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Thursday
May 19, 2011
NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County
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Contributed Photos
Lord Cornwallis, above, and Dolly Madison, left entertain visitors at Tuckahoe Plantation May 9 during the Capital Region Exchange tour of Goochland County. More than 40 visitors spent the day traveling Goochland from the east end to the west, courtesy of the Goochland County Chamber of Commerce and Goochland County.
Capital Region Exchange members get the grand tour of Goochland County By Luz Lazo Media General News Service
Goochland County Administrator Rebecca T. Dickson proudly showed off the beauty of her county in a tour May 9 along scenic state Route 6 from Tuckahoe Plantation west to Rassawek Vineyard as part of the Capital Region Exchange, an event initiated by the Greater Richmond Chamber to showcase outlying counties. The Goochland County Chamber of Commerce (GCCC) and Goochland County volunteered to kick-off this new initiative. County and civic leaders last week welcomed the group in an exchange of ideas and discussion about the challenges and opportunities as Goochland embarks on an effort to develop an economic development strategic plan. “We are here and we have some great things,” said Dickson. “Typically people focus in Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield (counties) and the city, and for Goochland, Powhatan, New Kent and Charles City (counties) to be considered part of the region, I think it is a good thing so we can start talking as a group about really what’s going to work for the region.” The more than 40 visitors riding on two buses got a taste of Goochland. They learned about the historic
courthouse, built in 1826, the economic value of West Creek, and the desire to make Courthouse Village more of a village. They sampled meats from Nadolski’s Butcher Shop and wine at Rassawek. Kim Scheeler, the chamber’s president and CEO, said the trip offered an opportunity to learn about Goochland and the challenges it faces. “It is all part of getting the region to work together,” he said, noting the chamber — which in the past generally represented Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfield and the city of Richmond — last year expanded to include the counties outside the immediate Richmond area. The group will visit New Kent, Charles City and Powhatan in the coming months. Goochland, they learned, is blessed with 40 miles of James River frontage, but a railroad that runs along it presents challenges for economic development and public access. As the county looks at economic development opportunities, it sees West Creek, the home of Carmax, Capital One and the Virginia Farm Bureau, as a good asset and an area with opportunity for expansion and improvement. “One of the challenges is balancing the economic development with the rural character of the county,” Dickson said. She said she hopes the visit will “lead to us being considered as being part of the overall region.
Westview on the James plans festival Contributed Report
Westview on the James, United Methodist Camp and Retreat Center located on 800 acres besides the James River, announced today that it will be hosting a 5K Race and Music Festival on June 4th, 2011. The event, which will include musical guests like A Good Natured Riot and The River City Band, was developed in an effort to raise money for Westview’s Annual Fund. Westview on the James serves over 1,400 children each summer. According to John Edwards, Camp Director, “Every dollar donated helps enrich the quality of the Westview experience and brings us closer to reaching our mission of helping children and youth affirm, grow, and live in their faith daily.” In addition to the 5k and Music Fest, White Hawk Music Café will be selling food for the event. “It has always been our goal to reconnect our community with our rich musical heritage, amazing history, and the vast beauty of our land,” said Terry Hazelton, Owner of White Hawk and musician himself. The Westview 5k and Music Fest will be held on June 4th. The race will begin at 10am and music will be rocking the Shalom Farm at Westview between 11am and 7:30pm. Those who are interested in taking part in a music jam can also bring their instruments down to the River Shelter to play between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. The Cost of the race is $15 and the cost of the music Fest is $15, or you can do both for $20. (Music festival tickets will also be available at the door for $20 on the day of the event.) Lawn chairs, blankets, and small coolers will be permitted. Alcohol anywhere on Westview is prohibited. For more information, visit http://www.westviewonthejames.org and click on the link in the lower right-hand corner titled “Westview 5k Music Fest June 4th” or call the camp office (804)-457-4210 and ask to speak with Blanton.