at the library front desk.
Powhatan AA meets at 8 p.m. every Saturday at Manakin Episcopal Church on Huguenot Trail.
Powhatan Fire and Rescue’s Junior Emergency Technician program meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month at different locations in the county. The program is free and open to 12- to 15-yearolds from all parts of the county interested in learning about their local fire, rescue and emergency services organizations. Applications may be picked up year-round at the fire administration office in the Village Building. Contact the office at 804-598-5646 or Sarah Zobells at szobell@ powhatanva.gov for this month’s location.
Graceland Baptist Church, 975 Dorset Road, will hold a Kids Night Out from 6 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 18. Call 804-598-3481 for information.
Powhatan Christmas Mother Headquarters will be open on the following evenings for volunteers: Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit https:// powhatanchristmasmother. org/.
The Powhatan County Public Library is spicing up the fall with its programming for adults. On Saturday, Nov. 19 at 10:30 a.m., the library will hold Gentle Beginner’s Yoga with Joanna Bartles. Participants will learn breathing techniques, postures and movements to relieve tension and tightness in muscles and joints. Bring a yoga mat or beach towel, and if able a firm pillow, block or towel for support. Bottled water will be provided. For details, contact Powhatan County Public Library at 804-598-5670 or library@ powhatanlibrary.net.
The RVAg Pop-Up Market Series at Fine Creek Brewing Company concludes with the event on Sunday, Nov. 20 from noon to 4 p.m. The event will include local vendors for your shopping pleasure. Sit on the veranda or out in the yard and sip on Fine Creek beer or cider and eat from their delicious menu.
Powhatan County Public Library will hold Brick Slayerz from 4 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21 and Dec. 5 and 19. This is a LEGO building club for 6-12 year-olds. Bricks and bases will be provided to attendees. A parent or guardian is required to stay with their child during the program.
A Powhatan Day of “Praying for Others First” will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 3910 Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan. For more information, call 804-2564411.
Unity Community Church will present its annual Unity Around the Table Thanksgiving Dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24 at 3910 Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan. The event is free and open to the public and includes food, family, fellowship and a toy giveaway. For more information, visit www. ucc4me.org or contact 804256-4411.
Passion Community Church will hold a Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 24 at its Powhatan Campus, 4480 Anderson Highway. The free meal will be held from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. ALL are welcome to join us at the Powhatan Campus for a Thanksgiving dinner OR stop by to pick up to-go lunches for your family! Spread the word and invite those you know who may be alone or unable to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. Your RSVP for dinner (or to pick up dinners) is most appreciated via the form on the church website, https://pccwired.net/ fall-events/, found under the Powhatan Campus list. Food donations are also welcome! Items needed include: turkeys, hams, dressing mix, instant mashed potatoes, green beans, and veggie trays. Drop off all donations at the Powhatan Campus. Interested in helping us prepare food? Complete the form on the church website and select the appropriate option. You can also RSVP. Contact Melinda Kinney at 518-429-9873 or melinda.kinney@pccwired.net.
Powhatan County Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board meetings from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 29 and Dec. 13. Help plan and run teen programs, create library displays, suggest YA books and materials, and get volunteer hours. For local teens aged 13-18 (grades 6-12). Application required to join. Pick one up at the library front desk.
Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Drama will put on a production of “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” with
Tuesday, Nov. 15
Habitat For Humanity Powhatan depends on volunteers and donors. Habitat is blessed with the community’s helpful and generous participation. The Habitat ReStore at 1922 Urbine Road will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The office is located upstairs at the Habitat ReStore and the office number is 804-594-7009, ext. 2. Call and volunteer. Help us at the ReStore, perform critical repairs and/or with our upcoming builds.
A Veterans Day service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 3 p.m. Join us as we honor all American veterans, living and deceased, who served this country honorably during wartime and peacetime. We will pray for our veterans, sing beloved hymns, read from the Bible and enjoy beautiful music played on the harp by our organist Betsy Brandt. St. Luke’s cemetery has over 40 service men and women interred, who served. During the service, we will honor each by reciting their names. If you have a family member who served in the military and would like their name to be mentioned, contact the Church Office 804-794-6953 or secretary@ stlukespowhatan.org) by noon, Thursday, Nov. 10.
law enforcement officer or paramedic killed during the attacks. A donation of $23 will cover the cost of one inscribed brick in honor of a first responder. To purchase a brick, visit www.bricksrus. com/donorsite/memorial911. Checks payable to Troop 3029 may also be mailed to Laura Baltz at 1510 Holly Hills Road, Powhatan, VA 23139. For more information, contact Baltz at 804-467-4313 or Ljbal65@aol.com.
month at Powhatan United Methodist Church. All are welcome to attend. This group is facilitated by Judy Cain-Oliver, licensed clinical psychologist.
Sunday, Nov. 13
Saturday, Nov. 12
The Powhatan Republican
Hey Guys my name is Franklin, and I am around 3 years old. I came in as a stray. I am super friendly, and honestly I am pretty clean in my kennel. I enjoy toys, and running around the yard. I also get along with other dogs. I know you are probable looking at my picture and thinking “Oh he is just a hound” Well let me tell you I will give you all the hugs and kisses you want. I will do everything I can to make sure my human is happy. If you are interested in meeting me Please call 804-598-5672 and Franklin the staff will be happy to assist in scheduling you a meet and greet.
park staff and friends group members; enjoy refreshments and several prize drawings for Powhatan gifts and apparel and participate in optional volunteer projects and/or an craft activity. Free parking for attendees. The rain date is from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13.
Upcoming
Girl Scout Troop 3029 is helping the Huguenot Volunteer Fire Department achieve a long-held goal of building a memorial to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 at the station. The Girl Scouts are selling 411 bricks inscribed with the name, rank and company of a firefighter,
see CALENDAR, pg. 6
Powhatan Today, November 9, 2022
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Blessed Sacrament students get a taste for reading
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BLESSED SACRAMENT HUGUENOT
Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Library Manager Barbara Rogers organized a “Book Tasting” event on Oct. 24 with fifth graders. The students were met at the door by Chef Rogers and taken to their Genre Tables. Each table held books from a certain genre – fantasy, historical fiction, adventure, mystery, etc. They were given five minutes to look at the cover, read the back summary and peruse a few pages. They recorded their impressions in their menu. They then switches tables to do it all again. They were then given a small tasting of desert to finish the class. This event is held to get the children to try out, or “taste,” different books that they might not otherwise pick up. Rogers said she repeated the experience with all the third, fourth and fifth grade students.
Angel Trees offer chance to give Contributed Report Powhatan has many Christmas elves and angels busy preparing to stock the Christmas Mother Toy and Gift Shoppe. Some of these helpers work at Christmas Mother Headquarters and are busy getting lists ready or wrapping gifts. Others are families and churches who have adopted families, children or seniors. A very popular and significant way to help Christmas Mother Kathy Ware lead this effort is by visiting an Angel Tree. Angel Trees can be found at the Powhatan County Public Library, Fine
Creek Realty, Walmart, Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School Front Office, and Toast as well as a Santa Tree at C&F Bank. Simply approach the tree and select an angel. Some have a definite item or clothing size while others will be open to your judgement for a particular age (such as Fine Creek Realty’s focus on elderly). Visit any of these but don’t delay! The deadline for each site is: Fine Creek Realty, Nov. 21; Powhatan Library, Dec. 5; Blessed Sacrament Huguenot, Dec. 5; Walmart, Dec. 7; Toast, Dec. 7; and C&F Bank, Dec. 2.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PHS LEFTOVERS
The Spooktacular Bonfire held Oct. 29 at Powhatan High School was hosted by the PHS Leftovers club but made possible because of support of other groups in the school and the community. The event included a bonfire (above), a trunk or treat carnival (photos below), a haunted trail and an outdoor move night.
SPOOKTACULAR Continued from pg. 1
ments of the event that needed supports, it felt like a family affair! It was beautiful,” he said. Because of that help, the club was able to raise about $4,000 to donate to the American Cancer Society as part of Relay for Life, he said. Senior Lexi Campbell, a Leftovers member, said she felt like the event really made an impact on the community with the large turnout but also because they brought people together for a cause through an event made for everyone to enjoy. “I loved all of it. I think that the heart that everyone put into making their booths, setting up and even the fire de-
partment for taking the time to come out and help us made it so special,” Campbell said. “I was surprised at how many young families showed up.” Senior Sydney Wade, another Leftovers member, said the event went very well overall between the trail frightening people, the bonfire providing a nice area of meeting new people, and the trunk or treat brightening the kids’ faces. “The trail was my favorite part because it brought together different groups of people who took on the scare. And hearing screams made it seem like everyone was having fun,” Wade said. “I was surprised at the amount of families that showed up and how everyone got along when there hasn’t been many events recently due to COVID.”
Dominion Energy will host an open house to inform the community of the Quillwort Solar Project. Please mark your calendars: Tuesday, November 15, 2022 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 5 Stone Church 2480 Academy Road Powhatan, Virginia 23139
Powhatan Today, November 9, 2022
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PCPS employees to receive one-time pandemic bonuses By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – Powhatan County Public Schools staff members will be getting a nice one-time pandemic bonus next month thanks to federal grant dollars set aside for instructional and support positions. During a joint meeting of the board of supervisors and school board held on Tuesday, Nov. 1, superintendent Beth Teigen explained to both boards that the General Assembly had authorized state and local Fiscal recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 to be provided to school divisions for one-time pandemic bonuses to instructional and support positions. The school board asked the board of supervisors to amend the county’s fiscal year (FY) 2023 operating budget to budget and appropriate $428,150.96 for these one-time pandemic bonuses. The entire amount
BUSES Continued from pg. 1
especially concerned about privacy. Many of those questions were addressed by Martin Plank, commercial director for Altumint, or Teigen. One of the key questions stressed by the board members was about the cost of the program. Plank said the company would install and maintain the cameras on the buses at no cost to the county, insisting it is a “violator-funded program” and “Powhatan County will never write us a check.” The cost of operating the cameras and processing any citations would be recouped through the civil fees, with the company taking a set amount each month and any amount over that fee going to the school division or county. As part of the pilot, Altumint would work with the school division and the sheriff’s office to determine which routes have seen a higher volume of reported incidents and try a camera there first. If a camera on a certain bus doesn’t generate the number of violations they were expecting, it may be moved to another route with complaints about stop-arm violations. However, the school division would not pay that fee if enough citations weren’t issued to cover it, Plank said. Plank insisted that while his company does make money on the program – as can the county in the case of a higher number of violations – the ultimate goal is for public safety and deterring drivers from taking unsafe actions around school buses and putting children and even their parents in danger. He said that “95% of the folks that get a citation, they never pass another school bus arm and
will use federal dollars and require no local funds. The supervisors approved the budget amendment unanimously during the joint meeting. The grant dollars provided for $1,000 bonuses to standards of quality (SOQ) positions, but since PCPS has significantly more employees than just the SOQ positions, the division decided it would be fairer to reduce the bonus amounts so they can be spread out more evenly. All permanent instructional staff will receive $625 (pro-rated for those less than full-time), while site and bus driver substitutes will receive $600 and recess monitors will receive $300, Teigen said. To be eligible, the employees must have been hired on or before Sept. 30, 2022, and still working as of Dec. 1, 2022. The bonus will be paid on Dec. 16 in a separate payment. Teigen said this was a critical gesture as “we continue to struggle with attracting teachers to the pro-
get another citation, so that is good.” “The goal of the program is to get the public aware of stopping in front of a stop-arm,” he said. “And we will educate the public. If they get a citation and they call into our customer service department, we will educate them on the law. For example, if there is a four-lane highway, some people don’t realize that you do still have to stop if there is not a median in between. So we will help educate them. We don’t want them to get another violation; we just want them to stop when that stop-arm is out.” Teigen agreed that the pilot is about changing behaviors permanently and making sure drivers learn to respect school bus safety. “A fine is nothing compared to taking a life, so you would hope that it would diminish,” she said. Addressing concerns about privacy, Plank said the camera activates when the stop-arm is deployed but “it will not capture anything but a violation that goes by that stop-arm.” The GPS information and time and date of the violation are recorded. When someone receives a citation, they are given a link where they can watch an eight-second clip showing the violation, he said. The information is purged after 90 days, information is encrypted and employees are finger-printed and checked ahead of hiring them, Plank continued. Additionally, certified professionals check the videos before the citations are issued and the sheriff’s office has to sign off on every citation, he said. The person to whom the vehicle is registered will receive the citation, but if he or she was not the offender, the company gives “the opportunity to do a
fession and attracting teachers to the classrooms and being able to retain those that we have, that we recognize the hard work of our staff with this bonus.” Other business handled at the joint meeting included: State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, and Del. Lee Ware, R-65, made their annual visit ahead of the upcoming General Assembly session to discuss the two board’s legislative priorities. The board members and state representatives went through the items on the legislative agenda to discuss the mix of new and old issues important to Powhatan citizens. Interim county administrator Bret Schardein walked the elected officials through the topics on the list and Hashmi and Ware took turns addressing how they have or intend to address those issues. Items on the list are the Green Ridge Landfill, which they said will continue to be an item until it is see LEGISLATIVE, pg. 8
transfer of liability to that individual.” “There is absolutely no picture of the driver – it is the license plate and the vehicle; that’s it,” he said. District 3 school board member Valarie Ayers was the first of several members on both boards to point out this citation isn’t even as harsh a punishment as they would like to see for stop-arm violators. But she also argued it is a deterrent and a chance to educate drivers. “My biggest point that I want to put across is, unless you are breaking the law, there is no picture, no record, no camera, and once you break a law, you lose your right to having your information private. You are a lawbreaker that could cost a child a life,” she said. Supervisor Bill Cox, who represents District 4, said he does not have an issue with the cameras, pointing out toll booths have been using them for years to fine people who drive through without paying. However, he said he is less interested in generating money than “really changing the behavior of drivers” and would prefer to involve the sheriff’s office, insurance costs and the court system. “What you are doing is very civilized,” Cox said. “I would like – teeth is the word that was used earlier and I like teeth in this kind of situation. So I am much more interested in something that is not dollar focused but is focused really on the problem. … If we’ve got a problem I want those people to really feel it because that is a nasty thing to do, pass a school bus.” Board of supervisors chair Mike Byerly, District 3, said he agreed he would like more teeth, but if they don’t support this program now, they go back
to what they have had, which wasn’t working. “I don’t want the time coming up when somebody says, ‘my child is dead.’ That is too late. That is on us. So I would support the program,” he said. Some of the discussion that surrounded the issue included either wanting to know what sheriff Brad Nunnally thought of the program or board members saying they had talked to him and heard it was an issue and this was a viable avenue to begin addressing it. Teigen said she did have a conversation with the sheriff before moving forward with the project to make sure he would support the program and how it works. Reached out to by the Powhatan Today after the meeting for his perspective, Nunnally said, “I’m not in support of speed enforcement cameras but would support the use of cameras on buses to photograph cars running the stop arm.” Toward the end of the discussion, District 1 school board member Rick Cole pointed out that the school board previously looked at installing and operating its own cameras but the bus drivers were reluctant to get involved with it because they would have to go to court and testify. School board chair Kim Hymel, District 5, said whether it was this program or another, the county needs to support bus drivers in their main mission, which is transporting students safely to and from school. Susan Smith, District 2, added that she hopes even having this conversation generates awareness among the public about sharing the road with school buses with safety in mind.
CHURCH DIRECTORY
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
SUNDAYS 8:00 AM in person service in the church 10:30 AM in person service in the church (livestreamed) www.stlukespowhatan.org All are Welcome For more information visit www.stlukespowhatan.org Route 711 at Three Bridge Road 794-6953
EVERGREEN COMMUNITY CHURCH (PCA) Proclaiming & Practicing the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Worship Service at 10:00 AM Meeting at 2210 Batterson Road, Powhatan. Pastor Nick Krauss ECCPCA.ORG
598-8844
Genito Presbyterian Church 2910 Genito Rd. Powhatan, VA
372-9074
Worship with us this Sunday Church service @ 9:30 AM Sunday school @ 10:30 AM
Providence Presbyterian Church
“Worshiping and Witnessing in Western Powhatan since 1825”
Powhatan Christian Fellowship Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Night 7:30 p.m. Worship Service 11:00 am All Are Welcome! 3308 Pleasants Road, 598-4970 1/4 mile off of Route 711 Located 1950 Ridge Road Russ Cress, Pastor (Rt. 627) 598-0733
St. John Neumann Catholic Church Sunday School 10 AM Worship Service 11 AM Pastor John Engle 603-933-0141 3540 Old Buckingham Rd. www.pmchurch.net
Meeting Sundays in Farmville, Fork Union, Midlothian, Powhatan and Online. Visit pccwired.net for services times & locations. 598-1174 pccwired.net
2020 Red Lane Road Powhatan, VA 23139
1801 Huguenot Trail Sunday Worship 10am Bryan M. Holt, Pastor 804-378-3607
www.EmmausChristianChurch.org https://www.facebook.com/2emmaus/
Rev. Walter G. Lewis, Pastor Living As Christ’s Disciples Within Our Hearts and Beyond Our Doors 2253 Rosson Rd.
Just off Rt. 13 in the Village
598-4438
Worship: 8:30 & 10:30am
www.powhatanumc.us Weekday Preschool (ages 2-5)
Mount Calvary Baptist Church Pastor, Larry B. Collins Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study 7:30 p.m. Office 804-598-2398
Advertise in
598-6090
Saturday - 5 p.m. Sunday - 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. 598-3754 www.sjnpowhatan.org Located behind Flat Rock Village Shopping Center
Church Directory.
Call 804-746-1235 ext. 2 for details.
Powhatan Today, November 9, 2022
Page 5A
Scottville revels in Halloween trick-or-treating
PHOTOS BY LAURA McFARLAND
P Powhatan celebrated Halloween b iin 2022 with trick or treating, fall o ffestivals, trunk-orttreat events and more around the m ccounty. Shown are families trick a or treating in o Scottville on Oct. S 31. 3
SECOND ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH 1059 Dorset Road Powhatan, VA 23139 Reverend Mark A. Divens, Sr. Pastor
Praise and Worship Service Sunday School 9:45-10:45 Sunday Morning Worship will begin at 11:00 a.m.
CHURCH DIRECTORY
Contemporary – 9:00 a.m. Sunday School – 9:45 a.m. Worship – 11 a.m. Children’s Worship – 11 a.m. 2095 Red Lane Road Praise & Worship – 6 p.m. Lighthouse Youth – Wed. 5:30 p.m. 1/2 mile off Rt. 60 on Red Lane Road Bible Study – Wed. 6:30 p.m. 804-598-2455 Children’s Worship (all ages) – www.redlanebaptist.org Wed. 6:30 p.m. Small Group Classes 9:00 a.m. Miracles of God Sp. Needs Service: Worship Service 10:30 a.m. 11 a.m. the 2nd Mon. of each month 598-3481 • 975 Dorset Road Dr. James Taylor, Pastor www.gracelandbc.org
Pastor Stephen Battaglia 2390 Emmanuel Church Road www.newwalkbible.org Sunday Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 9:00 AM Bible Study Wed. 7:00 PM 804-372-9254
Holly Hills Baptist Church www.HollyHillsBaptist.org
(Independent Bible Believing)
Randy Blackwell, Pastor Sunday School - 10:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship - 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7:30 p.m.
379-8930 1659 Anderson Highway 3½ miles east of Flat Rock
5680 Cartersville Road Powhatan, Virginia 23139 Pastor Gregory L. Beechaum Sr. “The church where Jesus is Alive” 9:00 a.m. ---- Sunday School 9:45 a.m.----- Prayer & Praise 10:00 a.m.--- Sunday Morning Worship 5th Sunday at 11 a.m. Hour of Power 7:30 p.m. ---- Tuesday Night Worship & Bible Study
804-375-9404
Hollywood Baptist Church “A Church Where Love Never Fails!” Pastor Otis B. Lockhart, Jr.
Muddy Creek BAPTIST CHURCH Baptist Church MOUNT ZION
2591 Ridge Road Powhatan, Virginia 23139 804-598-2051 Rev. Bryan Stevens, Pastor 10 a.m. – Worship Service 8:30 a.m. – Church School
Graceland Baptist Church Dr. Ronald Wyatt, Jr., Pastor
Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. Worship - 11 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study & Prayer Service - 7:00 p.m. Pastor Jeff Beard, MA, MBA 3470 Trenholm Road www.muddycreekbaptist.org
Advertise in Powhatan Today’s Church Directory. Call 804-746-1235 ext. 2 for details.
OLD POWHATAN BAPTIST CHURCH 3619 Huguenot Trail Powhatan, Virginia 23139 www.finecreekbaptist.org Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Worship Service: 11:00 a.m. Traditional Vern Gilmer, Pastor
2202 Old Church Road www.powhatanbaptist.org
“Your Community Church” 2901 Judes Ferry Road Powhatan, Va 23139 804-379-8223
Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. Morning Service at 11:00 a.m. Bible Study Every Wednesday Night at 6:30 p.m. 3964 Old Buckingham Road
Sundays 10:00 a.m. Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Experiencing the presence, power and person of Jesus Christ
Loving, Investing, Fulfilling, Empowering Senior Pastor Justin Wilson Sunday Service 10:30am 2410 New Dorset Circle www.Communitylifechurchpowhatan.org
FIRST ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH
Sunday 10am, 11am & 6pm Wednesday 7pm
3920 MAIDENS RD., POWHATAN
804-598-2301
Evening Bible Study 7:00 p.m.
Service times are 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Worship online at 10:15 a.m.
Family Worship Center
598-2763
Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Service 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Mid Day Bible Study 11:30 a.m.
Brad Russell, Pastor 598-4241
Travis L. Keith- Pastor Church Office: 794.7054 1530 Cook Road (Rt. 636)
www.glbcpva.org
Just Across from South Creek Shopping Center!
Powhatan Today, November 9, 2022
Page 6A
As night falls Trunk-o-Treat at fairgrounds comes alive
ILLUSTRATION METRO CREATIVE/ PHOTOS BY LAURA MCFARLAND
A great crowd came out to attend the Harvest Festival and Trunk-o-Treat at Powhatan County Fairgrounds, which included a dance party, haunted house, hay rides, games, food and plenty of chances to get candy.
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Continued from pg. 1
bring from Lynchburg to Powhatan County hopefully,” she said. Deputy county administrator Will Hagy said Heatwole’s creativity stood out during the interview process. In the time she was in Lynchburg, the city’s program went “from very little programming to such creative programming” that ran the gamut of everything you can imagine falling under a parks and rec umbrella, he said. “It was youth athletics but it was also music, theater and events, wellness and senior programs. We got a real feel for Megan’s ability to reach out to the community and get a sense of where the desires lay and then just approach that feedback with a real creative mind. It was pretty impressive,” he said. The Powhatan Parks and Recreation program is already doing a great deal, especially with youth athletics, and Hagy sees Heatwole helping to both continue those programs and expand on them. County staff knows to do that, there needs to be a conversation with the county’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Board of Supervisors to determine how those programs and new initiatives could be brought forward and what kind of staffing it would take to do it, Hagy said. “I think Megan has some creative experience in that realm, too. Lynchburg City was finding creative ways to not only run programs but also to staff programs, so we know that is a conversation that will be coming,” he said. Heatwole said she moved to the area both to work for the county and to be closer to family. “My sister actually just moved to Powhatan County with her family, so they are very excited for Auntie Megan to be here to plan fun pro-
CALENDAR
from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 3. It is free and open to the public.
Continued from pg. 2
CONNECT:
performances at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 3 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 3 in the school’s gym. The play is based on the story by C.S. Lewis. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
VISIT:
WWW.ASKWOODFIN.COM/propane
Graceland Baptist Church, 975 Dorset Road, will hold its annual Christmas Drive Thru
grams for them.” Heatwole said she was also drawn to Powhatan because it borders the James River. In 2017, she became involved in the James River Batteau Festival, an eight-day festival that involves historical boats and their crews, which are inspired by the shallow draft river craft used to transport goods in the 1700s and 1800s, floating from Lynchburg to Powhatan. “So I do have community connections here through those boat crews and captains that are based out of Powhatan,” she said. Regardless of whether she got the job, Heatwole said she planned to reach out to the parks and recreation department to increase the Powhatan presence in the festival when the boats come out of the water at Maidens Landing. “In terms of event planning, when you are looking for a signature event for your community, you want to find something that is unique, and this is a unique festival that happens nowhere else in the world. So that is something personally near and dear to my heart,” she said. “But for me, what I see as success is getting the feedback from the community and giving what they want – implementing the activities, programs and events that they want in their community.” Hagy said there is no set plan or timeline on how the parks and recreation department will grow under Heatwole’s leadership as he sees that as the first work they will do together. She will begin meeting with the different youth league sports leaders to learn about the strong programming already in place and draw from their knowledge. She will also meet on Nov. 15 with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, whose members will help county staff project into the future in the “short, middle and long terms in Powhatan County,” Hagy said.
Powhatan County Parks and Recreation will offer a free Introduction to Pickleball session from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Pocahontas Landmark Center Gym, 4290 Anderson Highway. The event is for adults ages 18+ and is free for Powhatan
County residents only. It will be taught by Linda Scott, a certified IPTPA instructor and USA Pickleball District Ambassador Virginia Central District. If you have your own paddles, bring them with you. Proper shoes and attire required. Participants must register and sign a waiver. Contact 804-598-5275 or see CALENDAR, pg. 7
How do you honor veterans for Veterans Day? E-mail answers to editor@powhatantoday.com or share them on the Powhatan Today’s Facebook page.
November 9, 2022
Page 7A
The joy of seeing mastery of a craft up close By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
A
ttending the International Quilt Show in Houston last week was sensory overload in the very best way. Although experienced vendors and attendees said it wasn’t as large as shows before the COVID-19 pandemic changed life as we know it, it was still an amazing gathering of people making up every corner of the quilting industry and a little beyond. I attended the show with my mother and two sisters, who all live in Houston. My oldest sister doesn’t quilt, but she has an amazing ability to talk my middle sister and mom into making quilts for her, and, despite all protestations to the contrary, she did it again right before my eyes not 20 minutes into arriving on Saturday. Walking the show in its entirety, you better be wearing comfortable shoes. One huge hall was filled with hundreds of vendors selling products ranging from huge longarm quilting machines that cost more than my car down to the smallest thimbles and everything in between. We did more perusing than purchasing, but even that is its own form of entertainment as you see what new and creative ways people have found to innovate in a craft that stretches back hundreds of years. Even beyond shopping, there were a number of nonprofits attending the event to garner support and
participation making quilts for veterans, cancer patients, underprivileged people, disaster victims and more. One of the aspects of quilting I have loved since I started a few years ago is the caring and giving spirit people bring to the craft, whether it is making quilts for NICU or nursing home patients, quilts for those who have lost everything in a flood or hurricane, or personalized pillowcases for patients staying in the hospital. Comfort quilts and projects are usually a huge part of any group or guild, and that speaks to the traditions passed down through generations. But if there had to be one aspect of the show that stood out the most, it would be the quilt displays in the second hall. Divided up into sections, there were displays by different groups, loans from museums and private collections, and juried submissions from all over the world. As I walked the hall looking at the hundreds of quilts on display, I was reminded of everything I loved about the craft and what it can do and be. There were quilts so realistic it looked like a photograph until you leaned in over the tape and could see the detail of the threads. One quilt of a derelict building had moss growing on the roof and the multiple tones of aging wood all given such textural detail I was astounded. As with any art form, there were quilts with a message. A display called “Deed Not Words” featured art quilts in a touring exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. The
quilts honored suffragettes such as Martha Wright, Ethel Williams, Frances Watkins Harper, Lucy Burns and Charlotte Woodward Pierce – all of whom represented new names and stories to explore. In the “Graffiti Cherrywood Challenge” display, artists focused on the graphic beauty and intense colors of graffiti. Everything from homages to the Mona Lisa to bees to calls for peace, hope and love were represented in brilliant, neon colors you could see from across the room. In an astonishing “Micropiecing: 200K” display, a series of 21 miniature quilts focused on the traditional Pineapple block done on a small scale, with the total number of pieces reaching 201,751. Nearby, a best of show winner received a $12,500 prize for her quilt, “Beyond Reason,” appropriately named because the piece count in her quilt filled with tiny little detailed blocks totaled 226,576. Then there were the stunning landscapes, astonishing profiles, incomprehensible abstracts, traditional historical patterns and so much more. For someone with only the most basic of skills I would equate the experience of standing in front of some of those creations to a paint-by-numbers painter wandering around The Louvre or a little leaguer attending the World Series, which appropriately enough would end that night down the street in Game 6 with the Astros beating the Phillies. Quite simply, it was pure joy. Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@ powhatantoday.com.
L E T T E R S TO T H E E D I TO R Coalition grateful for support of Moose Center Dear Editor, On behalf of the Coalition of Powhatan Churches, I would like to thank the Powhatan Moose Club for their donation to the Powhatan Food Pantry as well as to our regular account. We are most grateful as our work load has increased for the past two years. It is because of the donations of our concerned citizens, businesses, organizations and churches that we are able to meet the needs of our clients. Thanks so much to our community for keeping us in their minds and hearts. It is our honor to serve our people here in Powhatan. Patsy Goodwyn Director of the Coalition of Powhatan Churches
Citizen concerned bus cameras will invade privacy Dear Editor, I appreciate the work of bus drivers who daily transport students to school and extra-curricular activities. According to documents provided by PCPS, last year there were 21 school bus accidents or incidents. The largest threat to school buses seems to be those pesky mailboxes. Because buses often turn around in tight spaces, it is inevitable that sometimes mailboxes are hit. It happens often enough to have a line item in the budget for mailbox replacement. Of the 9 accidents that were considered major, 3 were caused by wildlife, 3 were the fault of the PCPS bus drivers, and 3 were caused by other drivers. In the first 6 months of 2022, 3 mailboxes have been hit, bus drivers have hit poles at the gas pump 2 times, and a rock hit the windshield of a school bus. None of these
CALENDAR
to be announced. 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: heartofvirginiabeekeepers.org.
Continued from pg. 6
mshelton@powhatanva.gov.
Powhatan County Public Library will have Craft Time! From 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Elementary school aged children are invited to participate in this arts and craft program. Registration required. The Heart of Virginia Beekeepers plans to meet Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Prince Edward County Extension Office, 100 Dominion Dr., Farmville, VA 23901 next to Lowe's. We are planning to hold elections and our annual holiday dinner, so bring a dish to share. Details
incidents were serious and no students or drivers were injured. Becky Boswell, the previous assistant director of finance, states in the 2021 loss report, “PCPS drivers do an excellent job transporting our students.” Despite this good track record, the school board is proposing an agreement with the private company Altumint that would place cameras on the outside of buses. I have attempted to contact Altumint on 3 occasions requesting a copy of their privacy policy and asking questions about the proposal. My request was denied. I asked: Where will the images be stored? For how long? Will encryption be used when the images are transmitted? Are the employees of Altumint required to obtain licenses from the Department of Criminal Justice Services? I have not received the courtesy of a reply. Citizens deserve to have these questions answered before any step forward. Altumint’s website notes that it collects and profits from “autonomous visual intelligence.” Like Big Brother in the novel “1984,” Altumint will collect information on private citizens without their consent and use that information for their own profit. Reasonable safety precautions and efforts that truly prevent problems are important, however this technology will not stop accidents from happening. Cameras do not stop deer or smaller animals from crossing roads. Cameras cannot stop moving vehicles. Cameras are not a prevention tool, they merely record what happened. This proposal does not even charge those few individuals who do pass school buses illegally with a moving violation. The company Altumint would be authorized to issue a civil fine, collect it, and send a kick-back to PCPS. The citizens of Powhatan elect a sheriff to enforce our laws, a treasurer to collect taxes, and a board of supervisors to appropriate spending. We elect a school board to oversee the education of children. The proposed plan would allow the school board to usurp the authority of the other elected officials. It would remove checks and balances. This initiative is not at all
Powhatan County Public Library will hold Read 2 Rover from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7. Would you like to gain confidence in your reading skills and have fun? Sign up to read to a certified therapy dog! Reading sessions are 15 minutes per child. A parent or guardian must stay with the child while they read. Register through the library website, http://www.powhatanva. gov/247/Powhatan-County-Public-Library, or by
8460 Times Dispatch Blvd., Mechanicsville, Va 23116 Phone: 804-746-1235 Toll Free: 877-888-0449 Fax: 804-344-8746
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about student safety. It is an attempt by the school board to obtain and spend funds without proper oversight. More answers are needed before taking the step to enter into a contract with Altumint. I ask that the school board withdraw this proposal and focus on educating students, not spying on citizens. Sincerely, Jacqueline Anderson Powhatan
Middle school clubs a distraction from academics Dear Editor, I write to express my disappointment in the Powhatan School System as a result of last week’s story on the Middle School roll-out of a variety of clubs “to engage students.” Has anyone at the school system acknowledged the fact that our students have lost in excess of one school year’s learning as a result of COVID? And, that Virginia had one of the greatest drops? Are they aware that the United States’ students have fallen behind a huge number of other nations, especially industrial nations? And yet, the school is spending precious school-time letting the students “explore” (read as “play”) at such critical career-enhancing/ life-enhancing activities as Fantasy Football, memes, Legos, Kindness Club, etc… Really? They sell this waste of time as developing interests. When I was in middle school (junior high,) these were called extracurricular activities and were pursued after school. We need to focus on math, science, English, reading and writing. Stop this politically-correct, nurture-signaling and educate our students for success, not entertainment. I guess I should feel good that at least CRT was not listed (at least yet.) Mac McGinty Powhatan
calling 804-598-5670.
one at the library front desk.
Teen Anime Club will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8 at Powhatan County Public Library. Bring manga, notebooks, cosplays, or other projects to work on. We will watch a different anime each meeting. For local teens aged 13-18 (grades 6-12). Application required to join. Pick up one at the library front desk.
Powhatan County Public Library’s Middle Grade Anime Club will meet from 4 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9. Bring manga, notebooks, cosplays, or other projects to work on. We will watch a different anime each meeting. For local children aged 8-12. Application required to join. Pick up
Come join us for the Powhatan Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting on Dec. 10. Parade lineup starting at 1 p.m. with the parade starting at 3 p.m., the parade route is along Old Buckingham Road, from Mann Rd to the Courthouse area. There will be vendors in the Courthouse area beginning at 1 p.m. and Santa will be available for Christmas wishes and pictures. The Tree Lighting will be held in the Village following the parade. Applications can be found at www.PowhatanChristmasMother. org or by contacting the Parade committee at PowhatanChristmas@gmail.com Hope to see you there!
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.
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.
Powhatan Today, November 9, 2022
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LEGISLATIVE Continued from pg. 4
stopped or moves forward; reimbursement for the local share of the Department of Social Services administrative services as the state share is discontinued halfway through the fiscal year; reimbursement for the cost of no excuse absentee voting, which can cost anywhere from $25,000 to $40,000 (per director of elections Karen Alexander); removal of the requirement to report absentee results by precinct, which is a costly and exhausting requirement for localities without having any local benefit; increasing Powhatan State Park staffing, which Ware said has been approved; funding future phases for the state park’s master plan; addressing the issue of unfunded mandates, which put a great burden on the localities; having a consistent Code of Conduct for Special Education for all participants in IEP and special education meetings that is in writing and shared with all IEP meeting participants at the annual IEP meeting; and removing the support staff cap that was “implemented during the Great Recession as a means of saving the Commonwealth needed funds to weather that crisis and it has remained in place since that point,” according to the board documents. The boards received an update on the Education Connection Trail, which Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, successfully secured as part of a House-passed fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations package. Safety concerns were raised after the trail was officially announced, specifically because the original design saw the trail connecting behind Powhatan Elementary School. Schardein presented the board with an update on the new trail, which the county is preparing to issue a request for proposal (RFP) to build. The trail will go from the YMCA to the back of the school complex and loop around to the soccer fields. Concerning security, Schardein said there will be physical barriers to the areas closest to the school to discourage people from taking that route. He said the signage would make clear that they were leaving the public trail and entering school property at those divergences, thus making them subject to trespassing charges. Schardein added that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), acknowledging concerns about both erosion and people walking along or beside Mann Road, has agreed to donate materials to improve culverts for erosion as well as create a gravel path on the east side of Mann Road, “which would create a true and complete loop around in the Fighting Creek Park,” Schardein said The county is finalizing the bid packet, which will go out in December, and hopes to select a winning bid in the beginning of the year, he said. Schardein also provided an update on Judes Ferry Road and Route 60 intersection improvements. He spoke about intersection improvements that were funded through the SMART Scale program several years ago to lengthen the existing turn lane on east-
bound Route 60 into the turn onto Judes Ferry as well as add an additional left turn lane to avoid stacking, especially in the peak morning hours. It would also construct an additional through lane on Judes Ferry to Batterson Road to add additional capacity. “That was progressing well. Unfortunately SMART Scale projects take some time, and from the time when we submitted our application with the cost estimates to where we are today in the design phase of it, due to inflation costs primarily, the project has gone up by $1.1 million,” Schardein said. The cost difference can be funded by the board of supervisors or the county could look for alternative funding methods, he said. The board already agreed to fund the difference, but since the funds aren’t due until July 2024, Schardein pointed out the county has time to look for those alternative methods. Schardein added that the area of Route 60 between Judes Ferry and New Dorset roads has been identified as a troubled or potentially troubled intersection. VDOT proposed a restricted crossing u-turn (RCUT) configuration there to follow the turn lane improvement. That project is currently up for consideration for SMART Scale. Teigen told the boards the school division has received additional state funds in the amount of $425,440. The school division’s plan is to use these to offset the unanticipated increase in fuel and transportation costs. The school division is purchasing fuel on a month-by-month basis to avoid being tied into the extremely high prices at the beginning of the year. The prices are subject to the fluctuations in the market, good or bad, which is a change from previous years, she said. During the FY 2023 budget process the BOS was made aware of potential school construction funds. These funds were not budgeted at the time as the amount was not yet approved. The amount of school construction funds the schools will receive is $1,794,013. There are various ways to use these funds. The staff requested guidance on what the anticipated use will be in order to properly appropriate the funds. The schools also included an HVAC project in the FY2023 CIP for a total of $750,000, where the county would match 50%. The grant amount was $375,000 and school capital maintenance reserve would be used for the match. The school division was actually awarded a full $750,000, but the county would need to match $750,000. This would make the total project of $1.5 million. Teigen said the staff needs direction on where the additional $375,000 county match will come from to appropriate these funds. The boards talked about both large and smaller projects, including HVAC improvements, especially in relation to projects that were done previously through collaboration with TRANE. The board has never received a full update on how the energy savings program changes done through TRANE are resulting in savings. It was requested again last week not only for information but to help future boards make better decisions.
The boards discussed the county’s revenue stabilization fund, which was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide an extra layer of protection through additional reserve funds and using funds contributed by both the county and savings from the school division. The board of supervisors voted in a split 3-2 vote earlier this year to eliminate the fund and have the money in it designated as part of the general fund. Teigen pointed out the school division continues to have needs where the funds that the school contributed could be used, such as facilities services wage increases, safety needs improvements, a comprehensive facilities study to assist with long-range planning and instructional needs. The school board would like some of the funds contributed to the revenue stabilization fund to come back to help with those needs. Supervisor Karin Carmack, District 5, said the excess moneys used to create the fund, if they hadn’t been used for that purpose, would have been earmarked for the school board’s capital maintenance reserve fund and not just to increase the operating budget. She also pointed out that the board of supervisors made up a close to $2 million shortfall of funds not received from the state for the operating budget. School board chair Kim Hymel, District 5, said the school board needs $50,000 for a comprehensive facilities study to determine the state of the buildings. School board member Rick Cole, District 1, said his “heartburn” was the board of supervisors’ not discussing how the revenue stabilization funds would be spent or the elimination of the fund despite the school board contributing a large amount to it. He added the school board shares the supervisors’ concerns about rising costs. Supervisors Bill Cox, District 4, and David Williams, District 1, concurred with Cole’s assessment of the agreement between the boards and that the two boards have a great deal of work ahead of them to get through the times ahead with unknown costs and issues. Steve McClung, District 2, said he agreed with the comments and emphasized the need to work together. Board of supervisors chair Mike Byerly, District 3, agreed the boards should be looking at their needs with a long-term view and having open dialogue about ways to work together. He also emphasized the challenges that both the county and the schools face ahead with unknown costs. The boards discussed the school division’s savings carry-over from fiscal year (FY) 2022. At the time the board packet was created, the school division expected to have a positive fund balance of $23,004 that it was asking the supervisors to roll into the next year’s budget instead of putting in the capital maintenance reserve. Updated figures received last Monday show the amount is actually $5,852. The discussion on this item turned into a brief discussion regarding how much the school division had received in federal funding and how it has been used. Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@ powhatantoday.com.
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November 9, 2022
Powhatan, Virginia
Page 1B
“All in” Indians book their ticket to states By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor
O
ne year after the Powhatan field hockey team fell to Patrick Henry, the loss hung around in the minds of the Indians well into the 2022-23 season. In fact, it was very much on their minds as they faced the Patriots on their home field in the Region 4B regional semifinals with a chance to take a spot in this year’s Class 4 state tournament. With revenge on their minds, and assistant coach Caryn Rehme issuing a challenge that the team
come to the game with an “all in” mentality, the Indians made a statement, dominating every facet of the game en route to a 3-0 victory on Nov. 1 that guaranteed them a spot in the state tournament. “I think we’ve been working toward this game since we lost to this team last year at home, and all of our seniors were so affected by the loss that our mentality since then has been building up to this game,” sophomore Erica Krauss said. “It felt really good to win. Everything we’ve worked for the past year has just come together.” Krauss had a spectacular performance in the
semifinals matchup, including a second half effort that saw a goal that featured her usual top-of-the-line stick skills after she received the ball back after starting a corner and delivered a shot into the net for a 3-0 lead with 10 minutes to play in the third quarter. Before that, Emily Reimondo was the star, scoring the first two goals to help take the two-goal lead. Krauss also played the role of playmaker when she wasn’t driving into the circle, setting up teammates like Lexi Campbell and Caroline Camp that gave the Indians quality chances PHOTO BY ROBBY FLETCHER to add to their three-goal Powhatan sophomore Erica Krauss (13) scores a goal against Patrick see FIELD HOCKEY, pg. 2
Henry in the Region 4B tournament semifinals on Nov. 1.
Three Powhatan Knights outlast Broadwater 30-18 runners heading to By Nick Vandeloecht cross country state championship for Powhatan Today
S
By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor
On a beautiful fall day at Pole Green Park, the sounds of Queen’s “We Are the Champions” drowned out the excited celebrations of cross country athletes from across the 4B region that booked their tickets to the state championships. Three of those runners came from the Powhatan Indians, who saw sophomores Elizabeth Weimer and Ella Green alongside junior Sean Seibel deliver excelsee CROSS COUNTRY, pg. 2
PHOTOS BY ROBBY FLETCHER
Junior Sean Seibel (left) and sophomore Ella Green (right) join teammate Elizabeth Weimer as states-bound cross country runners for Powhatan.
easons come and go, but one element has remained constant for Blessed SacramentHuguenot Football: the players’ sheer commitment to coaches Gary Brock and Patrick Winterrowd’s demanding conditioning regimen. “Pretty much the first whole hour of practice is running,” said BSH junior running back Hunter Case. “We run really, really, really hard in the summer, so we’re conditioned going through hot days. It makes you more resilient.” The Knights’ endurance helped them persevere through a rare 80-degree November afternoon as they denied the Broadwater Academy Vikings 30-18 to get back to the state championship game for the second straight year. “It’s terrific. The kids have worked well togeth-
NICK VANDELOECHT/POWHATAN TODAY
Blessed Sacrament Huguenot’s David Mann (85) pressures Broadwater Academy quarterback Logan Hickman (5) in the Knights’ home playoff game versus the Vikings on Nov. 5 in Powhatan County.
er,” Brock said while adding on this year’s program: “It’s a different team...the makeup is just so different from last year. Last year we kind of had a good two years (together) with COVID and everything. This year we’ve had to try to fill in and glue them into those spots and
so forth, and they’ve really come together and they’ve allowed us to get as far as we are right now.” Against Broadwater on Saturday, it was a Knights’ stampede on the ground as Case, Will Fichter, quarterback Afton Harrow and Kendrick Sheffield combined to run for
254 yards. Once they established their continuity in the game with a spark from Nathan Barras coming back in at center, the Knights were hard to contain. Case led the charge, muscling his way to 128 see BSH, pg. 2
Indians volleyball’s season ends in region quarterfinals By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor
After a stellar regular season, the Powhatan volleyball team saw its year come to an end earlier than expected in the Region 4B tournament. Entering the postseason as a five-seed, the Indians kicked off the region tournament with a
convincing 3-0 victory over the Henrico Warriors on Nov. 1, but fell days later to Courtland in three sets to end their season short of a state tournament appearance. The Indians were in control of the battle with the Warriors from the first serve, with senior Olivia Moss scoring the winning point of a 25-13
first set on a long rally that saw senior Sydney Wade set up multiple teammates while the Warriors desperately tried to keep the play going. “We were challenging the team to make some key skill improvements in tempo of play and location of attack as we look to advance in post-
season play,” Bryant said. After winning the second set 25-11 and the third set in a similar fashion, the Indians rode a great deal of momentum into a matchup against the Courtland Cougars, who they’ve faced in three of their last four postseasons. The team had prepared for the postseason
by making multiple changes to key players’ roles on the court, with Bryant saying the team was confident with the lineup they had put in place entering the regional tournament. “We have actually made one last final adjustment to our lineup as we head into the postseason in an effort to im-
prove the strength of our block and increase termination at the pin,” Bryant said. “This adjustment is looking fantastic in practice.” Ultimately, the Cougars, who hold an impressive 13-1 regional record, proved to have the better day in the quarterfinals matchup on Nov. see VOLLEYBALL, pg. 2
C&F C&F BankBank’s AthleteAthlete of the Week of the Week VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR
WHO: CHARLIE POTTER WHAT SHE DID: Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot volleyball player Charlie Potter had a stellar outing in the team’s exciting win over Banner Christian, which went all the way to five sets before the
Knights came out on top. Potter, a junior, led the way with 10 kills in the five-set meeting, while also recording a team-high 19 digs. After Banner Christian took the opening set 25-18, BSH completely dominated the second set in response, winning 25-8 to tie the game up heading into the third set. After the Bearcats edged out the third set with a 25-22 win, the Knights found themselves on
the ropes in the fourth set, and were able to extend the match to a tiebreaker fifth set after winning 25-17. That fifth set went right down to the wire with a 15-13 Knights win. The Knights moved to 7-13 on the season and 6-8 in their region, defeating the Bearcats twice this year.
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Page 2B
Powhatan Today, November 9, 2022
Middle school Indians capture Southside crown Contributed Report Powhatan Today
The Powhatan Middle School soccer team had another successful fall season and captured the Southside Middle School crown once again, They beat Mecklenburg Middle School 3-0 on Oct. 27 to take the title. After a small set back during the regular season, the young Indians were able to rally the rest of the year with some impressive performances, including one match against a very talented team in Collegiate Middle School. Head Coach Willie Miles appreciates his team’s progression throughout the season and says he is excited for the future of the program as he and his reliable assistant coach Jessica Minnix develop the younger players to potentially play at the high school level. “This team was committed to improving as a team from the start and they were a blast to coach,” Miles said. “I, of course, can’t wait to see what the young men do when they get up to my staff and I at the high CONTRIBUTED PHOTO school program, but I am also excited that our talented ladies continue onward as well. The future con- The Powhatan Middle School soccer team won the Southside Middle School championship in a 3-0 tinues to be bright for Powhatan soccer as a whole.” win against Mecklenburg on Oct. 27.
Red zone woes hurt Powhatan in loss to Cosby By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor
Entering their season finale matchup with the Cosby Titans having lost their last two games, the Powhatan Indians tried to get back on the right track as they approached the postseason. Despite plenty of highlight moments through the air in the passing game and some timely defensive stops, the Indians (6-4) struggled to finish red zone drives with touchdowns while the defense couldn’t get off the field in the final minutes of the fourth quarter as the Titans (5-5) ended their season with a 22-16 home victory on Nov. 4. “We’ve got to figure out a way to score touchdowns, and we’ve got to find a way to get off the field on third down defensively, and until
FIELD HOCKEY Continued from pg. 1
lead. Junior Casey Grell, who helps control the middle of the field as a do-it-all presence for the Indians, says the team was well aware of the implications of a loss beyond just redeeming a tough defeat. “Our coaches said to us before the game that this is it, if we lose it’s the end of the season, so it was just all in for everything,” Grell said. With so much on the line, the Indians stepped up
VOLLEYBALL Continued from pg. 1
4. Winning three straight sets, the four-seed Cougars won on their home floor to advance to a semifinals matchup with the top-seeded King George Foxes.
BSH Continued from pg. 1
yards, three touchdowns and a 2-point conversion on 26 carries. He notched his first score of the day when he exploded off the blocks and barreled 31 yards to the end zone late in the first quarter, giving his team a lead it would never relinquish. “Our run game is basically our trademark,” Brock said, adding that when their offensive line is clicking. “I feel like we can play with anybody.”
PHOTO BY ROBBY FLETCHER
Powhatan wide receiver Matthew Henderson makes a leaping catch on Powhatan’s opening drive in its 22-16 loss at Cosby on Nov. 4.
we do that then we’re not a very good football team,” Powhatan head coach Mike Henderson said. After the Titans opened up the scoring with a touch-
down drive that chewed over eight minutes of clock, the Indians offense managed to move the ball effectively into Titans territory thanks to the arm of quarter-
back Dylan Trevillian and pass-catching contributions from Matthew Henderson, Ben Whitver and Oscar Whitely, but three red zone drives ended in field goals
and never seemed in doubt of their own ability to control the possession battle and spread the ball around to turn good chances into great ones. “We’re such a close team [that’s] not getting mad at each other, and that’s been helpful for us,” Chloe Holt said of the team’s chemistry. Two days after their semifinals win, the Indians faced the Atlee Raiders in a highly-anticipated rematch of their 2-1 win over the Raiders on Sept. 29. This time, the Raiders got their own version of revenge,
winning in a 1-0 defensive battle to take the regional crown. Though the defense and goalie Mackenzie Halfon did well holding the Raiders, and Campbell and Krauss led the team with some quality chances, the Raiders were able to break through with the gamewinning goal with 7:48 left in the third quarter. Despite the loss, the Indians will get a chance at taking the state crown with a tournament-opening matchup against Great Bridge (14-3) on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 3 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
While not the desired postseason result, it was a strong season overall for the Indians, who will see the loss of a senior class that helped elevate the team to a 14-8 record on the season. Now, rising seniors Grace Hayden, Madalyn
Johnson and Natalie Hintz will look to fill the shoes of the seniors that helped lead the way for this year’s Powhatan team. Robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@ powhatantoday.com.
lent performances that will allow them to represent their school on an even bigger stage. Weimer, the lone states representative from last year’s team, showcased just how far she’s come as a runner with an incredible improvement from last year’s run that placed her in seventh with a time of 20:13.50. This time, Weimer placed eighth, but her time was even better, crossing the finish line at 19:59.80. Weimer, who admitted to dealing with nervousness and self-imposed pressure on herself as a freshman, says she’s improved both mentally and physically from last year, largely in part because she’s de-emphasized clock-watching and focused on enjoying the sport.
Harrow added a 5-yard third-quarter rushing touchdown, a 2-point conversion run and two impressive rushes outside of his score: a 13-yard run on fourth down to keep their first scoring drive alive, and an 11-yard dash in the second half where he broke two tackles to knife his way up the middle to the Vikings 15-yard line. Whenever Fichter touched the ball, the first down was all but assured as he turned eight carries into 77 yards. Fichter also ran in a 2-point conver-
sion. While the Knights surrendered two late touchdowns and a 69-yard passing score by Broadwater in the second half, the defense was relentless early on to keep the Vikings from establishing momentum and allow the Knights offense to amass a 30-6 lead with 5:50 to play in the fourth quarter. “Our defense in the last few ballgames has been outstanding, and they’ve allowed our offense to get cranked up and get going,” Brock said. “They’ve set us up
with some great field position and they have done an outstanding job.” Jeb Hatfield was especially hard to shake. The BSH senior flew after the ball carrier no matter who it was to rack up 10 tackles, including three for loss. He forced third and fourth downs multiple times and joined teammate Nathan Roberts in forcing a turnover on downs. “Jeb’s one of those kids that you tell him once and he knows exactly what to do, and he’s been playing for a number of
Continued from pg. 1
by Connor Bates, and the Indians held onto just a 9-7 lead going into the fourth quarter. Henderson says the team’s struggles finding the end zone on a short field can be attributed to a lack of success in the ground game, something the team has been trying to figure out and improve on during the losing streak. “We have to run the ball better,” Henderson said. “The field shrinks down there so they can press our receivers a bit more. They don’t have to worry about the vertical part of the game, therefore we have a harder time throwing the ball. Because we can’t run the ball well, that’s where it starts.” With just under eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the Titans took the lead with a drive that fea-
tured two fourth-down conversions and an eventual red zone score of their own on a fade in the corner of the end zone that gave them a 15-9 advantage after a 2-point conversion. A strong Omaree Morris kickoff return to the Powhatan 43 gave them ideal starting field position after that, but a Trevillian interception across the middle killed the momentum, while the Titans were able to kill just under six minutes on the clock and add another touchdown to put the game away despite a late-game touchdown near the goal line from Whitely bringing the score closer at the end. The Indians now hold the No. 8 seed in Region 4B and will travel to No. 1 Dinwiddie (10-0) in the first round of the playoffs on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.
“I’ve really forced myself to take the pressure off and not worry about certain times or certain goals,” Weimer said. “I’m just trying to enjoy running and not get caught up in my times.” This is Weimer’s third appearance in states, with two coming from cross country and one from indoor track. While this will all be familiar territory for Weimer, the experience of making it to states is brand new for Seibel and Green. Green, who placed 13th with a time of 20:34.60, says all her training this season has been leading up to this moment, and after just barely missing out last year, she can now focus her attention on the unfamiliar territory of competing for a state championship. “I was just really hoping to make states, that
was my goal going into it, and I’ve been training all season,” Green said. Seibel, meanwhile, says he favors the hillheavy Pole Green Course, one he’s done multiple times over his running career at Powhatan. “I like hilly courses, so I like this one,” Seibel said. Like Green, Siebel has come close to a states bid before, but in his junior year, he finally achieved the elusive feat with a time of 17:14.40, good for eighth place. “I feel great. Running is really my only main sport so I love it, and I’m doing it again next year,” Seibel said. Now Seibel will prepare for another hilly course alongside his two teammates in the Class 4 cross country state championships at Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg, Virginia on Nov. 12.
years. He’s like a quarterback on defense. He’s all over the place,” Brock said. “Sometimes it’s at linebacker, sometimes it’s at defensive back, but he can track them down. He’s got good speed, good instincts.” In order to win a second consecutive Virginia Independent Schools Football League Division II state championship, BSH - featuring several returning players whom Brock said “are just as excited now” for this finale as they were for last year’s title contest - will have to
go through Brunswick Academy, who a couple weeks prior edged out the Knights 27-20. “We kind of shot ourselves in the foot in that ballgame, [but] we entertain going back against them,” Brock said. “They’ve got a good team, [but] I feel like we match up with them, so as a result, we’re really looking forward to this. This will be a big challenge.” The state championship game will be played at the Dinwiddie Sports Complex on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.
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Privacy • Chain Link • Vinyl • Aluminum • Split Rail • Custom Wood • Board • Farm Fencing & Repair — FREE ESTIMATES — lawsonfencing@netzero.net Licensed & Insured
Roofing Standard Roofing Co.
Residential • Commercial • Industrial
(804) 492-3335
Roofing Services
Southside Virginia’s Oldest Storage Shed Manufacturer 1627 Anderson Hwy, Cumberland VA 23040 *Pricing Online www.buggytop.com buggytop18@outlook.com Like us on Facebook 804-492-4444
FOR FAST, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE, CALL TODAY!
(804) 598-1049
Tree Service
B&W TREE & YARD WORKS, LLC Licensed & Fully Insured for YOUR Protection FREE Estimates
Painting
Tree & Stump Removal • Leaf Removal • Yard Work Hauling - Mulch, Gravel, Stone Brenda & Wayne Sharpe
home - 804.561.6113
Free Estimates!
cell - 804.714.7777
email - rsperlingpaint@aol.com
Licensed & Insured
Office: 804-598-3931 Cell: 804-938-9940
Water Treatment
Sales • Service • Installation • Water Heaters • Attic Fans
All Makes All Models All Brands Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. 2421 New Dorset Terrace 804-598-7260 Powhatan, VA 23139
Financing Available Free Estimates Senior Discount
clodfeltersheatingandair.com
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING Call Dorton Bros., Inc. to schedule a FREE Estimate on Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating Systems. Ideal for homes, garages and additions. Financing available!!
804-561-6400 dortonbros@tds.net Class A Contractors * Licensed & Insured
A/C • Heat Pumps • Gas & Oil Furnaces • Duct ~ Proudly Serving Our Customers For Over 33 Years ~
SERVING CENTRAL VIRGINIA WITH QUALITY WATER FOR OVER 36 YEARS!
Pet Sitting Lida’s Pet Sitting Peace of Mind When you can’t be there LICENSED • boNDED • FULLY INSURED
• Equine Care/Plant Care • Exercise/Play • Personalized Attention • Medications • Single or Multiple Visits
LIDA PROFFITT Home 598-5448 Cell 305-3285
Learn more of our efficient and safe water filtration systems.
Free Water Testing Call us at 804-598-6359 or visit us at certh2o.com