Ashland-Hanover Local – 07/22/20

SCHOOL BOARD

EDUCATION

On 4-3 vote, schools with Confederate names changed

Fifth grade teacher named Innovator of the Year PAGE

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Vol. 5 No. 45 | Richmond Suburban News | July 22, 2020

School division’s return to learn plan offers options

By Jim Ridolphi for Ashland-Hanover Local

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SHLAND -- While some school districts across the Commonwealth are opting for virtual-only school openings in the fall and others announcing in-school openings, Hanover County officials have prepared an either/or reopening plan that offers parents and students both options.

Hanover County School Board members unanimously approved a relaunch that allows students to attend school in a normal in-class environment, or select a virtual-only option that allows individualized and teacher-supported remote learning.

Superintendent Michael Gill said last event conditions worsen or further directives week’s presented plan was the product of from Governor Ralph Northam.

Several parents and teachers hours of exhaustive work by staff, provided comments during the virteachers, parents and administratual meeting, expressing concerns tors. with a face-to-face opening, and “I am extremely proud of the urged officials to begin the fall with task force’s work, understanding virtual-only instruction. that there is no plan that is perfect “Please consider a full virtu. . . and it has to be agile and fluid,” al start to the school, especially Gill said. “The situation can change considering the additional fundin a moment’s notice and we have to ing now available to invest in lapbe agile as well.” tops and additional tools for more That work was made more diffithan just the middle schools,” said cult by the fluidity and ever-changGILL teacher Shelley Burnside. “It is irreing nature of the COVID-19 situation, and officials said alternative plans are sponsible to have teachers, students and staff included in the return to learn program in the return until we have seen a large decrease, if

see OPTIONS pg. 5

Town further invests in arts & culture with incentive program

Ashland Harvest Run canceled due to COVID-19

Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com

Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com ASHLAND -- The General Federation of Women's Clubs' (GFWC) Ashcake Woman’s Club has been holding the Ashland Harvest Run 5K/10K for the past 16 years as a fundraiser to help local charities.

Due to the pandemic, the group has decided to cancel this year’s race, but has moved its fundraising efforts to a GoFundMe campaign to benefit the Arc of Hanover, We Are Unique, and the Hanover Interfaith Free Clinics organizations.

To learn more about the effort, go to https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/ campaign/ashland-harvest-10k5k.

not eradication of new cases of COVID-19.”

Others expressed a desire for students to return to school full-time in September.

“COVID-19 is a deadly disease, but not for the young and healthy,” David Willard said.

“Our children are not in danger. They need to get back to normal and back to school,” he added in an email submitted for public comment on the issue voicing his support for a full back to classroom opening.

Claudia Brookman, parent of a Patrick Henry High School student, urged board members to opt for a completely virtual opening this fall. “I feel it is absolutely imperative that Hanover schools . . . operate remotely this

2017 file photo

Runners leave the starting line for the 10K event of the annual Ashland Harvest Run. Funds would go to Circles of Ashland, Wings of Hope, and Hanover Interfaith Free Clinics. The run was sponsored by The GFWC Ashcake Woman's Club.

ASHLAND – This week, the Town of Ashland announced the creation of a new Arts & Culture Incentive program, which is available to designated businesses located within Ashland’s Arts & Culture District.

Funds of up to $4,000 per qualified business will be administered and disbursed by the town for special projects that contribute to and further enhance Ashland’s arts and cultural offerings.

“The mission of the town’s new Arts & Culture Incentive is to assist both existing and new arts and culture businesses in meeting their mission and business objectives as it relates to Ashland’s Strategic Plan,” said Josh Farrar, Ashland’s town manager. “Advice from CultureWorks helped staff bring this program to fruition. We hope the program will serve as a catalyst for continued growth and development

of the town’s arts and culture scene.”

Established in 2012 to increase awareness and support for the arts in the Town of Ashland, the Arts & Culture District lies within the boundaries of the town’s historic downtown.

BRILL The district was created to enable the town’s arts and cultural organizations to partner and build alliances, enable more effective promotion, encourage the growth of complementary businesses, and increase overall economic activity in Ashland.

"The significance of the importance of this see ARTS, pg. 10

Confederate school names changed Lee-Davis and Stonewall Jackson being renamed with committee taking the lead

By Jim Ridolphi for Ashland-Hanover Local

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SHLAND -- The Hanover County School Board approved a recommendation to change the names and mascots of Lee-Davis High School and Stonewall Jackson Middle Schools.

On Tuesday, July 14, Sterling Daniel moved to approve the change, and Ola Hawkins seconded the motion. Kelly Evko and Robert Hundley joined Daniel and Hawkins in approving the changes. George Sutton, John Axselle and Norman Sulser voted not to change the

DANIEL

HAWKINS

names.

Superintendent Michael Gill said a process that involves forming a committee and seeking public input will begin immediately, and a recommendation will be presented to the school board for the renaming. A timetable for that process was not immediately available.

The superintendent said he will instruct principals at the two schools to begin gathering student input for new mascots, a decision left to the student body.

Latest efforts to change the long controversial names began in 2018 when school board members considered a petition seeking the changes, but voted 5-2 to maintain the status quo.

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Marla Coleman was a member of the board at that time and voted in favor of a name change.

Upon learning of the board’s recent decision, Coleman said, “I am delighted to offer my congratulations to the school board members on the successful vote to change the Confederate names of two of our schools. It is reassuring to know that the members have found a way to meet tonight’s challenge. Compromise brings with it a move forward that has been lacking for nearly seven generations.”

Hanover NAACP president Robert Barnette said the vote

EVKO

is a positive beginning in an ongoing conversation regarding equity.

“The school names have been a symbol of inequality for the African American community,” Barnette said. “The decision by the school board today was long overdue and a first step towards racial justice in Hanover County. We are encouraged that the Hanover County School Board made the right choice today.”

Barnette and the Hanover NAACP filed suit against the school board in an effort to force a name change at the two schools, but Federal Judge Robert Payne dismissed that suit earlier this year, citing an expiration in the statute of limi-

Ashland-Hanover Local July 22, 2020

tations.

The decision came after a month of mounting pressure on the school board to make the changes. The Virginia PTA, Governor Ralph Northam and even Chelsea Clinton had issued letters in support of removing offensive names from schools and public facilities.

Last month, the board held a special meeting to consider the matter, but could not reach consensus. Sources said the panel was deadlocked 3-3 with one member asking for more time to consider the issue. That special meeting ended with an abrupt adjournment and no action being taken.

HUNDLEY

the impact your decision will have on all Hanoverians, as well as your county’s vision for a progressive, enlightened place for all children to live.”

Jerry McCormick pointed out in his email that the removal of Confederate imagery and statutes had failed to quell violent protests, and referenced a survey conducted in 2018 where a majority of Hanoverians expressed a desire to keep the names.

“What lessons are we truly teaching our children if the vote of our community ultimately has no value?” he asked.

But most of the submitted

And the vote was . . . 4-3, with the top four Hanover County School Board members above supporting changes the names of Lee-Davis High School and Stonewall Jackson High School, while the three at right opposed the action.

Last week’s virtual meeting attracted more than 1,800 interested viewers and School Board Clerk Kate Brown read a number of electronic submissions during a public comment period. Of the 33 email generated responses, the majority endorsed the name changes, but Brown said 21 voicemail entries expressed opposition to the renaming.

“In 1959, Lee-Davis High School was built to honor a Confederate general who fought to keep human beings in slavery,” said former school board member Vonita Foster. “I ask you not to hold on to your pervasive myths, but do your due diligence and understand

comments expressed a desire for change, many expressing the negative effects of the racially insensitive names.

“These schools were named in the 1960s solely to create a hostile environment for those who are not white,” Connie Berringer wrote in an email read during the one-hour public comment period.

She questioned why mascots from Lee-Davis and Stonewall Jackson, Confederates and Rebels respectively, were not accessible on the school’s website or handbooks.

“It’s because it’s racist and it’s offensive. If it wasn’t, it would not be hidden,” she wrote.

Chickahominy District school board representative

Bob Hundley explained why he would vote to change the names as the panel began discussion before the vote.

Hundley explained that previous school boards had determined that naming schools after people could present problems. “I tend to believe that was because we had issues with some of the names on our buildings,” he said.

Hundley also took issue with the position of many who contacted board members with concerns regarding the cost of changing the names, a figure some estimates have placed as high as $1 million.

AXSELLE

two years is just pie in the sky,” Hundley said.

Hundley acknowledged that, like the community, he too has grappled with this issue, and his views have evolved.

“We owe it to all of our students to create a clean, welcoming and nurturing environment, and I believe the time is now to do this,” he said.

Mechanicsville District representative Sterling Daniel, who has deep Hanover and Virginia roots, traces his heritage back to the state’s early beginnings 300 years ago. He noted relatives that served both in the Continental Army, as well as

SULSER

While that cost is significant, Hundley said it should be weighed against the possible expense of future litigation that could potentially cost much more.

He also said the position that the names will be changed once new schools are built also is unrealistic in that a time frame has not been established for that process. Three elementary schools are slated for renovation or replacement before a new high/middle school complex can even be considered.

Realistically, he said it takes four to five years to open a new school once the land is acquired.

“This idea that we could have a new secondary site in

SUTTON

descendants who served under J.E.B. Stuart in the Civil War. Some even owned slaves.

“I cannot provide a reason or rationale for their actions so long ago, but only gratitude that it is just that — history.”

Born and raised in Mechanicsville, Daniel said he does not discount his deep local connections or apologize for his heritage.

“My Hanoverian blood runs as red as the tomatoes that grow here,” Daniel said.

While Daniel said it isn’t fair to judge the lives of the three Confederate leaders solely by their contributions during the war, he acknowledged the see NAMES, pg. 9

SHERIFF’S REPORTS

OUR EXPERT HAS THE REMEDY FOR THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER!

| Crime, Accidents, Fire & Rescue June 6

Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 11600 block of Lakeridge Parkway, Ashland.

DWI: 1st offense was reported in the 37 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.

Obtaining money or signature by false pretenses was reported in the 11200 block of Linderwood Drive, Mechanicsville.

Possession of Schedule I and II controlled substance was reported in the 11600 block of Lakeridge Parkway, Ashland.

Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported in the 7100 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike/Wynbrook Lane, Mechanicsville.

Petit larceny from auto was reported in the 9100 block of Burkwood Club Drive, Mechanicsville.

Possession of marijuana, subsequent offense, was reported in the 7400 block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville.

Driver did not report an accident with damages, $250, in the 13400 block of Ashland Road, Ashland.

Unauthorized use of vehicle, boat or animal was reported in the 9000 block of Atlee Road, Mechanicsville.

Computer fraud to obtain services, $500, was reported in the 8000 block of Elder Trail, Mechanicsville.

Concealment, price altering merchandise, $500, was reported in the 6600 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.

Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported in the 7100 block of Catlin Road/Aquarius Drive, Mechanicsville.

Grand larceny auto theft was reported in the 7100 block of Stonewall Parkway/Elm Drive, Mechanicsville.

ID theft to obtain ID to avoid arrest was reported in the 8100 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.

Threats of death or bodily injury by letter or electronic means were reported in the 10400 block of Comanche Lane, Glen Allen.

Profane and threatening language over a public airway was reported in the 14400 block of Deedle Creek Drive, Montpelier.

Driver did not report an accident with damages, $1,000, in the 12600 block of Old Ridge Road, Beaverdam.

June 7

Driver did not report an accident with damages, $250, in the 7200 block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville.

Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 7100 block of Autumn Ridge Lane, Mechanicsville.

Credit card theft was reported in the 8200 block of Pleasant Grove Road,

Failure to appear on a felony charge was reported in the 7500 block of County Complex Road, Hanover.

Possession of Schedule I and II controlled substance was reported in the 37 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.

Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported in the 92 block of Interstate 95 North, Ashland.

Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 11100 block of Tisberry Lane, Ashland.

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June 10

Driving after forfeiture of license, third in 10 years, was reported in the 7800 block of Compass Point Lane, Mechanicsville.

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Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 11100 block of Holly Berry Road, Ashland.

Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 7000 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.

Trespassing after being forbidden to do so was reported in the 11100 block of Cauthorne Road, Glen Allen.

Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 9000 block of Dickey Drive, Mechanicsville.

Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 9300 block of Atlee Station Road, Mechanicsville.

Driver did not report an accident with damages, $250, in the 13200 block of Mountain Road, Glen Allen.

Obtaining money or signature by false pretenses was reported in the 7400 block of Rural Point Road, Mechanicsville.

June 8

Petit larceny building was reported in the 9100 block of Atlee Road, Mechanicsville.

Possession of Schedule I and II controlled substance was reported in the 8100 block of Mechanicsville Byway/Elm Drive, Mechanicsville.

June 9

Driver did not report an accident with damages, $1,000, in the 12300 block of Elmont Road/Ashcake Road, Ashland.

Grand larceny from auto was reported in the 7200 block of Walking Horse Drive, Mechanicsville.

Mechanicsville.

Possession of Schedule I and II controlled substance was reported in the 7500 block of Mechanicsville Byway/ Mechanicsville Turnpike eastbound to Cold Harbor Road, Mechanicsville.

Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported on Washington Highway at Cedar Lane, Ashland.

Threats of death or bodily injury by letter or electronic means were reported in the 11400 block of Mount Hermon Road, Ashland.

Simple assault was reported in the 6400 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.

Drinking while operating a motor vehicle was reported in the 8000 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.

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Doors open at 6pm; Family Friendly concert Inside if raining No outside alcohol or pets please Food Trucks: Strawberry Street Cafe & Good Doggie & Cash Bar COVID19 precautions/procedures followed

Ashland-Hanover Local July 22, 2020 3

Small business can apply for COVID relief grants

By Jim Ridolphi for Ashland-Hanover Local

H

ANOVER — Last month, the Hanover County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to distribute more than $9 million in CARES funding from the federal government to offset expenses incurred during the coronavirus pandemic.

The money is slated to improve public areas with sneeze guards and other protective measures, provide laptops for most Hanover County students, and update customer service practices.

Included in that funding is $300,000 reserved for county businesses adversely affected during the crisis for improvements related to COVID19.

At last month’s public hearing, a number of Hanover County citizens and business owners urged supervisors to approve the small business relief funding, and supervisors approved the spending plan by a unanimous vote.

Chris Ray, co-founder of Center of the Universe Brewing Company, said the relief is needed due to challenges facing small businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As you are aware, Hanover small businesses are struggling,” Ray said.

“We are suffering from loss of income due to the shutdown …. and increases in expenditures due to government regulations and just to keep everybody safe.”

Ray noted that the FY20 budget reflects a robust increase that is in part due to the healthy and vibrant small business community in Hanover.

“Not only is small business important for the character of the county, we do make up some revenue as well,” Ray said.”We’re the local economy. We’re the ones who made that budget happen.”

He acknowledged that all items being considered for the CARES funding are important and deserving, but maintained the importance of assisting small businesses.

“What makes Hanover special is what makes Hanover home is our

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small businesses,” Ray said.

Todd Rogers, representing ChamberRVA, said the challenges facing small businesses were unique in the suddenness of the losses.

“It wasn’t like their revenue slowed down a little bit or there was a recession with a dip. Their businesses were literally cut off at the knees with no revenue source for months,” Rogers said as he urged supervisors to approve the funding.

Hanover Economic Director Linwood Thomas is in charge of administering the Small Business Resilency Grant.

“On June 24, the Board of

localities throughout the Greater Richmond Region and Virginia while also working with our Finance Department, legal counsel and Economic Development Authority to ensure all necessary requirements were put in place,” Thomas said. “We have all moved quickly to roll the program out as we understand many of these businesses are still struggling and every little bit helps them get back on their feet.”

In order to qualify, businesses must employ less than 50 employees and utilize the $5,000 maximum grant for personal protection equipment, customer safeguards like sneeze guards

had to weigh so we are grateful for their support,” he said.

Thomas said the economic impact of COVID-19 has been enormous and the expense of adjusting to the new normal of doing business significant.

“Some of the hardest-hit industries locally have been our retailers, hoteliers and restauranteurs who open their doors back up to the general public and are faced with new protocols regarding social distancing, requirements for PPE and technologies that must be implemented to protect their employees and patrons alike,” he said.

“These new mandates create additional expenses that bridle business owners

Contributed photos

CARES funding, which is being distributed by the Hanover County Board of Supervisors and Hanover County Economic Development Office, is helping local small businesses following the shutdown due to COVID-19.

Supervisors approved $300,000 in CARES Act funding be appropriated to support local small businesses with expenses incurred directly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes PPE (personal protective equipment) and necessary technologies related to creating new safety and operational protocols in this environment,” Thomas said last week.

Since federal guidelines require the money be allocated and spent by the end of the year, supervisors attached a sense of urgency to the funding.

Devising a plan involved consultation with other localities designing similar plans.

“The Department of Economic Development consulted with other

Ashland-Hanover Local July 22, 2020

or point of sale improvements that enhance touch-free transactions.

Applications for the program will be accepted beginning July 17 and close on July 27.

The application is available online at www. HanoverVirginia.com.

All eligible applications will be bundled and selected at random “until all funds have been expended.”

Regarding that demand outweighing supply scenario, Thomas acknowledged the realities.

“There is a chance this could occur and, unfortunately, we will not be able to help every small business in Hanover County that has a need. I know there were many other important requests the Board of Supervisors

with costs that make it even more challenging to operate in this new normal.”

Regarding the possibility of additional funding for small businesses coming Hanover’s way, Thomas wasn’t optimistic.

“Unfortunately, at this time, I do not see any additional funding coming directly to the localities to support our existing businesses. This could change if the pandemic intensifies, which correlates with another shutdown but we are directing people to our website at https://www.hanovervirginia.com/ for valuable resources and programs that are still available at all levels of government.”

In addition to the recently approved CARES-associated small business

funding, Thomas said his office moved quickly to assist county businesses when the crisis began.

“Within a week of the pandemic’s onset, our department moved to create a one stop shop for all available resources at the local, state and federal levels to assist our Hanover businesses.

This website has continued to see high volumes of traffic as we are utilizing our email list serves, social media and online presence to disseminate new information that could be useful to these small business owners,” Thomas said.

In addition, the county has partnered with other localities in the area and ChamberRVA to distribute PPE kits and more than 170 of those kits have been distributed to Hanover businesses.

Local businesses also were heavily involved in those efforts. “Owens & Minor here in Hanover was also instrumental in helping us offset a significant amount of the cost associated with these kits for the entire region!

There are numerous stories of local Hanover companies who have assisted us along the way and we are grateful to you.”

In a time of growing demands for assistance and shrining revenues, Thomas thanked the Board of Supervisors for funding the latest relief effort.

“I commend the Board of Supervisors and the Economic Development Authority for their support of a local small business grant program. If we are able to help one or two of these businesses stay afloat I would consider the program a success,” Thomas said.

Ashland has its own small business relief program for businesses located within the town limits. Applicants should contact the Ashland Economic Development Authority for more information.

“Those industries that may be in the Ashland District but fall outside of the town limits should still apply through the Hanover County Department of Economic Development,” Thomas said.

OPTIONS Continued from pg. 1

fall,” she wrote. “The COVID virus has not gone away. We are still very much in the first wave, and, while the numbers in Hanover are low, they are rising. If schools reopen in August, the numbers will explode.”

Gill said a return to fulltime in class school is the goal, but not at the expense of safety for staff and students.

“We are incredibly eager to see our students and staff return to our buildings, but it has to be done in a safe and responsible manner,” Gill said.

A task force was formed more than a month ago to devise and develop a return to learn plan.

Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Greif said the plan was developed according to state guidelines regarding COVID. The state is currently operating in Phase III, the least restrictive model.

Even in the Phase III mode, there will be changes.

“Our schools will not look like they did last September,” Greif told board members.

Questionnaires were distributed to stakeholders, providing valuable information as the plan developed. More than 11,000 people responded to the survey.

The results revealed that more than 75 percent of Hanover parents preferred a full in class start in the fall, and that majority was even larger when options included a hybrid model, where students attend in class school some days, and learn online the remainder of time.

“We believe having choices for our families is very important,” Greif said.

Providing those options requires consideration of instructional concerns, space

limitations, transportation issues and the emotional well-being and health and safety of students.

The plan approved by board members last week offers parents a choice of attending school five days a week face-to-face, or a fully virtual learning model.

Greif said those virtual models will closely resemble the on-site curriculum and the remote learning will be monitored by teachers with daily interaction with students either by phone or via the internet.

The current plan is designed to address instruction during a Phase III reopening, but also is equipped with built-in flexibility.

“We are ready to be responsive to the choices that the governor makes,” Greif said. “We’re in Phase III right now. If our data changes, or we feel more vulnerable in our community and our state, we might revert back to Phase II or Phase I. We are going to be posited to do that and we are going to be agile to be able to continue providing new instruction for our students.”

In the coming weeks, parents will decide if their students will attend full-time face-to-face instruction or a full virtual instruction program.

Those choices are binding for the semester and students cannot transition back and forth from in-class to virtual learning, but students could choose online learning in the fall and return to in-class training in the spring.

Classrooms will be arranged to allow social distancing, and students will be seated one to each seat on buses to and from school.

Face coverings will be required both on buses and

on school grounds.

Students will pick up meals and return to class to eat; water fountains will be disabled; and parents are encouraged to transport students to and from school. No field trips will be allowed and bus times will be staggered.

No visitors will be allowed for on-campus visits, and hand sanitizing stations will be available in classrooms and other common areas.

Greif said consistency in the online and in-class programs was a key goal in the planning process and remediation and new instruction are included in the return.

Unlike assessments in the spring, students will receive grades in both models and progress will be monitored.

In order to ensure a minimum of amount of student mixing, teams of teachers will transition to classrooms and employ team teaching methods.

If the state returns to either a Phase I or Phase II scenario, Greif said all learning will be remote.

All Hanover students from third grade up are scheduled to receive devices during the upcoming school year.

Supply challenges and shortages could delay delivery of all of those devices, but officials expect the bulk of those laptops will arrive by the start of school on Sept. 8.

Online students will receive those devices first.

Assistant Superintendent Terry Stone said fiscal impacts of the revised instruction plan will be monitored and monthly updates will be provided to the board.

In other matters, current chair John Axselle and vice chair Ola Hawkins were both re-elected to their leadership roles for the upcoming year in the board’s annual reorganization process.

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OPINION

LETTERS

| The Local Views

| Reader Views

From the managing editor

HCSB splits vote; school names changing

By Melody Kinser Managing Editor

W

here do I begin? It’s almost 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, and I’ve been monitoring our Facebook page following the news about the Hanover County School Board voting 4-3 to change the names of Lee-Davis High School and Stonewall Jackson Middle School.

While I had heard the rumor earlier in the day that the vote would go in that direction, I didn’t know what to expect as I waited to hear from Jim Ridolphi, who handles our school board coverage.

Sure enough, Sterling Daniel, Ola Hawkins,

Kelly Evko and Bob Hundley voted to change the names. Opposing the change were George Sutton, John Axselle and Norman Sulser.

I keep checking on the Facebook posts -because, unfortunately, some people are too looselipped with the profanity. Remember, folks, it’s a family newspaper, and our social media adheres to those guidelines too.

Anyway, to my surprise, those who support the changes are vocal on this memorable night.

And there are those already making threats about the next election and removing supervisors who appoint school board members.

I would think the supervisors would have had conversations with their appointees, but that doesn’t

mean any influence was involved.

So, what now? Once names are selected, the student body at each school will be able to determine the mascots.

In all honesty, I don’t have a clue as to what names are being considered -- if they are at this point. Maybe Mechanicsville High School and Mechanicsville Middle School are options.

Some of the comments I’ve read are shocking in terms of the extreme nastiness about this issue. I often wonder if the crude words typed would actually cross the lips of those posting.

Now, we move forward. The vote has been taken and the wheels are in motion for the changes.

Acceptance is the word of the day.

When to return to school may become heated debate

By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist I have a suspicion the conversation regarding how and when to open schools across America will inevitably become more heated and create more division in a country that seems polarized on almost everything.

As a parent, I trust those who have insisted that getting kids back in school full-time can be accomplished safely as genuine. But, I also hear others who contend a normal opening and five-day-

a-week school is like playing Russian Roulette with the well-being of our most prized responsibilities, our children.

Unfortunately, the political implications of either of these positions makes the conversation more difficult, and places parents in the position of questioning the motives of experts.

The confusion extends to higher learning in America, and America’s colleges and universities are struggling to devise plans for reopening. Although the plans are as different as the campuses themselves, it seems many are opting

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Ashland-Hanover Local July 22, 2020

for virtually-based learning when classes begin this fall.

While I acknowledge few benefits from the current uncertainty or K-12 education and the dilemma it presents for parents with kids in those schools, I view the changing and flexibility of colleges and universities more encouraging and perhaps a sign of significant change in the way our children attend postsecondary classes.

There’s no doubt in my mind that the current system of higher education is not sustainable. With rising tuitions that

routinely exceed cost of living markers and a rate of applicants accepted steadily declining, the future of equal access to a college education seemed dismal.

With school systems and colleges across the nation forced into alternative programs that depend on virtual instruction, the process became a learning experience not only for students, but for administrators.

And, certainly, some conclusions are not promising. Recent incidents and reports verify a long-held belief see RETURN, pg. 7

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No evidence to support claim of segregation This is in response to your "No sarcasm" column of July 1, 2020, in which you requested feedback on the names of Stonewall Jackson Middle School and Lee-Davis High School.

Over and over again, I've read that the names of both schools were chosen to reinforce segregation, yet I've never seen any evidence to support that assertion.

I think it is much more probable that the names were chosen because Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson fought in the area -- the battlefields of Beaver Dam Creek, Gaines Mill, and Cold Harbor are only a few miles away -- and because Jefferson Davis visited there during the fighting.

Jackson marched his army down what is now Lee-Davis Road in 1862 on his way to fight at Beaver Dam Creek and Gaines Mill. Lee and Jackson both camped nearby.

In the same way, Battlefield Park Elementary School is so named because it is on a battlefield.

To my knowledge, no one has actually published anything on what the school board -or whatever entity named the schools when they were constructed -- said about their reasons for choosing the names.

Without that, I think it is probable that the names hearken back to a major event in county history, and that no one was trying to send a message about the importance of segregation.

Ben Cleary Mechanicsville see LETTERS, pg. 8

CALENDAR | News, Updates & Listings Monday through Friday, July 27-31

Saturday, Sept. 19 Rescheduled

"Made for More" Children's Day Camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 27-31 at the New Highland Baptist Church at 9200 New Ashcake Rd. in Mechanicsville.

The camp is for children who have completed second grades through sixth grade. Campers will have fun and games, Bible studies and worship. Several fun tracks for campers to choose from. Participants will adhere to COVID-19 guidelines.

Lunch and t-shirt will be provided, as well as protective face coverings and hand sanitizing stations. The fee is $100. Space is limited. Online registration is available at https:// vbsmate.com/events/nhbc/19582.

For more information, contact Eric Smith, children's minister, at 804441-5810.

The Highland Springs High School Class of 1970 will now hold its 50th Reunion at the Hill Building at Sandston Pool, located at 501 Beulah Rd. in Sandston. Music will be presented by DJ Dalton Beagle. Dinner, drinks and dessert will be provided by Champagne Taste Catering. Bring your own mixers and alcohol. Small coolers are welcome. The doors will open at 4 p.m.; cocktails at 5 p.m.; dinner at 6 p.m.; and cleanup will be at 10 p.m.

The cost is $45 per person. Those who may have recently paid $50 after March 1 have been refunded $5. No tickets will be sold at the door. For invitations or more information, contact Bill Brooks at 1970HSHS@gmail.com.

L-DHS Class of ’80 Rescheduled The Reunion Committee for the Lee-Davis High School Class of 1980 has decided to postpone the reunion from June 20 to sometime in September due to the COVID19 situation. More details will be released by the committee as soon as they have been finalized.

RETURN Continued from pg. 6

that online learning does not replace the in-class experience.

Make no mistake, it doesn’t.

But officials also learned that some classes can be effectively administered online, the ones with teacher involvement garnering the best results. Not surprisingly, recent reports confirm that 25 percent of students did not even log in for the final weeks of class. Having sat in class on one of those final days of school, I suspect an equal number of my in-class-

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 804270-9626.

Sundays

Ongoing Families Anonymous Support Group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday at the Episcopal Church of the Creator at 7159 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Mechanicsville. The group is a self-help fellowship for the friends and family members of addicts who are in need of understanding and healing themselves. For details, call Sandy at 804-730-4812 or email sandy.leigh@ verizon.net.

Overcomers Outreach and Women’s Codependency, a Christcentered anonymous support pro-

mates also had checked out mentally for the year.

So, how does this limited experiment in virtual learning at the college level reflect positively on the future of higher learning in America? Well, considering the possibilities of more spaces created at colleges across the country by offering basic classes online or a similar hybrid model, it could open the opportunity of college for many more Americans.

And I don’t know many parents facing college decisions for their children who don’t agree that annually increasing

gram offering hope and healing for recovering alcoholics, addicts and their families meet every Monday at 7 p.m. at the Mechanicsville Christian Center at 8061 Shady Grove Road in Mechanicsville. For more information, call 804-366-9645 or email kjfaith1@gmail.com.

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

tuitions and fees limit possibilities, and maybe perpetuate a system that has long resisted any suggestion of reform.

One thing is for sure: The COVID-19 crisis will drastically affect higher learning in America, and has allowed Americans to question every aspect of the system.

As more and more campuses announce plans to offer virtual-only classes in the fall, more and more applicants are questioning the need for exorbitant tuitions and fees, enrollment models will change.

I’m not sure how any of this

Fax submissions to calendar to 344-8746, email to events@mechlocal.com, or mail to 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd., Mechanicsville VA 23116. Deadline is 1 p.m. Thursday for the following week’s issue. Calendar announcements cannot be taken by phone. We reserve the right to edit all items submitted to The Ashland-Hanover Local.

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 804746-4734.

The Hanover Concert Band rehearses from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. every Tuesday, mid-January through mid December, at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center at 500 S. Railroad Ave. in Ashland, just south of U.S. 54.

Membership is open to anyone who can read music and play a non-string instrument. High school students are welcome with parents’ permission.

For more information, visit www. hanoverconcertband.org or call 804789-0536.

Thursdays The Rotary Club of Ashland meets at noon for lunch at the Iron Horse Restaurant at 100 S. Railroad Ave. in in Ashland. For more information, contact Steve Dunham at 804-496-6093 or sandrdunham@yahoo.com.

Third Mondays The Hanover County Community Services Board meets at 6:30 p.m. at

plays out long-term, and I’m certainly no expert on education. But, like millions of other parents, I’m facing a situation that presents more questions than answers when it comes to schools reopening.

I also acknowledge that some of the lessons learned during this pandemic could offer additional options for how the classroom of the future will actually look.

Like many aspects of our lives, this crisis will result in new normals in all areas of our daily routines. For education, it’s an opportunity to expand

12300 Washington Hwy. in Ashland.

Second Tuesdays Hanover Family Support Group, a support group for family members of a loved one with a mental illness, meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the second Tuesday evening of each month at the Ashland office of Hanover Community Services located at 12300 Washington Highway in Ashland.

Attendees support one another, share experiences, challenges and resources and to advocate for their loved ones.

For more information, contact Kathy Redfearn, LCSW at 804-675-4230.

The Hanover County Historical Society will be conducting free tours of the Old Hanover Courthouse on the Historic Courthouse Green from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every second Tuesday through December. The address is 13182 Hanover Courthouse Road in Hanover.

For more information, visit http://www. hanoverhistorical.org/index.html.

The Clay Spring Garden Club in Ashland meets at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month (except for the month of July at the First Baptist Church in Ashland off of U.S. 54.

Barbara Boor is the president. Doors are open to anyone who would like to attend.

and explore alternative learning models.

None of that discounts the importance of in-person learning in the classroom or the value of dedicated teachers who commit endless hours educating our children.

Remote learning can never

replace the one-on-one interaction between student and teacher, or replace those classroom memories we hold so close to our hearts.

Perhaps, a blend of remote and in-class instruction is a good place to begin -- where it all ends is anybody’s guess.

Got a news tip?

Call Melody Kinser at 804-775-4622 If it’s important to you, it’s important to us!

Ashland-Hanover Local July 22, 2020 7

CARES funding received for HCPS

OBITUARIES | Death Notices & Funerals WALEK, John Paul Jr. "Jack," 83, resident of Smith Mountain Lake in Franklin County, Va., passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, after a short battle with complications from dementia. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara; and his four daughters and their spouses, Lisa and Bill Donovan, Beth and Aubrey Simonds, Suzanne Walek and Alison and Brian Shay of Richmond, Va.; WALEK eight grandchildren, Adam, Benjamin, Jake, Madison, Holly, Sam, Colin and Claire; and five great-grandchildren. Jack was also blessed to have had a large extended family. He was the eldest brother of 11 beloved brothers and

sisters. "Jack" Walek was born on March 14, 1937, to John P. Walek Sr. and Margaret Walek in Butler, N.J. After graduating from Butler High School, Jack worked at Walek's Liquor store with his father. He volunteered in the Butler fire department for many years, and was a member of the National Guard. In 1973, Jack went on to start and successfully run the first Lawn Doctor franchise in Richmond, Virginia for the next 40 years with his wife, Barbara. He retired in 2013 to a beautiful home at Smith Mountain Lake, where he enjoyed boating and fishing with his family. Jack was a self-made man, determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world, something he often mentioned. The world has lost an amazing husband, father, grandfather, friend and story teller. He was a one of a kind that will never be repeated.

OBITUARY SUBMISSIONS Call 804-643-4414, ext. 3 Email: paidnotices@timesdispatch.com Deadline is noon Friday for the following week’s issue.

LETTERS Continued from pg. 6

Christians don’t keep people as possessions (Editor’s note: The following was addressed to Rick Marksbury, Ph.D, whose letter appeared in the July 8, 2020, edition of The Local.)

I agree with you that many throughout history admired Lee's character. But consider his relationship with slavery was something trivial to privileged white society up until recently. Those people never gave it a second thought when considering his character. They only considered his leadership as a general and statesman of which he was outstanding.

As for his status as a Christian, like many today, it was in name only.

I know that a real Christian does not keep people as possessions and fight a bloody war for the right to do so.

As for the relevant history, you

8

point out the platitudes and ignore the relevance of the dark side you'd rather not hear about.

You ask what I know that those leaders you quote did not . . . nothing.

What I do know is the part related to slavery and oppression was not in their thoughts when admiring Lee. It was trivial up till recent times.

And I do have personal feelings, because I'm not ignoring some relevant history, even if it isn't relevant to you and some others. Slavery was evil and is part of his legacy even if some choose to dismiss it.

Robert E. Lee did have some great qualities and can be admired for those qualities, but for too long history has dismissed his and others for their involvement in slavery.

We don't need statues to glorify these people. If we are interested we have access to that history 24/7. It's called the internet.

If we like to see it up close and personal we are surrounded by Civil War historical sites . . . most of which I have visited.

History isn't going away when we

Ashland-Hanover Local July 22, 2020

ASHLAND -- Due to recent action taken by the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, Hanover County Public Schools received $4.1 million in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 funding.

The budget supplement covers qualifying and unexpected expenses between March 1 and Dec. 30 due to the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Purchasing laptops for all high school students and students in grades three through five is a high priority. Middle school students are already scheduled to receive laptops during the 2020-2021 school year as part of the previously approved FY2021 budget.

“We are grateful for the continued support of the board of supervisors and county administration as we work to serve the complex needs of our students, families, and staff during these challenging times. Now more than ever, we must be prepared to quickly pivot and adapt to teaching our students in a rapidly changing environment. These additional funds will allow us to better support student learning, as well as provide for the health and safety needs

take down statues and change names.

It's just going where it belongs -- in the history books and at historical sites.

John Fish Mechanicsville

Responding to letters about school names Here are a couple brief responses from recent letters to the editor regarding school names: Kim Daniels seems intent on dredging up an article from 1956, which she says proves intent to keep schools segregated. Considering, sadly, it was the current law of the day, and you have your own Democratic Party to thank for that.

It took Republicans to pass all meaningful legislation into the 1960s for any kind of racial equality.

Historical side note: Robert E. Lee was not a slave owner and considered it morally repugnant.

of our students and staff to the greatest extent possible,” Dr. Michael Gill, Superintendent of Schools, said.

Securing products that help to support and promote health, hygiene, and social distancing within each school also tops the list.

A few examples include the following: Hand sanitizing stations for classrooms and common areas Classroom and bus sanitizing machines Sick areas for sick students Personal protective and medical equipment (i.e., masks, gloves, face shields, thermometers, folding cots, etc.)

Additional signage encouraging healthy habits, hygiene, and social distancing Mobile food carts Disposable food service trays, utensils, and other items The school division will continue to assess and prioritize additional needs during the summer as work continues to finalize plans for the 2020-2021 school year.

Information submitted by Chris R. Whitley, Hanover County Public Schools public information officer.

Christine Eubanks tells us she has lived all over the country, thus giving her special insight into race relations.

She also enlightens us that Hanover County Public Schools’ names were chosen specifically to deter black people from attending . . . so she’s also a very old expert in city planning.

As part of her civic duty, she even states she specifically searched for homes outside the Lee-Davis School District because of the name. You chose Rutland. I guess that makes you a hypocritical, pandering fabricator of the truth who envisions themselves a city planner with a side gig in race relations. I would like to know how that conversation went with your realtor though.

Harold Ackerman: I made an honest attempt to read your 5th grade book report on Donald Trump. My conclusion: I want those 30 seconds of my life back. So, when you’re done yelling at kids to get off your lawn, go out back and feed the chickens.

The Gold Star though goes to our Hanover County School Board members voting for name changes.

If you were elected because you ran on a conservative platform, you are a coward. And now you’ve proven you will pander to a mostly false narrative.

You’ve now shown you can be manipulated fairly easily. You’ve now admitted a name is all the reason to rewrite history.

You have now set a precedent in Hanover County which states: This board can be convinced to change street names, business names, farm names, statue names or any name deemed by anybody to be offensive.

Are you now prepared to ban certain chapters in history books?

Hanover County, Virginia, history?

Where does it stop?

I doubt many of you actually understand the factual history of slavery in this country. This willful ignorance saddles you with no identity or conviction.

My fear is you’ve set this county up for future failure by capitulating to a mostly false narrative. Get ready, there are many more coming.

John St. George Mechanicsville

Hanover Education Foundation scholarships awarded to Class of 2020 graduates Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com

A

SHLAND -- Scholarships totaling over $190,000 were awarded by the Hanover Education Foundation to 76 seniors in Hanover County Public Schools as they continue to pursue training and educational opportunities beyond high school.

The scholarship, recipient, and school attended are: Alex Moore Memorial Scholarship -- Julia Burns, Hanover High School.

Atlee Lacrosse Scholarship -- Emily Devlin, Atlee High School.

Atlee Raiders Generations Scholarship -Azza Ahmed, Atlee High School.

Ashland Garden Club Scholarship -- Wyatt Stanley, Patrick Henry High School.

Beth O’Brien Hubbard Memorial Scholarship -- Monica Schmitz, Atlee High School; Tre Totten, Hanover High School; Logan Lewis, Lee-Davis High School; and Danielle Robertson, Patrick Henry High School.

Bette J. Harmon Memorial Scholarship -Amanda Robertson, Atlee High School, and Lauren Herndon, Lee-Davis High School.

NAMES Continued from pg. 2

growing chorus for change he has heard in the past several months.

He also recognized the motivation prompting the school name selections. As the new Lee-Davis High School was nearing completion, students at Battlefield Park High School were asked to vote on a new name. They chose Robert E. Lee, but also asked his name be partnered with that of a Hanover teacher who died during World War II, William White.

“It was the school board that decided to link Lee to Jefferson Davis, that choice along with the selection of the mascot, left little doubt as to which part of Lee’s legacy was being honored,” Daniel said.

He also noted the demand to change the names is not a “Johnny-Come- Lately” cause.

“The names have been chal-

Charles Frederick League Future Educator Scholarship -- Alyssa Dickerson, Hanover High School, and Jewel Wagner, Lee-Davis High School.

Christie Minton Peace Scholarship -- Ashtyn Jones and Madison Morris, Lee-Davis High School.

Covenant Woods Community Outreach Scholarship -- Ahmia Dandridge, Atlee High School; Julia Burns, Hanover High School; Makena Salyer, Lee-Davis High School; and Kaitlyn Ahern, Patrick Henry High School.

Derek Crytser Memorial Scholarship -- Kendall Jasinski, Atlee High School, and Kayvon Bagby, Hanover High School.

Doswell Limited Partnership Scholarship -Chanlee Hudson, Lindsey Jones and Savannah Wood, Patrick Henry High School.

Eleanor J. Sydnor Honor Award -- Anderson Bowles and Daniella Macklin-Soto, Patrick Henry High School.

Hanover Foils Scholarship for Engineering -- Russell Brickey, Patrick Henry High School.

Hanover Foils Scholarship for Trade & Technical Careers -- Walker Ryerson, Patrick Henry High School.

lenged at various times since the schools were named more than 50 years ago,” Daniel said.

“I must consider the long fight to keep the names rather than using our time, energy and resources to begin healing the divisiveness now. And it has been divisive . . . for families, siblings, neighbors, friends and alumni . . . and for the school board itself.”

“As a member of the school board, I believe our charge is to provide a safe and supportive environment for all students, so I cannot in good conscience lend my support to maintaining the names,” Daniel said.

Following the board’s vote to rename the schools, Superintendent Michael Gill said a detailed plan for the process would be presented to board members at their August meeting. Naming of Hanover schools is the sole responsibility of the school board.

Gill said the division

James Pierce “Punkie” Kegley Jr., Memorial Scholarship -- Jordan Luedtke and Savannah Wood, Patrick Henry High School.

J.K. Samples Scholarship -- Taylor Bates, Jacob Hoppe and Nathan Nambiar, Atlee High School; Kayvon Bagby, Alyssa Dickerson and Adam Kelly, Hanover High School; Caleb Elkins, Savanah Henley and Emma Lambert, Lee-Davis High School; and Mark Dinger, Jacob Smith and Taylor Woody, Patrick Henry High School.

Kevin Ritz Memorial Scholarship -- Lydia Storey, Lee-Davis High School.

Kings Dominion Scholarship -- Amaya Jackson, Atlee High School; Sadie Flagg, Hanover High School; Amy Proffitt, Lee-Davis High School; and Braeden Ferguson, Patrick Henry High School.

Lee-Davis 1968 Class Scholarship -- Megan Brooks - Lee-Davis High School.

Mario Colon Rivadeneria Memorial Scholarship -- Jordan Goodrich, Lee-Davis High School.

Mason Garrett Kirby Scholarship -- Carson Tribble, Atlee High School.

Richmond East Moose Lodge Scholarship

-- Tyler Waldman - Atlee High School; Savana Watts, Hanover High School; and Jordan Goodrich and Savanah Henley, Lee-Davis High School.

Richmond East Moose Lodge Trades & Technical -- Cady Cordle and Jordan Rozell.

Lee-Davis High School.

Robert W. and Helen M. Parker Scholarship -- Austin Byrd, Justice Derricott, Matthew Gemmill, Sierra Hoefler, Jenna Hughes, Kyle Hudgins, Mia Jackson, Madelyn Jeuick, Kendall Magee, Kayla Maxey, Sydney O’Connell, Josh Pomeroy, Alliyah Satterwhite, Ryan Winegardner and Lena Zheng, Patrick Henry High School.

Rockville Ruritan Club Scholarship -Jaailyah Richards, Patrick Henry High School.

RWM Scholarship -- Sydney Inge, Patrick Henry High School.

Serve and Learn Scholarship -- Mark Isabelle, Atlee High School; Abigail Hoffman, Hanover High School; Abigail Roller, LeeDavis High School; and Bridget Muldowney, Patrick Henry High School.

The Insurance Doctor -- Skylar Cecil, Patrick Henry High School.

Melody Kinser/The Hanover Local

The initials “LD” are vague after being removed on Thursday at what was Lee-Davis High School. The Hanover County School Board voted 4-3 to remove Confederate names for L-DHS and Stonewall Jackson High School. The student body will determine the mascots’ names, replacing Confederates and Rebels.

remains committed to providing an inclusive “non-racist” environment for all students, and, in a letter issued to parents last week, pledged to initiate the name changes as soon as possible.

Two days after the board’s decision, workers arrived and removed monument-style signs

from both campuses, and references to the Confederate leaders were removed from the exterior of buildings.

Gill said school board members would appoint a committee to consider new names at their next meeting, and one name will be recommended for board approval.

“Ashland Theatre After Dark” introduces drive-in movies on Friday and Saturday nights this summer!

Visit our website for details and tickets.

Ashland-Hanover Local July 22, 2020 9

Deadheading plants: horticultural practice has its benefits

By Laura Maxey-Nay Special to The Local Deadheading: Is it legal?

The answer is yes! Not only is deadheading legal — it is a horticulture practice that benefits both annual and perennial plants.

Deadheading, or the act of pinching or cutting back spent flowers, accomplishes three

goals. First, it prolongs blooming period and promotes a second and sometimes even a third round of flowers. Another benefit is seed production prevention. Annuals have goals, and because they bud, bloom, and die in one season, they must produce seeds to replace themselves in the coming year. Removing dead blooms will keep plant energy focused

on roots and flowers instead of seeds. Another bonus of deadheading is visual — plants which do not produce a second flowering begin to look unkempt and downright ratty if the old blooms and some of their stems are not removed.

Perennials also benefit from a good shear of old spent blooms. Like annuals, many perennials such as catmint,

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Ashland-Hanover Local July 22, 2020

Metro Creative Services

coneflower, Shasta daisy, salvia, and tickseed and threadleaf coreopsis will reflower if they are snipped back to side buds, shoots, or branches when flowers fade.

With threadleaf coreopsis, use hedge shears to cut the top third off the plant. However, some perennials will not rebloom if deadheaded. A few of these are astilbe, baptisia, bear’s breech, dianthus, hellebore, iris, lily, peony, and tall sedum. When this group has finished blooming in the fall, leave the flowering stalks intact if they have seed heads, berries, or seedpods, as the birds love them. It’s your choice to cut the entire stalk down to the base or leave the silhouette to admire all winter.

Daylilies are encouraged to rebloom when the spent bloom

is removed and if flower stalks are cut down to the ground after all blooms wither (not the strappy foliage, though).

In fact, the category of daylily rebloomers is growing with heightened interest in hybridizing new cultivars.

A suggestion related to winter arrangements: Some of the skeletons of plants that aren’t deadheaded that still retain seed heads, seedpods, and berries are striking in seasonal bouquets. Coneflower, especially, comes to mind, as well as the stalks of grasses.

And finally, try to remember that deadheading as a practice is not a death sentence.

Instead, it paves the way for more beautiful blossoms and a tidier appearance to the garden that you’ve worked so hard to cultivate.

As Hanover Master Gardeners, we’ll continue to offer science-based gardening information from our LandGrant Universities (Virginia Tech and Virginia State) when you need it.

We can be reached at hanover.master.gardener@ gmail.com and by phone at (804)-752-4310.

Sources: www.missouribotanicalgarden.org., www.finegardening.com, www.gardengate.com.

ARTS

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year until all available funds have been allocated.

To apply for the Arts & Culture Incentive program, businesses must be a qualified arts organization that positively contributes to the spectrum of arts and cultural activities and venues available within the Town of Ashland.

More detailed information on selection criteria and an application can be found at http://ashlandva.gov/.

For more information, contact Matt Reynal, assistant town manager, at mreynal@ ashlandva.gov or 804-7989219.

To learn more about the Town of Ashland, go to http:// ashlandva.gov/.

Continued from pg. 1

grant cannot be overstated,” said Arthur Brill, founder of the Ashland Arts Alliance and owner of Behind the Curtain studio. “Real incentives for artists to open businesses in Arts and Cultural Districts have been missing for nearly a decade. This is a tectonic shift in the arts community.”

Laura Maxey-Nay is the Agriculture & Natural Resources extension agent unit coordinator for the Hanover Extension Office. For more information on the extension office, go to www. ext.vt.edu or https://www.facebook.com/hanovervce.

WE NEED YOUR HELP With the pandemic-related cancellations and delays, we could use your story ideas.

Contact Dave Lawrence at dlawrence@mechlocal.com with your suggestions.

For more information go to www.mechlocal.com

| Youth, High School, College, Recreational & Professional

Barnard continues record-setting paces

By Dave Lawrence Sports Editor MECHANICSVILLE – The Federal Club’s Amanda Barnard has apparently been happy to get back in the water. It certainly seems so with the torrid pace she’s been keeping up the first half of the abbreviated Greater Richmond Aquatic League season.

Two weeks ago, in the first week of competition, Barnard broke three GRAL regularseason records: in the 13-14 girls 100-yard freestyle, the 100 breaststroke and the 50 butterfly.

Last week, in a meet against cross-county competitor Pebble Green, she broke two more: in the 100 individual medley and 100 butterfly.

Her time two weeks ago in the 100 freestyle of 53.72 bested the previous record of 54.71 set by Atlee Recreation Association’s Katie Schroeder on June 14, 2006. Barnard broke the 100 breaststroke record of 1:09.14 set by Fox Hall’s Rebecca Rainer on July 11, 2007, by more than a minute with a time of 1:08.25. Her 50 butterfly time of 26.78 bested that of 27.44 set on July 12, 2017, by Tuckahoe Village-West’s Zoe Dixon.

In last week’s performances, Barnard knocked down a 9-year-old record in the 100 individual medley. The previous mark of 1:02.86 was set by

Football not likely on card for fall

By Tim Pearrell and Eric Kolenich Richmond Times-Dispatch

Joel Klein for The Local

The Federal Club’s Amanda Barnard breaks the GRAL’s 13-14 girls 100-yard butterfly record in a meet Wednesday.

Wyndham’s Sara Luscombe on July 13, 2001. Barnard shattered it by nearly two seconds with a time of 1:00.94. Barnard also broke the 100 butterfly record set by The Dominion Club’s

Ellie Ahmed by more than a second: Ahmed’s record of 1:00.06 was set on July 21, 2017.

Barnard’s time Wednesday was 58.82.

Wednesday, only four of

the five Hanover County teams 19-positive individual. The staff competed: Ashland could not member subsequently tested swim because the Carter Park negative.

The Federal Club outscored Pool was closed temporarily because a staff member had a brief contact with a COVIDsee BARNARD, pg. 12

The Virginia High School League delayed a decision on fall sports until July 27 but offered three plans for consideration, none of which involve playing football this fall.

In discussion among executive committee members, one plan stood out as a favorite of that group.

That plan moves fall sports to the spring and attempts to play all three seasons in a condensed time frame.

The approach buys more time and provides more flexibility with so much uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

“We may be much better off come January than we are now,” VHSL execusee FOOTBALL, pg. 12

Ashland-Hanover Local July 22, 2020

11

BARNARD Continued from pg. 11

Pebble Creek in their meet with 910-717. It was led by 10 quadruple winners: Brannan Agee, Kiersten Armstrong, Lauren Armstrong, Delaney Brown, Charlotte Bruning, Anderson Byrd, Catherine Callihan, Avery Duke, Conner Jorgensen and Sadie Smith.

Amanda Barnard was one of eight triple winners, along with William Barnard III, Taylor Olivia Brown, Lindsey Hair, Maggie McClintock, Leah Sculthorpe, Ford Sprouse and Cooper Waldron.

Pebble Creek was led by a trio of quad winners – Cora Green, William Hulette, Dillon Strohhacker – and 10 triple winners: Cooper Early, Mason Hill, Tyler Hill, Wesley Hill, Jackson Magill, Sydney Minton, Tessa Santelli, Kenzie Strohhacker, Reagan Strohhacker and Jonah Volles.

Burkwood vs. Wyndham Burkwood more than doubled up Wyndham with 1,813 points to 683. Burkwood was led by eight quadruple winners: Faith Baird William Blackwell, William Conlan, Claire Ligday, Mary Jane Ligday, Olivia Midgett, Briggs Zyglocke and Lennon Zyglocke.

The team had a host of triple winners: Braden Amiss, Bret Bednarczyk, Sam Castle, Anna Cross, Natalie Culley, Russell Odor, Chandler Rose, Jacob Rose, and Lilly Zyglocke.

Joel Klein for The Local

Hanover C.C. vs, Raintree Hanover Country Club trailed Raintree in points, worthy performances. It was and Finn Winegardner, Emma Cunningham, Jacob Melanie McAdoo, Sydney 729-858, last week, but the led by a pair of quad win- and a host of triple winners: Droppleman, J.J. Droppleman, McAdoo, Charles Sanders and team had plenty of praise- ners, Robbie Cunningham Ellis Clark, Samantha Cox, Robert Jones, Kaleb Kashinejad, Miller Sweazey.

“We heard a guy at our national conference two weeks Continued from pg. 11 ago speak, a guy from the NCAA, and he actually said tive director Billy Haun said. people should expect Phase 3 to “We may not be better off in last through next summer. He does not see Phase 3 going anyJanuary.

FOOTBALL

12

Ashland-Hanover Local July 22, 2020

where until after the summer of 2021. We may put this off and have this condensed schedule, and even in the spring we may not be able to play the Level 3 athletics. But it does give us the possibility it could change and

be for the better.”

The three models that were proposed were: 1. Leave all sports in their current seasons. Sports considered low- and moderate-risk, such as golf and cross country,

would be allowed to play. Highrisk sports such as football, field hockey, volleyball and cheering would not be played.

2. Switch the fall and spring seasons. Low- and moderaterisk sports allowed to play in the

Top, left William Barnard (left), Josh Hair and Anderson Byrd swim the 11-12 boys 50-yard backstroke at the Federal Club Wednesday. Left, 9-year-old Brannan Agee swims in the 9-10 boys 50-yard butterfly.

Top, 5-year-old Walter Gray enjoys his first competitive 25 yard freestyle event after learning to swim just last month. Middle, Gray seems to enjoy the workout. Bottom, Gray is all smiles after a job well done.

fall would be baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, and track and field. Boys and girls lacrosse, considered high risk, would not be played. see FOOTBALL, pg. 13

FOOTBALL Continued from pg. 12

3. Start play in mid-December with winter sports, followed by fall sports and spring sports, all in compressed seasons.

Winter sports (basketball, gymnastics, indoor track, swimming and diving, and wrestling) would start on Dec. 14 (first contest Dec. 28) and run until Feb. 20. Fall sports (football, competition cheering, cross country, field hockey, golf and volleyball) would run from Feb. 15 (first contest March 1) to May 1. Spring sports (baseball, softball, boys and girls lacrosse, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls tennis, and track and field) would run from April 12 (first contest April 26) to June 26.

Haun said compressing the seasons in the third model means teams probably would play “about 60% of the games they normally would play.” State playoffs could be reduced or eliminated.

Until a decision is made, offseason practices can continue as currently structured.

“I can’t say I’m surprised,” Hopewell football coach Ricky Irby said. “With all the uncertainty that’s going on, I think everybody kind of at least had an inkling that something like this was definitely a strong possibility.”

Irby, whose team won the Class 3 state championship last year and has won two of the past three, has been holding light offseason workouts twice a week. What the Blue Devils do from here, he said, is unknown.

“It’s just an unprecedented time,” he said. “There’s just so much uncertainty you just kind of don’t know what to do right now. The main thing we want to do is make sure our players are safe. When it’s safe and everybody feels like they can get back out on the field. … These kids need football. My heart breaks for our kids.”

During a June meeting, the

league also postponed a decision, saying more time might help with many unknowns: COVID-19 data, social-distancing guidelines, how schools will open and other issues.

The following month didn’t provide much clarity.

Coronaviruses cases in Virginia are increasing slightly, mostly in the eastern part of the state; physical distancing and limits on crowds remain in place for indoor and outdoor sports; and some school districts haven’t announced plans for how they’re going to conduct learning. The Richmond School Board decided Tuesday to have fully virtual learning in the fall instead of in-person instruction.

The first two models have obvious drawbacks. The first allows only competition in golf and cross country. Football would not be played, which seems a nonstarter since it is a major driver for funding athletic departments.

In the second model, boys and girls lacrosse would not compete. If there’s a resurgence of the virus and sports are shut down, “those seasons would be … ended at that point,” Haun said, meaning all spring sports could lose their seasons for the second year in a row.

Haun said getting schools open “would be a big positive before we start trying to mix in scholastic activities.”

Unresolved questions, he said, are how schools will handle sports if they don’t have students in school; practice and transportation issues; and what happens if there’s a COVID-19 outbreak within a school or a team.

P.J. Adams, the football coach at Thomas Jefferson, which will conduct classes online for the fall semester, said he could envision a system in which students are at home for their education and travel to school for sports. Most kids can either get a ride or drive themselves to school.

Home-schooled teams operate with students learning from home while playing sports, he added.

Thomas Dale football coach Kevin Tucker, who is on a football coaches committee, said recently that coaches were in unison wanting to preserve as many regular-season games as possible so their athletes have full or nearly full seasons, everyone can get the same amount of exposure to college recruiters, and schools can help fund their athletic budgets.

If playoffs have to be cut back or cut out, “so be it,” he said.

Haun said one possibility is using a “bowl week” instead of playoffs. Using a point system, the top two teams in a region would be paired, the next two would be paired, and so on, in bowl games.

“That would maximize the number of games we could play in a season,” Haun said.

“It would also give sort of a playoff-type atmosphere, sort of a culminating event to end the season with. And everybody would be involved because if you do playoffs, people get eliminated and aren’t going to get to maximize their full season. With this model, everybody would be in and you’d be matched against somebody who’s playing at the same level.”

“We have to remember nothing is going to be normal,” Haun said. “At some point, we have to be grateful to have the opportunity to do anything, to play anything.

“There’s going to have to be some concessions made. The schedules may not be how we want them, who we’re going to play, how we’re going to play.

But if we can get our kids on the field and participate and have the opportunity for physical and mental health to help them out and be social, provide those opportunities, I think we have to look at that and grasp that and take what we can get and make the best of what we’ve

got.”

Adams, the Thomas Jefferson coach, said he wants to get back to playing football as much as anybody. But he also thinks about his mother, who has been in and out of the hospital lately. He doesn’t want to go coach his football team if it means he might transmit the virus to his mom.

“At the end of the day,” he said, “it’s all about safety.”

While Model 3 received the most attention during Wednesday’s executive com-

mittee meeting, Model 2 received some support as well.

Joe Fowler, the athletics director at Goochland, suggests going with Model 2 now while using Model 3 as a fallback.

Under Model 2, spring sports except for lacrosse would be played this fall. Spring sports were canceled this year, and playing them in the fall would give them an entire season, as opposed to the truncated season proposed in Model 3. If coronavirus conditions worsen, the spring season could be post-

poned until 2021 and played under Model 3.

Using Model 2, Fowler said, allows many of the lowest-risk sports to be played now while the opportunity is here.

The Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association, which governs most of the private schools in the state, has not announced plans for fall sports.

Tim Pearrell can be reached at tpearrell@timesdispatch.com.

Eric Kolenich can be reached at ekolenich@timesdispatch. com.

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Please take notice that on the 4th day of August 2020 at 7:30 p.m. at the regular monthly meeting of the Ashland Town Council, at Ashland Town Hall, 101 Thompson Street, Ashland, VA 23005, a public hearing will be conducted on:

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Ashland-Hanover Local July 22, 2020

A copy of Ordinance No. 2020-07 may be obtained by contacting Town Hall at (804) 798-9219, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Written comments may be submitted to Matt Reynal via e-mail at mreynal@ashlandva.gov or through regular mail to Matt Reynal, Town of Ashland, PO Box 1600, Ashland, VA 23005.

All interested persons may attend and express their views; however, the number of people admitted to Town Hall is may be limited in accordance with CDC and Commonwealth of Virginia guidelines.

Citizens are encouraged to participate electronically; please contact Matt Reynal to make those arrangements. Any person with a disability requiring assistance in order to participate in this public hearing is asked to contact Town Hall in advance of the public hearing so that appropriate arrangements may be made. Following the public hearing, the Ashland Town Council may take action on Ordinance No. 2020-07.

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Fifth grade teacher named Innovator of the Year MONTPELIER – Whitney Wells-Corfield, a fifth grade teacher at South Anna Elementary School (SAES), has been named the 2019-2020 Hanover County Public Schools Innovator of the Year.

The award seeks to encourage and empower teachers to transform learning by continuously challenging, inspiring, and engaging students using new and relevant ideas.

Wells-Corfield received $1,000 from the Hanover Education Foundation and plans to purchase math kits for every grade level to help enhance the level of math station work in SAES classrooms.

She has been employed with Hanover County Public Schools since 2014.

Wells-Corfield encourages her students to be problem solvers and risk-takers. She and her students developed and currently coordinate a math podcast for children, Mic Drop Maths.

Students record each instructional segment with math jokes, book reviews, mathematically-sound lessons, and common misconceptions.

In the process, they reflect on their own understanding of the math concepts and

Whitney Wells-Corfield

engage in public speaking, while also enhancing their interdependency and collaboration skills for a product that has a worldwide audience.

Wells-Corfield said, “Being surprised in this way, with this recognition, is a wonderful honor. I'm beyond grateful for the South Anna administration for creating a culture that encourages innovation; my grade level teammates for their constant collaboration; Lindsey Paulson for not only nominating me, but for helping me bring my seedling ideas to life; and my students for their willingness to try new things, venture out of their comfort zones, and make their own contributions. I'm especially thankful for my husband and kids because, without their constant love and support behind the scenes, my ideas and projects wouldn't be possible.”

Alicia Cecil, SAES principal, said, “We are very proud of Whitney WellsCorfield on receiving the Innovator of the Year award.

Mrs. Wells-Corfield is a passionate, dynamic educator.

It is inspiring to enter her student-centered classroom and witness her students participating in collaborative, hands-on learning experiences. Mrs. WellsCorfield excels at relationship building, encourages risk-taking, and empowers her students. She is always looking for new ways to deliver content. Since joining

our staff this past fall, she has been a tremendous asset to her students, the fifth-grade team, and our school community. Mrs. Wells-Corfield is definitely deserving of this award.”

Each year, HCPS will select one educator for this distinguished award to serve as a role model and ambassador for innovation throughout the division to foster higher student growth and achievement.

Information submitted by Chris R. Whitley, Hanover County Public Schools public information officer.

Photos courtesy of Chris Whitley

Alicia Cecil, left, principal at South Anna Elementary School; joins Dr. Michael Gill, superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools, in recognizing Whitney Wells-Corfield as Innovator of the Year. Above with her family.

Guidelines on enrolling new student, changing address listed ASHLAND – Parents or guardians who need to enroll a new student or report a change of address for the 2020-2021 year for students in Hanover County Public Schools are asked to follow these steps: Print off an enrollment packet on the HCPS website at http://hcps.us/parents_students/student_enrollment or pick it up at any HCPS elementary school.

Mail the completed forms to your home school address (include Attention: Registrar) or Drop off the completed packet at one of the food distribution sites (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) at: John M. Gandy Elementary School, 201 Archie Cannon Drive, Ashland.

Mechanicsville Elementary School, 7425

Mechanicsville Elementary Drive, Mechanicsville.

A summer registrar will reach out to schedule an appointment to complete the registration process.

To report a change of address for a current student, email the summer registrars to schedule an appointment during the division’s summer office hours.

Appointments will be held at The Hanover

Center for Trades and Technology at 10002 Learning Lane in Mechanicsville.

Office hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday (by appointment only).

The phone number is 804-723-2029 and the email is hcpssummerregistrar@hcps.us.

Information submitted by Chris R. Whitley, Hanover County Public Schools public information officer.

Ashland-Hanover Local July 22, 2020 15

EDUCATION | College/University News & Announcements REBECKA HICKS University of Lynchburg (Lynchburg College) is pleased to announce that Rebecka Hicks of Hanover County made the Dean’s List for both the fall 2019 and the Spring 2020 semesters. Students who earn dean’s list honors must be a fulltime student and earn a GPA of 3.5 or greater. Rebecka is a senior pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in Spanish.

KYLE VANDERBUSH ATLANTA, Georgia -- Kyle Vanderbush of Mechanicsville has earned a Master of Science in Analytics from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Vanderbush was among about 4,050 undergraduate and graduate students who earned degrees during the spring 2020 semester. Students were celebrated during a virtual celebration held on May 1. They also will be honored during in-person commencement ceremonies to be held on campus later this year. For more information, visit www.gatech.edu.

CHELSEA M. ROSE CLEMSON, South Carolina -Chelsea M. Rose of Mechanicsville graduated from Clemson University

with a Master of Engineering degree in Biomedical Engineering. Rose was among more than 4,007 students who received degrees awarded in May. MARIA TORSIELLO WILKES-BARRE, Pennsylvania -- Maria Torsiello of Mechanicsville received a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in Pharmacy from Wilkes University.

The degree was one of 720 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees awarded at a virtual degree conferral ceremony held by Wilkes on May 16. A second virtual degree conferral occurred on May 29 for students receiving the Doctor of Pharmacy degree in the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. The virtual degree conferrals was livestreamed from campus.

MADISON DEHAIS WESTMINSTER, Maryland -Madison Dehais of Montpelier has enrolled at McDaniel College as a member of the Class of 2024. This list includes students who have deposited as of June 5. Dehais is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School and plans to study Psychology and Theatre Arts. McDaniel offers access to both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., plus a European campus in Budapest, Hungary. For more

information about McDaniel College, visit www.mcdaniel.edu.

JAKE T. GLASS MARTIN, Tennessee — Jake T. Glass of Ashland has been recognized for outstanding academic achievement of an undergraduate student at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

He was honored with publication of the Spring 2020 Chancellor’s Honor Rolls for the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, College of Business and Global Affairs, College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences and the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. To be eligible for the Chancellor’s Honor Roll recognition at UT Martin, a student must take at least 12 hours of credit (pass-fail courses are not included) and achieve a 3.2 (B) grade point average based on a 4.0 scale. Students can make the Chancellor’s Honor Roll with honors (3.2 through 3.49), high honors (3.5 through 3.79) or highest honors (3.8 through 4.0). Glass was included in the honors group. For more information, visit utm.edu.

JORDAN MAAS ITHACA, New York -- Ithaca

College student Jordan Maas of Mechanicsville was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2020 semester. Jordan Maas is a Cinema & Photography major.

KEALIE ENGELS SPARTANBURG, South Carolina -- Kealie Engels of Mechanicsville has been named to the spring 2020 Dean's List. Engels achieved a 4.0 grade point average (GPA). To be named to the Dean's List, a student must be enrolled for at least 12 semester hours of graded courses and attain a semester grade point average of 3.6 or higher.

WILLIAM BOWLES MELINA DENUNZIO MEGAN KRATZER HIGH POINT, North Carolina – Three Mechanicsville residents have been named to the Dean’s List at High Point University for the spring 2020 semester by maintaining a 3.5 GPA or higher. They are: William Bowles, Melina Denunzio and Megan Kratzer BOBBIE ADSIT EMORY -- Emory & Henry College congratulates the Class of

Virginia Credit Union scholarships awarded to 4 Hanover County students Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com RICHMOND – Virginia Credit Union has awarded $2,500 scholarships to four Hanover County students – Lauren Butler, Emily Durrett, Jordan Rozzell and Isabella Seip -- through its scholarship program for members.

The students were selected on the basis of scholastic achievement, community service, extracurricular activities, an essay, and work to help cover the cost of education.

The Hanover County winners are: Butler, of Ashland, is a junior at Old Dominion University.

16

Durrett, of Hanover, is a graduate of Hanover High School, planning to attend James Madison University.

Rozell, of Hanover, is a graduate of Hanover High School, planning to attend Radford University.

Seip, of Mechanicsville, is a junior at the University of Notre Dame.

Overall, Virginia Credit Union awarded $75,000 in college scholarships to 30 student members through its program.

Virginia Credit Union has awarded nearly $1.3 million in college scholarships to student members since 1991.

A financial cooperative serv-

Ashland-Hanover Local July 22, 2020

2020 on earning their degrees. Bobbie Adsit of Montpelier has earned a BA degree from Emory & Henry College.

KAITLYN ALLEN WESTMINSTER, Maryland -- Kaitlyn Allen of Mechanicsville has been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the McDaniel College Spring 2020 Dean's List with Highest Honors/ Highest honors are earned for a semester grade point average of 3.90 or higher, high honors for a grade point average of 3.70-3.89, and honors for a 3.50-3.69 grade point average. For more information about McDaniel College, visit www.mcdaniel.edu.

KRISTEN SULLIVAN MASON FERGUSON WINCHESTER -- Shenandoah University is recognizing more than 800 students who made the Dean's List for the 2020 spring semester, including Kristen Sullivan of Mechanicsville and Mason Ferguson of Hanover. Students must attain a grade point average of at least 3.50 to be recognized for the honor. For more information, visit su.edu.

Parsons’ Cause Foundation offers online programs Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com

JORDAN ROZZELL

LAUREN BUTLER

ing more than 300,000 members, Virginia Credit Union offers a variety of affordable banking services, loans, mortgages, and free financial education resources, with a focus on helping people be more confi-

dent with their finances.

Virginia Credit Union is an equal housing opportunity lender and is federally insured

by NCUA. For more information, visit www.vacu.org.

HANOVER -- While the Board of Directors of The Parsons' Cause Foundation is disappointed it cannot offer live performances this summer, in lieu thereof members agreed to offer several virtual programs throughout the summer.

The first one was recorded in conjunction with their friends at St. John's Church Foundation. See https://www. historicstjohnschurch.org/ In the program, John Tucker, the president of The Parsons'

Cause Foundation, relates the details of The Parsons' Cause Trial, its historical importance, and the impact it had on the life of Patrick Henry and, in turn, Virginia and the other colonies.

To view the program, go to https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Eefsv8fRwT0.

Look for upcoming programs featuring first-person impressions of Richard Henry Lee, John Chiswell, and Elisa Poe. For more information on The Parsons' Cause Foundation Inc., visit http://www.parsonscause.org/.