OPINION State Fair of Virginia
EDUCATION PHHS Memorial Brick ceremony set for Nov. 1
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Vol. 5 No. 5 | Richmond Suburban News | October 16, 2019
Bowles to make sure Schools’ transgender policy, Christmas is for all or lack of, topic of discussion By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
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OSWELL — Sometimes, the best way to judge the success of a charitable program is by the number of smiles displayed on the faces of those receiving the services. For the past 31 years, the Doswell Ruritan Club has put smiles on the faces of thousands of Hanover County children by providing Christmas for kids who might otherwise not enjoy the joys of the season through their Christmas Mother program. In what has become the county’s first sign that Christmas is
around the corner, a group of previous honorees and program supporters gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Flippo in Doswell last Wednesday to name this year’s Christmas Mother. Carolyn Bowles, a lifelong Old Church resident, was selected to head this year’s project at the holiday-themed event that has become a Hanover tradition. “I am truly honored to be chosen by the Cold Harbor Ruritan Club in which my husband, Joe Bowles, is a member, to serve as the 2019 Hanover Christmas Mother,” Bowles said before the group of previous recipients gathered for a group photo. Each year, one of the county’s Ruritan Clubs is tapped to select the Christmas Mother, and this year’s task fell to Cold Harbor. The Christmas Mother program is supported by all Hanover Ruritans. “I have always loved doing for others. That is what makes me the happiest,” Bowles said. “Therefore, helping with this non-profit program helps bring Christmas to underprivelaged families in Hanover County.” She cited a long
CAROLYN BOWLES 2019 Hanover Christmas Mother
see CHRISTMAS, pg. 5
One speaker to HCSB: ‘Something must be done’ ASHLAND — There is no policy regarding transgender students in the Hanover County Public Schools Code of Conduct. In such cases, the system follows state guidelines regarding access to bathroom and locker rooms, a policy that allows students to use bathrooms based on their sexual designation noted on a birth certificate. A group of parents is urging Hanover County School Board members to change or amend the policy in an effort to disallow transgender students from accessing locker rooms or changing areas not associated with their anatomic gender. According to one of the parents, an unidentified Hanover County Public Schools student -- who is transgender and identifies as a female -- is utilizing changing facilities designed for girls. Several of those parents took advantage of a public comment period at the Oct. 8 school board meeting to voice their concerns.
FEMA grant: firefighters will hit streets sooner By Jim Ridolphi for Ashland-Hanover Local
Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
Kathy Rector also spoke against allowing transgender student to use female locker room at Tuesday’s meeting.
“I would like to speak on the subject of forcing middle school girls to change clothes in the presence of a biological male,” said Kathy Rector. “I am confident that the people who are advocating this arrangement believe they are doing so in an effort to help one young person ...” she continued. “Any sense of fairness would lead rea-
HANOVER -- Thanks to a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant, Hanover Fire-EMS will be able to place a dozen new firefighters in badlyneeded service areas ahead of schedule. The Hanover County Board of Supervisors approved a five-year plan to hire the additional fire personnel, but the funds from the Fed allows Chief Jethro Piland to hire those employees early and provide additional service for county residents. The Mechanicsville Station is the busiest fire station in the county with the largest amount of calls last year. Piland said the division’s goal of responding within nine minutes to 80 percent of the calls received will be more attainable with the new employees. The federal grant provides 75 percent of the salaries and benefits for the first two years, and 35 percent the final year of the grant. The grant totals about $1.37 million
see TRANSGENDER, pg. 12
see FEMA, pg. 5
Ashland Harvest Run/Walk to be held on Saturday Staff Report news@mechlocal.com ASHLAND – For 16 years, the GFWC Ashcake Woman’s Club has been holding the Ashland Harvest Run/Walk. This year’s race is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19.
The race departs from Carter Park and weaves through Ashland, past Randolph Macon College, and along the railroad tracks. The race offers both a 10K run and a 5K run/walk. Both courses are certified and timing chips are used.
The 10K starts at 8 a.m. and the 5K starts and 8:10 a.m. Participants can register online at www. AshlandHarvestRun.com. Proceeds from the race benefit The ARC of Hanover and the Ashland Volunteer Rescue Squad.
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Memorial Brick ceremony set for Nov. 1 Olde Time Holiday Parade participants’ responses needed Staff Report news@mechlocal.com
ASHLAND – Since 2012, a Memorial Brick Ceremony has been conducted on the grounds of Patrick Henry High School in Ashland. This year’s dedication is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1. The PHHS Memorial Brick Program, which is affiliated with the Hanover Education Foundation, is a memorial garden to honor former alumni, faculty and staff of the Patrick Henry community. According to Addison Jones, the project was launched
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This file photo shows the 260 bricks that have been added to the Memorial Garden since its inception in 2012. The bench was added in recent years. A Memorial Brick Ceremony will be held on Nov. 1 at Patrick Henry High School in Ashland.
in 1999, with the first ceremony being held in October 2012. “Once a year, a dedication ceremony is conducted at the Memorial Garden,” Jones said. “Bricks engraved with the name of the individual and class year are placed by family members, classmates, or friends.” Jones added, “Bricks can be donated for any deceased student or faculty starting with the first graduating class in 1960. At this time, there are 260 bricks in the Memorial
Garden. The memorial garden was expanded in 2017-2018.” The cost is $75 per brick with the check made payable to Hanover Education Foundation (HEF) and mailed to 200 Berkley St., Ashland, VA 23005. For more information, contact Margaret Hill at 804 365-4560. Hill is the executive director of Hanover Education Foundation. Fifty bricks for alumni and faculty were dedicated on Nov. 2, 2018.
Strategies for healthy aging program at AARP meeting Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com
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Ashland-Hanover Local October 16, 2019
ASHLAND -- Active Aging – “Still Climbing, Not Over the Hill” – will be presented at the Oct. 29 meeting of AARP Chapter 5335. The Chapter also will present “Getting to Know AARP in Hanover County.” The program will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center at 500 S. Center St. in Ashland. People from across Hanover and Ashland will gather at the free event to learn smart strate-
gies for healthy aging. Included on the agenda are: Speakers on nutrition. Preplanning for final arrangements. Alzheimer’s disease. Blood pressure screening. Flu Shots from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. A free light lunch provided, along with exhibits, door prizes and flu shots (bring insurance cards). This event is free, yet space is limited so RSVP by calling Apphia Downing at 804-7981373.
Staff Report news@mechlocal.com ASHLAND — Responses are needed by Friday, Oct. 25, to take part in the Olde Time Holiday Parade, which is will be presented by the Kiwanis Club of Ashland on Nov. 24. This year the club will celebrate the 50th tradition with Santa Claus coming to town the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The parade is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. About 100 entries normally make their way along the parade route. In order for the Kiwanis Club to complete planning, those wishing to join in the festivities are encouraged to respond to the emails that were sent out the second week of September. The parade route follows Snead Street along Thompson Street to England Street then turns down Henry Street and ends at Archie Canon Boulevard. Organizations that have not participated in the past but would like to be consider for this year’s parade may apply at https://www. s u r v e y m o n k e y. c o m / r / AshlandParade. Adding entries after the lineup has been established is difficult and may prove impossible. For more information, email ashlandkiwanis@gmail. com.
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Ashland-Hanover Local October 16, 2019 3
SHERIFF’S REPORTS
V E T E R A N S
D A Y
IN MEMORIAM
| Crime, Accidents, Fire & Rescue
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2019
In honor of a loved one on Veterans Day. We love and miss you.
Carol, Jake and Robert
Honor the memory of your loved one who served in our U.S. Armed Forces with an In Memoriam notice. Your tribute will appear in our special Veterans Day section, Sunday, Nov. 10.
To order your In Memoriam notice, call 804-643-4414 today. A photo of your loved one or a special symbol may be included with your notice. Your In Memoriam notice will appear in full color Sunday, Nov. 10. You can also request a 5"×7" keepsake remembrance plaque of your loved one’s In Memoriam. Submit your notice no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, for inclusion in this section.
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Ashland-Hanover Local October 16, 2019
Sept. 13
Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 8400 block of Atlee Road, Mechanicsville. ID theft ID to defraud, $200, was reported in the 11000 block of Greenline Court, Mechanicsville. Possession of Schedule I and II controlled substance in the 100 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville. Failure to appear on felony charge was reported in the 7500 block of County Complex Road, Hanover. Embezzlement, $200, was reported in the 6600 block of Cold Harbor Road, Mechanicsville. Possession of Schedule I and II controlled substance was reported in the 6500 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike/Brandy Creek Drive, Mechanicsville. Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported in the 10300 block of Sliding Hill Road, Ashland. Unlawful purchase or possession of alcoholic beverage was reported in the 6300 block of Tammy Lane, Mechanicsville.
Driver did not report an accident with damages, $250, in the 7200 block of Edgeworth Road, Mechanicsville.
DWI, first offense, was reported in the 10000 block of Sliding Hill Road, Ashland.
Possession of Schedule I and II controlled substance was reported in the 6200 block of Madonna Road, Mechanicsville.
Under 21 illegally consuming alcohol was reported in the 7100 block of Ellerson Mill Circle, Mechanicsville.
Under 21 illegally consuming alcohol was reported in the 12000 block of Ashcake Road/Melton Road, Ashland.
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reported in the 16600 block of Mountain Road, Montpelier.
Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported in the7100 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike/Kenmore Drive, Mechanicsville. Breaking and entering into structure to commit larceny and assault was reported in the 9900 block of Lickinghole Road, Ashalnd. Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 6300 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville. Driver did not report an accident with damages, $1,000, in the 7400 block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville. Possession of marijuana, subsequent offense, was
Possession of marijuana, subsequent offense, was reported in the 16600 block of Mountain Road, Montpelier.
Petit larceny shoplifting was reported in the 6600 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.
Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 7500 block of Walnut Grove Road, Mechanicsville.
Slander and libel were reported in the 8800 block of Thornetop Court, Mechanicsville.
Unauthorized use of vehicle, boat or animal was reported in the 14400 block of Stone Horse Creek Road, Glen Allen.
Ashland Museum upcoming events Staff Report news@mechlocal.com ASHLAND – The Ashland Museum has some special events scheduled in the coming weeks. Today, “History Talks” will present Lynda Wright, an associate professor and head of Technical Services in the McGraw-Page Library at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland at 7 p.m. at the Ashland Library. She will discuss “Desegregating RandolphMacon College: Research through Oral History.”
The program is free of charge and open to the public. The history, architecture and families of some of Ashland’s historic homes will be the topic of “History Talks” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Ashland Library with Rosanne Shalf and Lorie Foley. The program is free of charge and open to the public. A guided walking tour of Richmond’s “Trail of Enslaved Africans,” will be held on Saturday, Nov. 23. For more information, and to register, go to ashlandmuseum.org.
FEMA Continued from pg. 1
during the three-year period beginning in March 2020. “I want to talk specifically about the Mechanicsville District,� Piland said. “In the Mechanicsville District in 2018, our men and women responded to just over 4,000 9-1-1calls.�Just in the Mechanicsville District, our men and women are running between 16 and 18 calls a day.� Piland said fire officials studied that area and “carved out a new proposed district to enhance services and provide relief on the existing staffing.� That zone in the Lee Davis Road area will be the home to a future Station 17, but the firefighters will be hired long before that plan is finalized. Had the proposed district existed in 2018, it would have responded to more than 2,000 9-1-1 calls. “If you approve this grant, we will be able to hire these folks and place them in service on or about August 2020. Our plan is to temporarily house them at Station 7 in Mechanicsville until we can finish the budgetary process and plan and build a future fire station,� Piland said. “In essence, what I’m doing
CHRISTMAS Continued from pg. 1
list of contributors who make the program a success each year. “Donations from our Hanover friends, local businesses, civic clubs, churches, and canned goods collected by our citizens and school children go toward meals, clothing, toys, gift cards, and the financial and emotional support that these families need to celebrate a truly special holiday season,� Bowles said. Last year, the program delivered 950 boxes of canned goods to 466 families, and more than 1,250 children were helped through the program. In addition, the project supplied gift cards to 85 seniors and disabled citizens. Total
Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
Hanover Fire-EMS Chief Jethro Piland, above, said a FEMA grant would allow his department to hire a dozen firefighters and have them on the job by August, 2020 ahead of the previously approved five-year plan. At right, deputy dounty administrator Frank Harksen said the formation of the new Broadband Committee will include two supervisors and five appointed members. The panel is expected to hold its first meeting early next year.
is leveraging fire years of staffing and fast forwarding them . . . putting them in service in August.� The additional firefighters were previously budgeted to be installed during the next five years, but the grant will allow them to begin their employment next year with no additional cost to the county.
“The way I’m understanding is that, with this, we get the firefighters at the same cost over five years that we already had planned,� HCBOS chair Canova Peterson, Mechanicsville, asked. “We will bring on board the 12 positions that are funded in our five-year plan . . . all at once,� Piland responded.
cost of the program in 2018 was almost $110,000. “I am extremely happy to be part of this,� Bowles said. Hanover County Public Schools provided more than 10,000 canned goods for the effort in 2018, and will be participating in this year’s effort as well. Bowles worked as an administrative assistant in the library at Stonewall Jackson Middle School for 36 years until her retirement in 2010. She was named Support Employe of the Year in 2009, and is a member of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church where she sung in the choir for many years. Bowles and husband Joe have one son, Joey, who lives in Bon Air with has wife Janice.
While the next few months will be busy for Bowles with appearances throughout the metro area scheduled and a ride in the Mechanicsville Christmas Parade, her normal routine finds her relaxing at her Sunnyside home. “I enjoy reading, love music and dancing, and most of all sitting in my gazebo outside surrounded by nature,� she said. “I also love playing with fur babies Benji, my 17-yearold Cairn terrier, Ava Marie my kitty cat and my African Grey parrot,� she added. For many years, Bowles raised AKC Dachshunds and Pugs “which brought me much joy.� The Hanover Christmas Mother program was started in 1951 by the Doswell Women’s
South Anna supervisor Wayne Hazzard clarified that these positions previously existed in the five-year plan and funds had been approved and budgeted. “With this grant we bring it forward early at no extra cost to us,� he said. “In the meantime, our citizens get better response,� Peterson said. Supervisors approved the grant by a unanimous vote. In other matters, assistant county administrator Frank Harksen updated the board on its mandate to establish and form a broadband committee Club and expanded each subsequent year until it became too burdensome for the small club to handle. Franklin Jones is a member of the Doswell Ruritan Club and has been involved with the Christmas Mother Program since 1989, and serves at this years chairman of the Food Committee. “This is our 31st year of sponsoring the Hanover Christmas Mother,� Jones said. “Other Ruritan Clubs come in and help us. This is an all volunteer effort.� For more information and ways you can help this year’s effort, contact Franklin Jones, 804-876-3644, or submit requests to Hanover Christmas Mother, P.O. Box 39, Doswell VA 23047.
to study possible solutions that would improve internet service
in under-served portions of the county. Last month, Beaverdam supervisor Bucky Stanley called for the committee’s creation after several citizens addressed the board regarding the need for such a panel. Harksen said he studied similar programs in other localities and suggested two board members serve on the panel along with five appointed members with expertise associated with the subject such as IT or GPS mapping. The two board representatives will be chosen next month and the panel should hold its first meeting in January 2020 and provide a report to the board by January 2021.
PLUMBING, HEATING & COOLING
@ 7pm D E W
THU @ 7pm
m FRI @ 7p
AT @ 4pm
S @ 7pm T A S
pm SUN @ 2
Ashland-Hanover Local October 16, 2019 5
OPINION
CALENDAR
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First state fair proved to be worth the wait By Laura McFarland Richmond Suburban News hen your first visit to the Virginia State Fair starts with seeing a calf take its first steps, you know you are going to have a good time. Despite telling myself for the last seven-plus years I have lived in Virginia to make it to the state fair, it never happened – until this year. The timing worked out for me to finish work and head up the road to Caroline County on Sept. 30 joined by my friend Rachel, who was visiting from North Carolina. In addition to being a Monday night, it was a rainy evening, which some would see as a problem. We saw it as an opportunity to avoid the crowds. Literally the first thing we saw as we entered the state fair from the press parking lot was a newborn calf that was about 90 minutes old. Housed in a tent focused on cows and their importance to society, it took a minute for Rachel and I to understand what we were seeing. The mother cow was still passing the afterbirth and connected to her offspring by the umbilical cord. As it moved around, taking its first steps and grappling with all of the sights and sounds of its new world – complete with the paparazzi-like onlookers snapping its picture – the mother cow was trying to lick evidence of the calf’s arrival into this world from its fur. It was an awesome introduction to an event that is part carnival and lights and part agricultural celebration. Without a map to guide us in the beginning, our first pass through of the state fair was just about soaking it all in. I loved seeing the bales of hay decorated like different scenes, hearing the giggling screams of the children on the kids’ rides, and smelling the first tantalizing whiffs of the fare the
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fair had to offer. Before long though, we had a map and were heading with purpose to the fair’s Main Stage to watch the Xtreme Chinese Acrobats perform acrobatics, juggling and tumbling feats with hula hoops, pots, furniture, and more. Their flexibility and balance, combined with the precision with which they work, is amazing to watch, and I marvel at the skill they must have honed over many years in their young lives. After the show, we had a destination in mind but were waylaid by Hilby the Skinny German Juggler Boy, whose style of street performance and comedy had Rachel and the woman in front of her in such hysterics that the woman’s husband kept looking at them and shaking his head. He was a one-man show who did it all – from juggling fire to eating off a sword while balancing on the top of a unicycle, all while poking fun at Americans, Virginians, and Germans at the same time. “He was really an exceptionally talented man,” Rachel said, while laughing as she remembered his act. Once his show was over, we headed into the Farm Bureau Center to the competitive arts exhibition. The biggest attraction in there for me was the quilts, both because that is an art I am very passionate about learning right now and because I knew at least one person who had entered her quilts. But while the quilts were amazing, I was equally impressed with the wide range of competition categories on display in the exhibit hall, including tables decorated in literary themes, photographs, baking contest entries (they looked so good I wished I was a judge), LEGO sculptures, duct tape clothing, metal sculptures, painted furniture, paintings, mixed media artwork, wreaths, baskets, dolls, decorated lamps, ceramics, and so much more. The skill and creativity on display inspired me to
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consider entering something of my own next year. The delicious aromas wafting around the fairgrounds finally got to us, and we decided to purchase a snack – chocolate-covered bacon on a stick. This was our one indulgence for the night, and it was totally worth it as we both enjoyed the mix of savory and sweet. I know it sounds really wrong, but we decided to finish our snack in a hurry because our next destination was back up the hill to see the Rosaire’s Royal Racers pig races. It was standing room only around the track to see some swift and not-soswift portly porkers make their way around the track. You just had to laugh at the monikers given to some of the racers – Pork Chop Pam, Harry Hambone, Belly Buster, Rolling Thunder, Tyrone the Terrible, Lyndsay Loham, Christina Hogulara, Hama Montana, and Brittany Spareribs. The energy of the races was great because the crowd was as excited and boisterous as if people were watching the Kentucky Derby and had rent money on the line. There is so much to see and do at the state fair that it is impossible to talk about it all in one go. But as we headed back toward the car later in the evening and passed back by the livestock tents, it was great to feel like we had come full circle. The newborn calf was resting in a different pen with its mother and looked surprisingly calm despite all the stimulus of its surroundings. We decided to get hands-on in our final moments there by participating in the cow-milking demonstration. It took two pulls for me to hear the hiss of the milk squirting out and hitting the pail, but Rachel was successful the first time around, which prompted her to break into a huge grin and crow, “I’m a natural!” Laura McFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@ powhatantoday.com.
WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS The Local welcomes your signed letters to the editor on topics of interest to Hanover residents. Letters must include your address and a daytime telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters. We do not guarantee that every letter received will be published. Letters reflect the opinions and positions of the writers and not The Ashland-Hanover Local. Send letters to: The Ashland-Hanover Local 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, Va. 23116 Fax: 730-0476 E-mail: editor@mechlocal.com © 2019 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: 13,776.
Thursday, Oct. 17 The Town of Ashland Economic Development Authority will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Ashland Town Hall at 101 Thompson St. in Ashland.
Saturday, Oct. 19 The Church of Our Saviour at 17102 Mountain Rd. in Montpelier, in western Hanover County, is holding its annual Fall Bazaar from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Baked goods, Brunswick Stew, silent auction, large yard sale, furniture, 50/50 raffle, and more will be for sale. Breakfast and lunch will be available. All are welcome. For more information, call the church office at 804-883-5943.
Saturday, Oct. 26 The Frog Level Fire Department will host its Fall Festival and Parade from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors may sign up by calling 804-338-8796 or emailing crozell@verizon.net.
Saturdays Trinity Lutheran Church, Ashland Campus, located at 11515 Ashcake Road in Ashland two miles west of U.S. 1, holds it church service at 5 p.m. with Pastor Roy Minnix, senior pastor, and Nycholas Greig, associate pastor. For more information, visit www.trinityrichmond.net or call 804-270-9626.
Sundays Outside the Walls, a new Narcotics Anonymous group, has been organized and will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the Pamunkey Regional Jail at 7240 Courtland Farm Rd. in Hanover. For more information, contact John Shinholser, McShin president, at 804-249-1845. The website is http://www.mcshin.org.
Tuesdays A Commanders Coffee is held from 10 a.m. to about 11 a.m. at the Beaverdam Post at 17662 Beaver Dam Rd. in Beaverdam. Members discuss issues of interest/befits of the American Legion. There also will be donuts. Eugene Truitt is the Post commander. He can be contacted at 804-746-4734.
UPCOMING EVENTS
10
18 2019
Prep football: Hanover at Patrick Henry 7:00 p.m.
10
19 2019
Men’s/women’s soccer: Emory & Henry at Randolph-Macon 1:00 p.m./4:00 p.m.
| Youth, High School, College, Recreational & Professional
Varina adjusts to Patrick Henry pressure By Rob Witham For the Mechanicsville Local ASHLAND – Once the top team in their half of Henrico County, in recent years the Varina Blue Devils have seen their archrival, Highland Springs, win four state championships. Their other rival, Henrico, has had their number. Now, finally, Varina has the weapons, the athletes, and the speed to try and shake up that hierarchy. Using relentless speed off the corners, and power in the interior, the Blue Devils held Patrick Henry’s offense to just 44 total yards in a 48-10 victory that sent Varina to their sixth straight win. With the loss, Patrick Henry falls to 4-3, but the Patriots remain very much still alive in a more crowded Region 4B field. “We wanted to stop the inside run and force [Patriots quarterback Alex Sikkar] to keep the ball,” said Varina head coach Stu Brown. “We felt like we could run a little bit, and they have a perimeter running game. We wanted to shut the inside game down and get them running east and west. We felt like we could track him down and we did that.” Indeed, plays set for the perimeter, usually successful for Sikkar and the Patriot offense, were swallowed up by linebackers and defensive backs who were much faster to
Hanover’s Wilkinson wins region golf title By Dave Lawrence Sports Editor
Rachel Witham for The Local
Patrick Henry quarterback Alex Sikkar (2), sees a Varina defender from one direction as Blue Devils Irvin Jackson (58) and Omarion Robinson (55) approach from another during Varina’s 48-10 win Friday. Varina held the Patriots to 44 yards total offense.
the corners than any defense Patrick Henry has faced so far this season. Patrick Henry’s two scores came thanks to special teams and defense. After Varina took a 7-0 lead on an 18-yard touchdown run by Isiah Page, the Patriots blocked a Blue Devil punt at the end of their next possession, recovering the football at the Varina 12.
The Patriots could not find the end zone, settling for a 24-yard field goal from William Dorsey to make it 7-3 with 1:32 left in the first quarter. The Patrick Henry defense continued its stellar play for the first 18 minutes of the evening, but could not stop a late secondquarter onslaught by Varina which began with a Page 5-yard run to the end zone for a 14-3
advantage. On Varina’s next possession, defensive back Nick Sikkar read a short pass play perfectly, stepping between quarterback Bobby Dunn and Page, the intended receiver, for a 19-yard interception return for a touchdown to bring the Patriots back within four points at 14-10. But Dunn got his revenge, throwing a 40-yard touchdown
strike to Page, then, less than two minutes later with just 1:11 left in the half, hitting Barry Hill on a 25-yard touchdown pass to send the Varina lead to 28-10 before halftime. What adjustments the Patriots drew up offensively in the second half were quickly met by adjustments from the
Hanover’s Andrew Wilkinson scorched the 18 holes of Mattaponi Springs Golf Club in Ruther Glen on Oct. 7, shooting a 6-under-par 66 to claim the Region 4B medalist title. A Patrick Henry foursome of Jessica Rathbone, Dan Ailor, Miles Krishnamurthy and Dillan Baskind shot a combined score of 329 to finish as regional runner up. Monacan, the Region 4B South winner, claimed the region title with a score of 299, while Orange was third (360) and Eastern View fourth (399). Wilkinson felt good about winning region medalist honors, but he wished his team could have been playing for the region title. Hanover finished a see GOLF, pg. 9
see ADJUSTS, pg. 8
Ashland-Hanover Local October 16, 2019
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Patriots get over slow start to beat Lee-Davis By Rob Witham For the Mechanicsville Local ASHLAND — When starting lineups were announced for Patrick Henry and Lee-Davis boys volleyball on Oct. 8, the names hung over a gym that seemed lifeless. The Patriots came out flat, Lee-Davis taking advantage of Patrick Henry mistakes to build a lead, then hold off a rally for a 25-23 first set win. It was just the wake-up call the three-time defending state champions needed. Patrick Henry responded by scoring 15 of the first 18 points of the second set, winning it going away, using the momentum and improved play to win over their oldest rivals in four sets to improve to 9-2 on the season. For the Patriots, it was their seventh straight victory. Their last defeat came at Cosby on Sept. 11. “Our first set was the way we practiced yesterday,” said Patriot head coach Michael Townsend. “I’ve got to start riding them a little bit harder in practice. It’s been somewhat of a weakness this year, not coming out and taking control. What I want is the majority of the first five points.” Once he saw the LeeDavis outside hitters begin to get in rhythm during the Confederates’ first set win, Townsend made a defensive
ADJUSTS Continued from pg. 7
Varina defense, and Patrick Henry would not find the scoreboard again. Meanwhile, Dunn connected with Hill twice more on touchdown passes of 7 and 56 yards, while Brysen Ross scored on an 18-yard run with
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Inge added four, as the Patriots used better defense to create offensive chemistry. Cole Jenkins led Lee-Davis (4-7), and all players, with 17 kills while Christopher Webster had 12 and Collin Moore added seven. The Patriots host Varina Thursday and Thomas Dale Monday before a trip to rival Atlee Tuesday. Lee-Davis hosts Henrico Thursday, then travels to Hanover Tuesday. Both teams look to collect victories for better seeding as the Class 1-4 Western Section Tournament in early November draws closer. For Townsend, he’d like to see two improvements as his Patriots head down the regular season homestretch. “We need more consistent blocking, and something I haven’t said in the last three years: staying focused,” Townsend said. “We’ll get a six- or seven-point lead and we think, now we can cruise through it, and that’s when we start making errors. It gives the other team momentum and Rob Witham for The Local they start playing better, and Patrick Henry hitter Ben Russell (3) gets a shot past Lee-Davis defenders Logan Lewis (4) and Will Storey (5) in the Patriots’ win. now it’s a side out game, essenThe final set saw the Patriots tially.” adjustment which played a first seven points, he had two 5-1 lead. But Lee-Davis turned major role in turning the tide in block kills, and he was good this stanza into a grind, tak- lead most of the way, closing out Atlee sweeps Hanover ing a 12-11 advantage before the match with a 25-16 triumph. offensively as well.” Patrick Henry’s favor. MECHANICSVILLE – The Opening a 15-3 advantage, the Patriots fought back for an Link Hammerschmidt had 11 “The outsides were killing us. I ended up moving the Patriots cruised to a 25-12 18-16 lead. Seven of the last kills to lead the Patriots while Raiders, with seven kills apiece Ben [Russell] over to the right win to tie the match at 1-1. points in the set went to Patrick Cal Inge had 10, and Russell by Mason Ellenberger and side, which really paid off,” Set three began much like set Henry, quality defense leading added nine. More importantly, Russell had five blocks while Townsend said. “Within the two, Patrick Henry jumping to a the way, for a 25-18 win. see SLOW, pg. 9 7:39 remaining to end the Blue Devil scoring. While the outcome was disappointing for Patriot fans, there is still plenty of reason for optimism. Entering the week tied for third place in Region 4B with idle Spotsylvania, Patrick Henry benefits from Varina’s success. In the Virginia High School League points system,
Ashland-Hanover Local October 16, 2019
a team receives bonus points for each win by a team that defeated it. Region 4B member Powhatan losing to Cosby is good news for the Patriots. Wins by Dinwiddie, Monacan, Huguenot, and Chancellor are not. Patrick Henry will still be in the top eight entering its final home game Friday against 1-5
Hanover. They’ll be the favorites on the road at Armstrong and at Lee-Davis for Tomato Bowl 61 on Nov. 8. If the Patriots finish strong and 7-3, it’s hard to see them not earning a playoff bid. Once the postseason begins, the Patriots can be dangerous. Just ask Coach Brown. “Other than Manchester,
that’s the second-best football team we’ve played,” Brown said of the Patriots. “You can’t get them out of position, you can’t make them make mistakes.” Rob Witham can be reached at sports@mechlocal.com. Varina P. Henry
7 21 6 14 — 48 3 7 0 0 — 10
VAR — Paige 18 run (Reed kick)
PH — Dorsey FG 24 VAR — Paige 5 run (Reed kick) PH — N. Sikkar 24 INT return (Dorsey kick) VAR — Paige 40 pass from Dunn (Reed kick) VAR — Hill 25 pass from Dunn (Reed kick) VAR — Hill 11 pass from Dunn (pass failed) VAR — Hill 43 pass from Dunn (Reed kick) VAR — Ross 18 run (Reed kick)
Yellow Jackets pick up steam in win over Hornets like the ones they did at homecoming. “We’re getting better, we’re improving,” Arruza noted. “I think a lot of things that were issues we’re taking care of. We’re getting better a little bit at a time.”
By Rob Witham For the Mechanicsville Local ASHLAND – Some Randolph-Macon fans left Day Field Saturday afternoon thinking they’d received a bargain. It felt like they’d watched two games for the price of one. The second half bore no resemblance to the first half between the Yellow Jackets and the Shenandoah Hornets, and for Randolph-Macon, that was a good thing, as their rushing attack, held in check much of the season, finally gained traction, helping turn a 7-0 halftime lead into a 35-14 homecoming victory that placed the Yellow Jackets alone in first place in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference at 4-0, a half-game ahead of Bridgewater – which defeated Hampden-Sydney – and idle Washington and Lee. The constant for all 60 minutes? Relentless, physical and occasionally devastating defense by Randolph-Macon. Yet, it wasn’t without its pitfalls. “We played really, really well on defense. The big difference between this year and last year, last year we won almost every 50-50 ball,” noted RandolphMacon head coach Pedro Arruza. “Today, not so much. We all have to get better.” Down in the second half, Shenandoah, as is their custom, aired out the football, as junior quarterback Ben Agostino worked on defensive back DeAngelo Barr. The Hornets were able to complete a few long passes, the biggest a 41-yard touchdown to Casey Stewart, who broke a series of tackles to reach the right side pylon to finally put Shenandoah on the board with 9:33 left in the third quarter and cut RandolphMacon’s lead to 14-7. The Yellow Jackets’ lone score of the first half came on an eight-play, 71-yard drive,
GOLF Continued from pg. 7
Rachel Witham for The Local
Randolph-Macon running back Tre Frederick (5) evades Shenandoah defender Sean Rheams in the Yellow Jackets’ 35-14 Old Dominion Athletic Conference victory over Shenandoah Saturday. Frederick is fifth on Virginia’s collegiate all-time rushing list.
capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Jordan Foster, who led the wildcat offense occasionally throughout the game, the latest wrinkle added to a RandolphMacon attack searching to get its groove back. Randolph-Macon (5-1, 4-0 ODAC) put together its best drive to open the second half, another eight-play drive, this time for 72 yards, rushing the ball on 7-of-8 plays. A Presley Egbers pass to tight end Tim Hanratty earned an early first down, then Egbers ran a quarterback keeper for 26 yards to the Shenandoah 29. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Hornets gave the Yellow Jackets the ball at the 4. Two plays later, Jordan Hall scored from 2 yards out for a 14-0 lead.
Later in the third quarter, punter Gavin Stone, who struggled in the kicking game, made up for it with a booming 56-yard punt to pin Shenandoah back at their 4-yard line. On the next play, linebacker Erik Harris forced a fumble by tailback Rashadeen Byrd, the ball flying into the air and recovered by Harris, who walked into the end zone from 4 yards out for a rare defensive touchdown with 4:16 left in the third period. Randolph-Macon extended the lead in the fourth on another eight-play drive, this time ending on an Andrew Ihle 7-yard run to the end zone. Foster, who led the Yellow Jackets with 100 yards rushing on 14 carries, closed out the scoring on a 1-yard run with 42
seconds remaining. In the first half, the Yellow Jackets ran 46 plays for just 171 yards. They rushed the ball 25 times for just 73 yards. After intermission, Randolph-Macon ran 37 plays, gaining 274 yards, 190 of them on the ground. Tre Frederick rushed for 99 yards, giving him 4,650 yards in his career, passing former Hampton University standout Alonzo Coleman for fifth place on the all-time rushing list in Virginia college football history. The defense kept Agostino off balance much of the game. After throwing six touchdown passes in a win over RandolphMacon’s next opponent, Southern Virginia University the previous Saturday, the junior ended 20-for-41 for 253 yards and two touchdowns,
but three interceptions. In all, Shenandoah committed five turnovers. Harris and Barr each had 5.5 tackles for the Yellow Jackets, while Victor Robinson added 4.5. Randolph-Macon heads to Buena Vista this Saturday to face the Knights, the newest ODAC football member, with a chance to enter their bye week at 5-0 in conference play. In two weeks, Bridgewater and Washington and Lee collide in Lexington. On Nov. 2, the Yellow Jackets host the Generals, and a week later Randolph-Macon travels to Bridgewater. It could be a round robin three-week tournament that would crown the ODAC champion. For the Yellow Jackets to retain the title, they’ll need to take many more steps forward
stroke behind Patrick Henry in the subregional the week before. “I was kind of sad that our team didn’t get to go [to the regional] this year,” Wilkinson said. “I was really looking forward to seeing the team go this year.” Wilkinson will be competing with Patrick Henry’s Rathbone for the state medalist honor. The two have been carding torrid scores all season, with Rathbone winning some contests and Wilkinson others. The competition has always been friendly. “It’s really nice seeing both of us play well,” Wilkinson said. “We’ve known each other and it’s a boost for both of us. We both hope the best for each other. It’s nice seeing both of us play well.” Dave Lawrence can be reached at dlawrence@mechlocal.com.
SLOW Continued from pg. 8
Daniel Hooper, and 23 assists from Nick Conway, swept the host Hawks 25-17, 25-12, 25-16 on Oct. 8. Ellenberger and Hooper also had an ace apiece. Keegan Maloney led Hanover with three kills. Trent Rice had a kill and six digs. Rob Witham can be reached at sports@mechlocal.com.
Ashland-Hanover Local October 16, 2019
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CLASSIFIEDS Business & Service Directory HAULING Junk Removal Will clean junk from attics, basements, garages, hauling brush piles, furniture & appliances. 804-514-2938
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CONSTRUCTION & TRADES Electrical Helper - Electrical Helper needed for a local company in business for more than 30 years. At least six (6) months experience with residential wiring. Candidate must have valid drivers license and be able to pass a background check. Tuition assistance for Electrical School is available. Immediate hire for qualified candidate. 40+ hours a week. Compensation based on experience. Please submit a resume and include a contact phone number, any submission without contact number will not be considered. Tammy@smartwire360.com
GENERAL Full-Time inside Sales Position with benefits. Apply in person at Zip Corvette or call 746-2290.
ADMIN. & OFFICE WORK Office Assistant needed for PL/HVAC Company in Mechanicsville, VA. Quick Books, Excel, and Word Experience is necessary. Full-time hours M-F, 8am5pm. Please send resume to office@fastrackmech.com
HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALISTS DRIVEWAYS
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PLUMBING Paul Brown Plumbing - in Business Since 1983. New Residential, Light Commercial, Renovations, Additions & Service. We do it all! Senior Citizen Discounts. For free estimate, 746-5030
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Full Service Tree Company. (Removal, trimming, topping, stump grinding & firewood delivery) Offering free estimates and providing fully insured work.
Ashland-Hanover Local October 16, 2019
PLACE YOUR AD TODAY
(804) 746-1235 ext. 2
FAX: (804) 730-0476 or classifieds@mechlocal.com
Legal Notices LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY Ashland Community Preschool admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies and other school-administered programs.
PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Hanover County Board of Supervisors has set Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at 7:00 P.M., in the Board Room of the Hanover County Government Building at Hanover Courthouse, Hanover, Virginia, as the day, date, time, and place for a public hearing to consider the following cases, at which public comments will be accepted: REZONINGS REZ2019-00016, WAYNE E. FORD Request(s) to rezone from B-3, General Business District, and R-1, Single-Family Residential District, to RS(c), Single Family Residential District with conditions, on GPINs 8704-84-3613 and 8704-84-2686, consisting of approximately 0.34 acres, and located on the east line of Edgeworth Road (State Route 1101) approximately 55 feet south of its intersection with Dogwood Place (State Route 1119). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Mixed-Use (Low Commercial/High Residential). (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Mechanicsville REZ2019-00017, DKD DEVELOPMENT, L.L.C. Request(s) an amendment to the proffers, conceptual plan and elevations approved with rezoning request C-4-03(c), Hard Rock, Inc., on GPIN 7788-85-0527, consisting of approximately 9.8 acres, zoned M-2(c), Light Industrial District with conditions. The property is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Patterson Park Road (State Route 822) and Air Park Road (State Route 809). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Industrial. The proposed zoning amendment would permit additional square footage in multiple buildings, new architectural elevations for the proposed structures, and revisions to the proffers. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Ashland REZ2019-00020, JOAN BATIAO AND WILLIAM M. THORNBURG, SR. Request(s) to rezone from B-O, Business-Office District, to RS(c), Single-Family Residential District with conditions on GPIN 8706-22-2586, consisting of approximately 0.90 acres, and located on the south line of Chamberlayne Road (U.S. Route 301) approximately 250 feet west of its intersection with Rutlandshire Drive (State Route 2320). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Suburban General (1.5-3.0 dwelling units per acre). The proposed zoning amendment would allow the existing building to be used as a residence. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Chickahominy SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS SE2019-00008, SUSAN BISHOP ROBERTSON (MCDONALD’S USA, L.L.C.) Request(s) a Special Exception Permit in accordance with Section 26-338 of the Hanover County Zoning Ordinance to permit a signlargerthanpermittedonGPIN7796-91-5579,consistingofapproximately1.33acres,zonedB-2(c),GeneralBusinessDistrict with conditions, and located on the northwest quadrant of the intersection of Chamberlayne Road (U.S. Route 301) and Leon Lane (State Route 1364). (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Chickahominy SE2019-00009, LIBERTY CHRISTIAN CHURCH Request(s) a Special Exception Permit in accordance with Section 26-334.2 of the Hanover County Zoning Ordinance to permit a temporary classroom trailer on GPINs 8725-31-9218, 8725-40-1234, 8725-40-2226, 8725-40-1473 and 8725-308257, consisting of approximately 17.57 acres, zoned A-1, Agricultural District, and located on the north line of Mechanicsville Turnpike (U.S. Route 360) approximately 850 feet west of its intersection with Creighton Parkway (State Route 1015). (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Henry Copies of the above case may be reviewed in the Planning Office, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Ashland-Hanover Local October 16, 2019 11
Senior Law Day offered to assist low income seniors HANOVER -- The Hanover Council on Aging is partnering with Senior Connections and Williams Mullen to provide free preparation of Wills, Powers of Attorney and Advanced Directives for persons over 55 or those with a disability. Individuals or couples must meet low-income guidelines (oneperson household: $2,792/month or less; two-person household: $3,782/ month or less). Appointments are limited to 16 persons. All participants must complete and submit preliminary documents to Senior Connections in order for paperwork to be prepared prior to the event date on Oct. 29. Participants will be notified of the exact appointment time and location in Mechanicsville area. (One-hour appointments will be scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m.) If Mechanicsville location slots are full or another date is needed, similar
Fuel assistance applications being accepted The Hanover County Department of Social Services is accepting applications for the Fuel Assistance Program. Fuel Assistance is a temporary program that helps eligible households with the costs of heating their homes. The amount that is received will not necessarily cover all of the winter heating costs but will be a supplement. Benefits are based on the availability of funds and the number of applications received within the state. In order to be eligible for fuel
help.virginia.gov), The Enterprise Customer Service Center (1-855-635-4370), or a (pre-printed) Fuel application, or a paper Fuel application (local agency) You can call a Human Services Agent at 804-365-4100 to have an application mailed to you. A face-toface interview is not required. Information submitted by Tom Harris, Hanover County public information officer.
Metro Creative Connection
sessions are being offered throughout the Greater Richmond Area. Senior Connections will provide details on options. Interested parties must contact Pat Giesen with Senior Connections at 804-343-3059 or email pgiesen@ youraaa.org for registration forms. Information submitted by Tom Harris, Hanover County public information officer.
Henrico High School Class of 1969 to hold 50th reunion RICHMOND – The Henrico High School Class of 1969 will hold its 50th Reunion Friday through Sunday, Oct. 18-20, starting with the first event 6 p.m. Friday at The Answer Brewery at 6008 W. Broad St. in Richmond. According to Debbie Dogoli Jukes, the reunion is a pay-as-you-go event. Saturday’s event will be a picnic,
TRANSGENDER Continued from pg. 1
sonable people to believe that you don’t try to help one person by damaging dozens of others,” Rector said. “Policies like this will continue to drive many students out of the public school system.” Another parent said he endorsed the policy that identifies a student’s gender by their birth certificate designation. “The problem is that there is a male student who would like to dress with the females who comes from another state which is apparently willing to alter vital statistics,” Rath said before school board chairman Roger Bourassa interrupted his comments. Bourassa said discussion of any student except those of the speaker is not allowed for privacy reasons. “We strongly believe it is inappropriate for an adult to make comments about specific children who are not their own,” Bourassa said. “Our children are innocent and should not be singled out and discussed by adults in a public forum.” “They were innocent before being told they had to change their clothes in front of a boy,” Rath responded. He contended the birth certificate supplied in this case is “unofficial” because it doesn’t adhere to Virginia guidelines. Rath suggested keeping the policy
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or utility assistance, your household’s income must be less than the maximum allowed for the number of people in the home, and you must be responsible for paying the heating bill. Applications will be processed as soon as possible but must be received or postmarked no later than Nov. 8. Funds are sent directly to the vendor beginning the first week in January. Hanover’s share of this statewide allocation is limited. Applications for Fuel Assistance can be submitted through: CommonHelp (www.common-
Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
Melody Clark urged school board members to rectify a situation at SJMS that is causing concerns for some parents and students. A large contingent turned out at last week’s school board meeting to express their concerns regarding the issue.
currently in place, but urged disallowing altered birth certificates from other states. Sarah Via asked the board to suspend all gym activities that require seventh graders to change clothes until the issue is resolved. “I think that’s a very reasonable request,” Via said. Don Blake is president of The Virginia Christian Alliance and said he sought clarity on Hanover’s
Ashland-Hanover Local October 16, 2019
which will be held from noon to dusk, at Echo Lake Park at 5701 Springfield Rd. in Glen Allen. The cost is $15. On Sunday, a brunch will get underway at 11 a.m. at Hanover Tavern at 13181 Hanover Courthouse Rd. in Hanover. This is a pay-as-yougo event. The committee will need a head-
count for each event that you will be attending. For the cost of the picnic, send your check to Debbie Dogoli Jukes, 8431 Burnside Dr., Mechanicsville, VA 23116, payable to HHS Class of 1969. For more information, email Debbie at d2hounds@aol.com.
policy four years ago, but received no response. Blake said accommodating transgender students is not the solution. “Transgenderism is a serious mental disorder and the proper response for the child is to recognize the disorder and treat the patient,” Blake said. “Accommodation is not the answer nor is accommodation in the best interest of the child.” He referred to transgender students as “mentally disordered.” He also said, “It’s actually a form of child abuse by parents and others to endorse and enable a child to think and believe that their birth sex is not their gender.” Melody Clark also urged board members to not allow the practice to continue. “Something must be done to rectify the situation,” Clark said. “I will be here every month until something changes. “One child should not be having this special treatment,” she continued. “It can use another bathroom. It was born male, and it is a male.” A federal judge ruled earlier this year that the constitutional rights of a Gloucester transgender student were denied when the anatomically born female was denied access to the boys’ bathroom. The Gloucester County School Board has appealed that decision. Hanover school officials have been tight-lipped regarding the current controversy, but one school official indicated the system “would continue to follow the law.”
Absentee voting taking place now HANOVER — Absentee ballots for the 2019 General Election are now available. If you qualify to vote by absentee, you can obtain your ballot from the Voter Registration and Elections Office in the Wickham Building at Hanover Courthouse from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in addition to Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Voter Registration and Elections Office will have special Saturday hours on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) for In-Person Absentee voting. Saturday, Nov. 2, will be the last day you can vote In-person absentee. Wednesday, Oct. 30, is the final day you can request an absentee ballot by mail. Monday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. is the cutoff for voting an emergency-only absentee ballot in the Voter Registration and Elections Office.