Ashland-Hanover Local & Outside Fall Home Improvement– 09/15/2021

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Vol. o 7 No. o 3 | Richmond c o d Su Suburban News | September 15, 2021

Twenty years later, Hanover still remembers 9-11

Smiles tell the story as students return to school

By Jim Ridolphi Ashland-Hanover Local

I

t’s been a busy week for Hanover school superintendent Michael Gill.

After visiting 17 campuses on the first two days of school, he completed his opening day tours with a visit to an additional eight schools as the week progressed.

“It’s the same story in every building,” Gill said.

“The kids, perhaps more than any other year, are just happy to be back around each other and learning, so it has been a very positive start.”

Gill said the smooth opening was assisted by a staggered schedule that welcomed transitional students who were arriving at a campus for the first time or students returning from online instruction a day early in an effort to

Jim Ridolphi/The Local Joel Klein for The Local

Laura Scearce, math coach & Julian Rieder, behavior coach greet students getting off of the bus for first day of school at Cold Harbor Elementary School. See community page 15 for more first day of school photos.

acquaint them with campus layouts and classroom locations.

The practice began last

year when officials weren’t sure what to expect on the first day of school, and principals were concerned regard-

ing social distancing requirements. It was a plan that gained wide praise from parsee SCHOOL, pg. 2

Members of Hanover’s Fire/EMS rang a bell three times signaling the end of service for those who died on Sept. 11, 2001.

By Jim Ridolphi Ashland-Hanover Local Hanover County never forgets.

County administration, elected officials, staff and public safety workers gathered last

week to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice on Sept. 11, 2001. It was a poignant ceremony reflecting on those who sacrificed that eventful day see 9-11 pg. 4

Ashland Town Council considers spending plan for ARPA funds

By Jim Ridolphi Ashland-Hanover Local The Ashland Town Council continued its discussion on how to spend the more than $8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allotted to the Town earlier this year.

Half of that funding has been received, and

the remainder will be forwarded to the Town next June, but a spending plan for those dollars is still under consideration.

Last week, Town Manager Josh Farrar and Assistant Town Manager Matt Reynal presented a preliminary spending plan that outlined a list of projects that could be considered for funding.

The priorities were divided into different

categories, or tiers, and rated, but Farrar only asked for Council’s approval on Tier I recommendations.

The total bill for those recommendations including Tiers 1,2 and 3 was more than $10 million, so Farrar sought Council’s guidance in prioritizing the projects being considered.

Assistant Town Manager Matt Reynal listed

some considerations regarding the ARPA funding.

The Town has three years to expend the funds, so projects can be thoughtfully planned and researched, and utilizing information on how other localities have used the funding could see ARPA pg. 5

Photos Hanover County Public Schools

Above left, Daniel Jones, a fourth-grade teacher at Cool Spring Elementary School, leads a lesson on the first day of school. Above center, Hanover County students are already engaging in deep learning with teachers, like this Battlefield Park Elementary School educator, diving right into meaningful lessons. Students at Mechanicsville Elementary School, (above, right) were welcomed back to school with signs and support from faculty and staff. Below left, Cold Harbor Elementary School Instructional Assistant Dee Dee Allen welcomes a student back to school with a warm hug. Students enter Washington-Henry Elementary School (center) on the first day of school. Dr. Quentin Ballard (right), principal of Bell Creek Middle School, helps direct traffic on Wednesday, Sept. 8, the first day in which all Hanover County Public Schools students attended school.

SCHOOL Continued from pg. 1

ents, teachers and students in its initial year, and officials decided to keep the plan in place for this opening.

“The staggered start was something that we fell into a little bit by necessity last year, and it was intended to just be a one year thing when we originally came up with the idea,” Gill said in an interview last week.

He said the idea allowed the newest students to “be in the building and get used to the building without the other students…. and be comfortable with the class changes, lunch procedures, etc.”

The success of that initial offering prompted officials to consider the same system for this year.

“It worked so well. It was one of those rare things where students, staff, administration and the parents all said it was so nice and worked well…. and it was suggested that we use it every year,” Gill said.

2

Unlike neighboring counties where the majority of students are returning to the classroom after a year of virtual instruction, Hanover had a decided advantage in having a game plan in place for this year’s opening.

The majority of Hanover students received face-to-face instruction last year, one of the only districts in the state to offer parents that option.

“We already had a playbook for this,” Gill said. “We do have a script for this, so to speak. We learned from our experience last year.”

That’s not to say there weren’t challenges as HCPS welcomed 97 percent of students back to the classroom, a significant increase from last year’s 62 percent.

“It was nice already having done this before,” he said. “I sensed a higher level of comfort among our staff as we headed in to this week compared to a year ago at this time.”

Having a playbook does not necessarily ensure success, and Gill said it was a professional and hard working

Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021

staff that made that possible.

“You have to have a team to execute the plays…. and our faculty and staff did a tremendous job, as they always and continue to do,” Gill said.

Gill said the first day of school always provides a fair share of surprises, but noted that no major adjustments were required.

“We’re constantly making adjustments under the best of circumstances,” Gill said. “Fortunately, there wasn’t anything that was not expected in the first few days.”

Like other systems nationwide, Hanover is experiencing a shortage of bus drivers. “We are fortunate our deficits are not as large as some other localities, and we have not experienced significant issues so far.”

Bus schedules always require some adjustment as school begins, and Gill conceded there are “always some hiccups even in the best of years.”

He said there have been some delays in morning and afternoon bus service, and drop off lines at

some schools have been long due to the increased number of parents choosing to provide transportation for their children.

He lauded the bus driv- ers and Transportation Department for their efforts in making this week a success.

Considering the challenges, the amount of unknowns surrounding this year’s first days of school, Gill said he’s relieved and pleased with the results. He didn’t hesitate when considering who gets the credit for all the smiles he witnessed on his tours.

“I will never get tired of singing the praises of our staff,” Gill said. “As the proverb says, it takes a village to raise a child and it has truly taken monumental efforts by our staff and the support of our entire community,” Gill said. “When I go into our buildings, without any exceptions, even though our staff is masked, you can still see they’re smiling. They are happy to have the kids back.”

Joel Klein for The Local

SHERIFF’S REPORTS | Crime, Accidents, Fire & Rescue person was reported in the 11000th block of Parkridge Road, Mechanicsville.

Aug. 13

Petit larceny parts was reported in the 8100th block of Meadowbridge Road, Mechanicsville.

Credit card fraud, $200 in six months was reported in the 6300th block of Lantana Lane, Mechanicsville.

Grand larceny parts was reported in the 7100th block of Garden Park Lane, Mechanicsville.

Grand larceny parts was reported in the 8000th block of Shady Grove Road, Mechanicsville.

Breaking and entering of a house to commit larceny, assault was reported in the 10900th block of Carrolls Way, Glen Allen.

Concealment, price altering merchandise, $500, was reported in the 7400th block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville.

Aug. 15

Aug. 14

Threats in writing was reported in the 2100th block of Old Church Road, Mechanicsville.

Destruction of property, monument was reported in the 8200th block of Ellerson Green Pl, Mechanicsville.

DWI: drugs, first offense was reported in the 8200th block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.

Petit larceny, $500, not from person was reported in the 7200th block of Normans Bridge Road, Hanover.

Simple assault was reported in the 7900th block of Meadow Drive, Mechanicsville.

Trespass after being forbidden to do so was reported in the 9400th block of Kings Charter Drive, Mechanicsville.

Destruction of property, monument, value $1000 was reported in the 7000th block of Calmar Drive, Mechanicsville.

Petit larceny, $500, not from

Driver not reporting accident with damage, $250, was reported in the 7300th block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville.

Grand larceny parts was reported in the 11300th block of Washington Highway, Ashland.

DWI: first offense was reported in the 9800th block of Kings Dominion Boulevard, Doswell.

Violation of protective order (violence), second within 5 years was reported in the 17600th block of Level Drive, Doswell.

Simple assault was reported in the 16000th block of Theme Park Way, Doswell.

Driver not reporting accident with damage, $250, was reported in the 10100th block of Lakeridge Parkway, Ashland.

Improper motorcycle safety equipment was reported in the 9400th block of Lickinghole Road/Air Park Road, Ashland.

Assault and battery on a family member was reported in the 7400th block of Ewell Road, Mechanicsville.

Destruction of property, monument was reported in the 11100th block of Manor View Drive, Mechanicsville.

Obtaining money or signature by false pretenses was reported in the 12100th block of Pinhook Road, Rockville.

Aug. 13

Assault and battery on a family member was reported in the 6300th block of Midnight Drive, Mechanicsville.

Driver not reporting accident with damage, $1,000, was reported in the 8100th block of Mechanicsville Bypass/ Elm Drive, Mechanicsville.

On Sunday, Sept. 5, at approximately 11:44 a.m., Hanover County deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle near the intersection of Old Church and Piping Tree Ferry Roads.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox was traveling northbound on Old Church Road when it crossed the double solid line and collided with a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle with two riders traveling southbound.

The driver of the 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle, Alex F. Ploechinger, 59, Aylett, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The second rider on the motorcycle was transported to VCU Medical Center with serious injuries.

The driver of the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox,

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DWI: first offense was reported in the 10100th block of Kings Dominion Boulevard, Doswell.

Petit larceny, $500, not from person was reported in the 7000th block of Pole Green Road, Mechanicsville.

Destruction of property, monument was reported in the 16600th block of Mountain Road, Montpelier.

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Violation of a protective order (general) was reported in the 6300th block of Midnight Drive, Mechanicsville.

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Assault on law enforcement, court, Department of Corrections, fire or medical personnel was reported in the 7200th block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville.

Driver not reporting accident with damage, $1,000, was reported in the 6600th block of Cold Harbor Road, Mechanicsville.

Aug. 16

Forging was reported in the 9400th block of Charter Gate Drive Mechanicsville.

Edgar R. Gonzalez, 64, Mechanicsville, was uninjured and taken into custody and charged with Driving Under the Influence of Drugs.

Investigators are still collecting information at this time.

The sheriff’s office GONZALEZ extended its deepest condolences to the family of Alex F. Ploechinger and the other injured party during this difficult time.

Information submitted by Lieutenant James Cooper Hanover County Sheriff’s office.

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Concealment, price altering merchandise, $500, was reported in the 7400th block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville.

Manufacture with intent to distribute Schedule VI controlled substances was reported in the 8100th block of Lee-Davis Road, Mechanicsville.

DWI: first offense was reported in the 6200th block of Cold Harbor Road/Watt House Road, Mechanicsville.

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9-11 Continued from pg. 1

that was held in front of the old courthouse in Hanover.

“It was an event that reminds us never to forget,” County Administrator John Budesky told the assembled group. “It is important not only every day but every year to never forget the events of Sept. 11.”

Board of Supervisors chair Sean Davis said the attacks exposed a faction of terrorists that truly hated America and what the country represents.

“They were terrorists who were bent on destroying America and its way of life,” Davis said. “What they didn’t realize is America’s exceptionalism and the love Americans have for their country.”

He noted the first to enter the building after the incidents involved with Sept. 11 were local first responders who did not

hesitate to answer the call.

“Those who responded first were the local heroes. Many of those who ran in that direction knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that one of those runs would be the last run of their lives,” Davis said.

Fire Chief Jethro Piland said this generation will remember Sept. 11 in a similar fashion to the way our parents remember Pearl Harbor Day in 1941.

He said that Tuesday began normally. “In an instant everything changed when we received word that a plane had accidentally crashed into one of the Towers,” Piland said. “As firefighters and EMS personnel, we knew that FDNY and NYPD were going to work.”

Piland said he and his colleagues watched in horror as a second plane struck and the towers eventually collapsed.

“During those tragic times,

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Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021

I witnessed the perseverance and dedication of responders nationwide,” Piland said.

Piland’s department immediately offered assistance to its brethren in Northern Virginia who were fighting the Pentagon blaze.

He noted the bravery of the men who climbed those towers to save others. “I believe that the firefighters climbing the stairs at the Twin Towers knew that they were never going home.”

Sheriff’s Deputy C.T. Woody said he visited the site in New York City about a month after the incident and was moved by the solemn dedication of the workers at the site as they searched for missing remains.

All work stopped each time a victim was discovered. “Every one would stop what they were doing and every victim was shown respect,” he said.

Woody said the efforts of those first responders are credited with saving more than 25,000 lives on that eventful day.

Ashland Police Department Chief Doug Goodman, a Hanover Sheriffs Deputy at the time of the incident, said these memorial celebrations are vital to perpetuating the memories of the fallen heroes. “What I would like to stress is that we need to

Jim Ridolphi/TheLocal

Hanover County hosted a solemn ceremony last week in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, and the first responders and other Americans who lost their lives on a day no one will ever forget.

Attendees stood in silence as the names of almost 3,000 victims were read aloud followed by a final call and the ringing of a ceremonial bell. Ashland and Hanover officials provided remarks at the ceremony in front of the old courthouse.

continue these remembrances because we have a whole generation who were not born when 9-11 happened,” Goodman said. “They need to know that in addition to the lives lost, America lost so much more.”

Goodman said more than 20,000 people have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of the incidents on Sept. 11. “These are first responders and construction workers,” Goodman said.

Among the first responders at the site on or after the attacks, more than 4,600 have subsequently died from cancer as a result of their dedicated and selfless actions on that monumental day.

The name of every victim was read aloud during the ceremony, followed by a final salute to the fallen.

A ceremonial bell was rung three times, signaling the end of their service, and public safety officials placed a wreath at the base of the courthouse.

Jim Ridolphi / The Local

Projects like downtown fencing could be considered for funding with ARPA funds. Town Council will hold a public hearing Sept. 21 regarding ARPA funding and what might be included on that spending list for the more than $8 million received.

APRA Continued from pg. 1

be helpful.

Reynal also said it’s important to consider long term effects of projects being considered such as continuing costs once the funds are depleted. For example, if new positions were created, how would they be funded in future years when ARPA funds were not available.

He also noted that some projects could offset General Fund expenditures, and some grants do not allow ARPA funding to be used as a local match.

He said many requests have been received from organizations regarding possible projects, and those proposals are being evaluated on their eligibility for ARPA funding and effectiveness.

Council has also received a number of ideas from residents on what projects they would like to see funded with the money. They included a new slide for the pool, high speed internet, sidewalk improvements, Parks and Rec and many others, mostly focused on lifestyle issues in the Town.

The Tier I list of projects presented included downtown fencing, HVAC and generator upgrades for the Ashland Police Department, accounting software and expanding downtown Wi-Fi so customers can access the internet without using existing business connections.

A build out of Heritage Park is also included

as well as funding for a new phone system for APD. The largest chunk of those initial recommendations is slotted for premium pay for employees who continued to work during the pandemic.

Funding in Tier I would also enhance and expand the current YMCA/CAHN healthcare program.

Vice Mayor John Hodges said he was not comfortable approving projects not approved in the budget, a process that requires public input and hearings.

“The question that I had in my mind was…. there have been things that have gone through the budget process and things that have not,” Hodges said referring to the Tier I list. “I’m trying to distinguish official actions from what we’d like to do…. because the difference is important in terms of public input and that opportunity.”

Mayor Steve Trivett recommended that staff return with a list that would distinguish what has been approved in the budget and what has not. “I think it’s good to call that out that and be specific,” Trivett said.

Hodges sought clarification on the difference of a budget and a spending plan. For example, the APD generator was not in the budget, but it was on the list for approval at last week’s meeting.

Police Chief Doug Goodman said his department had planned to pay for the new generator through savings in other parts of the budget.

“The item itself has been included in our presentations as this is what we need to save up for,” Goodman said.

Hodges was not convinced that equated to a publicly heard approved budget item.

Farrar described what was proposed at the meeting as a spending plan. Town Council is scheduled to pass a budget amendment at their Sept. 21 meeting.

“I have this vision that the public has input on the budget,” Hodges said. “We may approve $300,000 for sidewalks and decide later how to spend it, but there’s been a budget public hearing in which we said $300,000 is what we’re going to spend on sidewalks “To me it’s simple —if it’s been in the budget in the past, not in a plan or a proposal,” he said.

“You are trying to honor the process of public input, so I appreciate the questions,” Mayor Trivett said.

Farrar said no action would be taken on the spending plan until after a budget amendment was approved at the next meeting. A public hearing on the amendment is also scheduled for that evening.

Farrar said even though no action was being taken at last week’s meeting, Council’s recommendations on the projects listed would assist staff in compiling a final list for approval.

Anita Barnhart said she was not comfortable with the premium pay proposal identified in the Tier 1 list. “I am not comfortable with that figure,” she said, referring to the $972,000 allotment.

Hodges said he’d prefer to see that money go toward more long-term solutions like increased salaries, rather than a one-time bonus of $12,000. “We should try to achieve long-term impacts,” he said.

Council member Kathy Abbott said she would need more information on the Heritage Park buildout as well as the YMCA/CAHN program. “I would like a public nod on this,” she said.

Daniel McGraw said he supported the premium pay proposal but further consideration was needed on the dollar amount.

Hodges said he could have acted on all the

items on the Tier I list with the exception of premium pay, YMCA/CAHN and the park, and Council reached consensus on those three items.

The mayor said he too needed more information on those three projects before he could vote, noting that was not an indication of his support or lack thereof for the projects.

“Certainly if we don’t know enough it’s not right to expect the public to know enough,” Trivett said.

Farrar has scheduled Zoom question and answer sessions to allow the public to gather more information on the proposed ARPA spending plan.

Those sessions are scheduled for: Tuesday, Sept. 28, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. https:// us02web.zoom.us/j/87601987067 Tuesday, Sept. 28, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. https:// us02web.zoom.us/j/89436775643

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Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021 5

CALENDAR

OPINION

| News, Updates & Listings

| The Local Views

The heroes we don’t know

By Jim Ridolphi The Mechanicsville Local Editors note: The following is a column I wrote in 2017.

On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, it is, indeed, a story worth re-telling.

Like most Americans, I was unacquainted with the name Welles Crowther when I first heard it last week.

While flipping through the channels, I stopped on a Boston College football game and noticed that almost everyone in the stands was wearing a red bandana.

I stayed on the channel hoping the announcers would mention the obvious unified fashion statement and quickly learned those red handkerchiefs symbolized much more than just a garment.

I learned a story that I’m sure I cannot relay as well as Tom Rinaldi does in his book The Red Bandana, or the subtle dignity that ESPN accomplished with their short peace on the 24-year-old former Boston College lacrosse player.

But, it’s a story worth retelling, and hopefully, a story worth hearing and remembering. It’s hard to locate anyone of age who doesn’t remember where they were on September 11, 2001.

Welles Crowther found himself on the 104th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center. The 24-year old equities trader was unaware that the next minutes of his life would be his last; and also unaware of the legacy he would leave.

As a Boston College lacrosse player, Crowther was known for wearing a bright red bandana, an accessory he began wearing as a six-year old when his father presented him with what become his landmark identifier.

Crowther joined the Nyack, NY Fire Department as a volunteer at age 16, and later attended Boston College and played on the school’s lacrosse team, always recognizable by the red bandana.

After graduation in 1999, Crowther took a job in New York and was at his desk when the second plane slammed into the South Tower, stranding a group of desperate survivors, many badly injured.

Crowther appeared to lead them to the stairs and eventual safety on the 40th floor where working elevators completed their evacuation.

When Crowther handed off the group to firefighters on the 60th floor, he turned and headed back up the stairs.

He returned and assisted others who were injured or stranded, directing them to the only working staircase in the building. That’s what he was doing when the tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m.

Crowther’s body was recovered days after the attack lying beside uniformed firefighters, but his parents knew nothing of his heroic last moments. As his mother read a newspaper story recounting the stories of survivors as they told of a man who appeared from nowhere and saved their lives…. And wearing a red bandana. His mother immediately knew it was her son.

She confirmed what her heart told her was true by contacting the survivors in the story and showing them pictures of her son. They immediately identified him as their mysterious savior.

Since his death, red bandanas have shown up across the globe, have been worn by Olympic athletes, and each year, worn by thousands as they compete in the Red Bandana 5K. Add to that the more than 50,000 who wore or waved handkerchiefs at that football game last week, and the legacy of Welles Crowther and the dozen individuals he saved in that burning tower lives on.

At the end of the ESPN piece, the narrator asks, “What would you do in the last hour of your life?”

Who knows the answer to that question, but I have a hunch that Welles Crowther had a good idea as he picked up a fire helmet and began doing something he’d done all of his life — helping others.

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Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021

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 AshlandHanover Local.

Friday, Sept. 17 & Saturday, Sept. 18 Catholic Church of the Redeemer is expanding it’s annual giant indoor “Yard Sale for Haiti” to 2 days this year. The sale will be held Fri., 9/17 from 2 to 6 p.m. and Sat., 9/18 from 7 a.m. to 12 noon at 8275 Meadowbridge Rd. in Mechanicsville. All proceeds fund their ministry with Haiti.

Accepting donations Mon., Sept.

13 to Wed., Sept. 15. Visit their website for more information https://www.churchredeemer. org/Haiti-Ministry.

Saturday, Sept. 18 A book signing will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Books Beads & More, at 8106 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Mechanicsville. Melissa Seeley Face, author of “I Love You More Than Coffee”, an essay collection for parents who love coffee a lot and their kids … a little more.

Her essays and articles have appeared in Richmond Family Magazine, Tidewater Family Magazine, Scary Mommy, and 24 volumes of Chicken Soup for

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: 344-8746 E-mail: editor@mechlocal.com © 2021 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.

the Soul. She lives in Prince George and teaches world literature at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology.

Monday, Sept. 20 The Pamunkey Woman’s Club will hold its kick-off meeting of the new club year on at our their meeting time of 1 p.m. with lunch on the veranda at the Henry Clay Inn, followed by a business meeting. For more information about the meeting or becoming a club member, contact Cindy Modzelewski, club membership chairman at 366-0864 or look us up at facebook.com/pamunkeywc.

Tuesday, Sept. 21 The Mechanicsville TEA Party meeting begin at 7 pm. at Freedom Services and Training, 8162 Elm Drive in Mechanicsville. The main topic for September will be about the horrific conditions certain inmates are being subjected to in a prison not far from here. This is an issue that should concern every American regardless of political affiliation. If you have any questions, contact Glenn Baker at 804-752-8389. If he does not answer, please leave a message.

Thursday, Sept. 23 As part of Hanover County’s 300th Birthday celebration, County Administrator John A. Budesky and former Planning Director (and current Ashland Town Council member) John H. Hodges will participate in a moderated community conversation about the changes in Hanover County. This event will begin 7 p.m. at Hanover Tavern and will be replayed on a recurring basis in the Hanover Museum of History & Culture. see CALENDAR, pg. 15

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Hanover: Just a two stoplight county

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hen John Hodges, now retired Deputy County Administrator, came to Hanover County in 1980, there were just two stoplights in the County. Join us on Thursday, Sept.

23 at 7 p.m., when Hodges takes a look back at change in Hanover, and John Budesky, Hanover County Administrator, takes a look forward.

They will share their insights and stories about Hanover County’s changing landscape, in a conversation moderated by Dr. Jamelle Wilson, former Hanover County Public Schools Superintendent. The Hanover Museum of History and Culture and the Ashland Museum will co-host this program to be held at the Hanover Tavern.

The program is free, but reservations are required. Seating is limited. Masks are required inside the Tavern. The Hanover Tavern is located at 13181 Hanover Courthouse Rd. (Route 301), Hanover, VA 23069. To make a reservation, email the Ashland Museum at ashlandmuseum@comcast.net. You will receive a con-

firmation of your reservation. For information, contact the Ashland Museum at ashlandmuseum@comcast.net or 804-368-7413.

The Ashland Museum and the Hanover Museum of History and Culture partnered to bring the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street traveling exhibition Crossroads: Change in Rural America to Hanover County, the first of six Virginia stops. This event is part of our local programming for the exhibition.

The exhibition is at the Hanover Museum of History and Culture, 7496 County Complex Rd., Hanover, VA 23069, until October 3.

Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday: noon to 4 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday: 1 to 4 p.m., and by appointment.

Americans have relied on rural crossroads for generations. Crossroads explores how rural American communities changed in the 20th century. Join the conversation as we explore what the future may hold for our County.

Information submitted by The Ashland Museum.

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Sports

UPCOMING EVENTS

09

16 2021

Girls volleyball: Mechanicsville at Patrick Henry 7:00 p.m.

09

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Prep football Patrick Henry at Deep Run 7:00 p.m.

| Youth, High School, College, Recreational & Professional

Raiders’ rushing assault grounds Eagles

By Weldon Bradshaw for the Times-Dispatch RICHMOND – Caleb Warren’s smile spoke volumes.

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Atlee High School running back had just rushed 21 times for 203 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Raiders to a 27-7 victory over Mills Godwin Friday night at Axselle Stadium, and now, when asked to reflect upon his performance, he offered thanks to the crew that made it possible.

“First,” he said without hesitation, “I give credit to my O-line for opening the holes for me and allowing me to gain that many yards.”

He went on to explain that the Eagles, who stacked the box in an effort to thwart the visitors’ ram-it-down-your-throat running game, appeared to blitz defenders in a manner that allowed the Raiders’ forward wall to fend them off, thereby providing alleys for him and Keith Green (13 carries, 113 yards) into the open spaces of the secondary.

Who are those big guys who labor, often in anonymity, in the trenches?

Enabling the Raiders to dominate the line of scrimmage and establish the run were tackles Zedric Hayes and Matthew Sharp, guards Owen Ham and Brock Taylor, center Mason Myers and tight end Zion Bryson.

“We have a lot of good leaders on this football team, a lot of high-character guys,” said Atlee

8

Panthers squeak by Patriots in OT

By Zach Joachim and Lily Betts Richmond Times-Dispatch

Joel Klein for The Local

Atlee running back Keith Green finds an open path to the end zone as he scores from 16-yards out in the Raiders’ 27-7 win Friday.

coach Matt Gray, whose squad improved to 3-0. “They try to do things the right way. Our focus going in is to be the best we can be. They prepared well.

I’m really proud of the guys.”

Green, a 6-1, 205-pound senior, scored the Raiders’ first touchdown on a 16-yard run with 16.8 seconds left in the half to culminate a five-play, 80-yard drive. Zach Tschantre added the point-after.

The Eagles (0-2) responded quickly when quarterback Luke Calveric, on first-and-10 on his 40, threw deep to Justin Harris,

Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021

who hauled in the pass in traffic and raced the final 15 yards to the house 4.7 seconds before halftime. Matthew Gavin’s PAT sent Godwin into the break tied and, it seemed, with a modicum of momentum.

It was the Raiders, though, who returned to the glistening turf as if on a mission.

Their first drive (seven plays, 57 yards) ended with Green’s 13-yard run off the right side at 7:23 of the third quarter.

After their defense stopped the Eagles in the red zone, they responded with an eight-play,

80-yard drive which ended with Warren’s 10-yard TD run 23 seconds into the fourth quarter.

As the plucky Eagles did all within their power to defend the run, Atlee traveled 73 yards in nine plays, the last a 1-yard run off the left side by Warren 2:03 from the end.

The Raiders amassed 344 yards (323 by land, 21 by air) and 16 first downs. They surrendered 299 yards (116 rushing, 183 passing) and 11 first downs.

“We wanted to stop the run,” said Green, who plays free safe-

ty. “Once we get that straight, we wanted to establish stopping the pass. I give credit to our linebackers. They were flying around the field. Our D-line too.

“They [the Eagles] weren’t running much. They found some little gaps, but we shifted and stopped everything.”

Godwin threw for 183 yards, he was reminded.

“We ran for more,” he responded with a laugh.

Weldon Bradshaw can be reached at sports@mechlocal. com.

HENRICO – On a fourth-and-goal in overtime with the game on the line, Hermitage quarterback Jaylen Burton barbecued the Patrick Henry defense all the way to Buffalo Wild Wings, his kicker’s favorite restaurant.

“I told him we gonna go to B-Dubs tonight,” Burton said of his encouragement to his kicker, Braden Meginity, after Burton’s 6-yard touchdown scamper set up Meginity’s gamewinning extra point to give No. 9 Hermitage a 27-26 victory over No. 5 Patrick Henry Friday night.

Minutes earlier, Meginity missed a gamewinning field goal as regulation expired.

“It was a lot of pressure, but they just teach you if you miss the kick, forget it.

If you make mistakes, gotta see PATRIOTS, pg. 9

PATRIOTS Continued from pg. 8

pick your head up,” Meginity said after his team mobbed him at midfield.

“There’s always going to be another kick in front of you.”

Burton was getting barbecue wings, and Meginity said he’d down 20 mild.

“I will never lose trust in my brothers,” Burton said of what went through his head as he shimmied and shaked his way to the end zone.

The path traveled to Burton and Meginity’s heroics was a winding, disjointed one full of momentum swings and a whopping 22 penalties.

A crowd of 1,000-plus filled Hermitage’s historic Chester E. Fritz Stadium, and the Panthers entered to a roaring ovation for their first game of the season after three consecutive postponements.

The game was agreed upon between the two schools earlier in the week after both of their opponents postponed the originally scheduled contests. It also was the first game for new Panthers coach Timothy JeanPierre, who played at Hermitage in the early 2000s.

Hermitage jumped to a 7-0 lead on the first drive of the game when Brailen Jones blocked a Patriots punt and wrestled the ball from a scrum to take it back 31 yards to the end zone.

But Patrick Henry (1-1) controlled the flow of the game for much of the first half behind freshman phenom Dashawn Green, a shifty running back with explosive speed. He carried 30 times for 225 yards and three touchdowns.

Green had a 38-yard score in the second quarter, and PH quarterback Jordan Allen added a 4-yard TD run to give the Patriots a 12-7 lead late in the second quarter.

But Burton engineered an 11-play scoring drive in the final minutes of the half, with

Alexa Welch Edlund/Times-Dispatch

Patrick Henry’s Jordan Allen avoids a tackle by Hermitage’s Corey Morton in the Patriots’ 27-26 overtime loss Friday.

lots of help from his primary target, receiver Jhakiri Bolden (7 catches, 96 yards). That drive ended in a 12-yard TD pass from Burton to running back Jeremiah Coney, and the Panthers took a 13-12 lead into the break.

That score held until early in the fourth quarter, when Burton showed off his escapability on a vital third-and-13 at the PH 43. A great thrower on the run, Burton eluded defenders to fire a pretty 40-yard bomb to Bolden. Coney plunged in from 3 yards out to make it 20-12.

But just five plays later, Green got loose off right tackle and ran 45 yards untouched to the house. Allen found Jayden Mines just over the left pylon

for the 2-point conversion to knot things at 20-all.

Behind Coney and Burton, Hermitage marched 79 yards in 12 plays as the clock wound down, setting up a field goal to win it from the 14-yard line.

As the kick sailed wide left, the Patriots sideline exploded, and Panther heads sank into hands in the stands and all over the field.

But Burton rallied the troops, Meginity picked himself up, and the Panthers claimed the win.

Mavericks slip by Mustangs MECHANICSVILLE – When Douglas Freeman broke into the T-D Top 10 last week, it was on the heels of a 37-9

win against James River where quarterback Owen Fallen threw for five touchdowns.

With their 21-6 win against Mechanicsville during Friday night’s game, the Mavericks (3-0) proved themselves to be a dynamic threat. Of their 393 total offensive yards, Douglas Freeman’s rushers were responsible for 269.

Senior running back Bradley Perkins — in a breakout season following a series of injuries that kept him out of play for most of the past two years — led the way with 189 yards and two scores in 14 carries.

Along with a firing offense, Douglas Freeman coach George Bland highlighted a steady defense that kept the Mustangs

(1-2) off the scoreboard until the final seconds of the game.

“Our defense was on all night, and our offensive line really answered a challenge to keep our running game going,” Bland said.

Bland’s O-line boasts two of three returning offensive starters in center Alex Braun and lineman Eddie Allen. The rest of its go-tos are in their first year of varsity football. While they had the potential to be speedy and effective, doing it in-game is what counts.

So far, it’s all working out for the Mavericks.

Along with the serious threats that Fallen and Perkins posed, the team’s options ran deep and confident enough

to keep the Mustangs’ defense guessing.

This was displayed in Douglas Freeman’s second touchdown of the night, when Farrell drove his corps forward in a quick series of plays that ended with a trick play that easily ushered him into the end zone.

Bland said that he wasn’t surprised by his team’s skill but that the cohesion they’ve found has boosted their play to another level.

“We’re really coming together as a team. … Big guys are making big plays when we need them most,” Bland said. “It’s certainly nice as a play caller to be able to put together some explosive plays, something we’ve missed in the past.”

And while the Mavericks kept the Mustangs defense busy, it wasn’t until late in the fourth quarter that they managed to collect a tally.

A controversial pass interference call brought Mechanicsville to within 12 yards, and after a moment’s scramble, quarterback Jordan Callahan beat the final buzzer with a pass to Josh Morris, ruining the visitor’s hope for a shutout.

While the Mustangs don’t have much to show on the stats sheet, they played a steady game but couldn’t produce the breakout moments that boosted the Mavericks.

“You’ve got to hand it to [Mechanicsville] Coach Turnage, his game plan was excellent and they did a great job over there,” Bland said.

“We always know that the Mechanicsville team is going to be very well-coached, and we were just able to make a few big plays.”

Douglas Freeman is set to face off against an undefeated Atlee team next week, while Mechanicsville has a bye before it takes the field against Varina.

Zach Joachim can be reached at zjoachim@timesdispatch.com.

Lily Betts can be reached at lbetts@timesdispatch.com.

Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021 9

R-MC uses aerial attack to whip Catholic

By Rob Witham for The Local ASHLAND – Throughout his 18-year tenure as head coach of Randolph-Macon’s football team, Pedro Arruza has fielded teams known for their toughness, featuring a grinding offense that wears down opponents and chews up the clock.

But now, you can add “field stretchers” to their resume, as the Yellow Jackets scored on passing plays of 70, 59, 94 and 85 yards to rout the Catholic University Cardinals 62-10 on Saturday in front of a packed house at Day Field. RandolphMacon moves to 2-0 as they prepare for Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play, which begins next week at Bridgewater.

“It looked like we gave good effort. We still made some pretty big mistakes,” Yellow Jackets head coach Pedro Arruza noted. “We’ve obviously got a lot of things to clean up.”

A major reason why Arruza became the winningest coach in Randolph-Macon history Saturday with 106 wins – surpassing the late Ted Keller – is his ability to stay laser focused on the bigger picture. For the second straight week, starting quarterback Presley Egbers threw an interception in the red zone. A Kyle Ringley interception on the second play of the third quarter was negated by an offside penalty.

The Cardinals proceeded to drive for a field goal to cut the 28-7 halftime margin to 28-10. It seems inconsequential to many looking back, but a similar situation against top Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) foes down the road, beginning Saturday at Bridgewater, could be costly.

But no one can blame the Yellow Jacket faithful for beam-

10

Joel Klein for The Local

Randolph-Macon running back Aaron Acevedo runs over Catholic defensive back Matt Grant for a 17-yard gain to the Catholic 3.

Acevedo carried the ball 10 times for 56 yards in the Yellow Jackets’ 62-10 victory over the Cardinals Saturday at Day Field.

ing with pride as Egbers passed for three touchdowns, including a perfectly executed 59-yard screen pass to ODAC Offensive Player of The Week Justin DeLeon (Powhatan) to extend the lead to 35-10 midway through the third period. After DeLeon scored on a one-yard run to begin the game, Egbers connected with the speedy David Wallis on a 70-yard strike

Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021

for a 14-0 advantage less than 10 minutes into the contest.

Catholic quarterback Madden Lowe, who threw five touchdown passes in the Cardinals’ opening win over McDaniel, found Preston Jeffrey on the first play of the second period for a 17-yard touchdown reception. But RandolphMacon (2-0) answered with an 11-play drive, capped by an

Egbers pass to Holden Hodge for a score. Then, just before halftime, DeLeon raced 10 yards into the end zone to put the lead at 21 at intermission.

After an Owen Arruza interception at the Catholic 33 with 5:52 left in the third quarter, Coach Arruza switched to Brecht Heuchan under center.

The first five play calls were passes to move the Yellow

Jackets into the red zone, where tailback Kwesi Clarke scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 10-yard run.

After the Cardinals were stopped on fourth down at the Randolph-Macon 5, Huechan, on second down unloaded a bomb to Zach Bowman, who beat two Catholic defenders for a 94-yard touchdown, the longest for Randolph-Macon since

a 95-yard touchdown pass from John Buehler to Jeff Hutchinson in the 1976 version of “The Game” against HampdenSydney.

For an encore, the next drive featured Heuchan finding Dallas Holmes over the middle on a 17-yard pass. The ball was punched out of his hands by James Campione, but it bounced off the turf back into Holmes’ possession, and he raced the final 63 yards for what ended up being an 85-yard touchdown.

Egbers threw for 230 yards, Heuchan for 213. On the afternoon, the Yellow Jackets amassed 694 yards of total offense on 69 plays, an average of 10.1 yards per play. DeLeon, who now leads the ODAC in rushing with 229 yards, ended with 106 on the ground Saturday, his second 100-yard performance of the young season.

“I came in at halftime and told the older guys, if you guys care about your teammates and want them to play, let’s take care of business so we don’t get into a deal where this is a game in the fourth quarter,” Arruza explained when asked about the decision to liberally substitute on both sides of the ball late in the third period.

“It was good to get evaluation on some guys, it was good to get some guys some game experience,” Arruza said. “We’re going to need for some of those guys to play for us down the stretch.”

The defense held Catholic to 30 rushing yards, and, while Lowe threw for 290 yards, many of his 33 completions were kept in front of the secondary, limiting the Cardinals’ big play ability.

Next, it is a battle of the see WHIP, pg. 11

Truex overcomes error, wins at Richmond

By Nick Vandeloecht Richmond Suburban News RICHMOND – After a hot start to the season that saw him win three of the NASCAR Cup Series’ first 12 races in the 2021 regular season, Martin Truex Jr. reasserted himself as one of the championship favorites when he overtook Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch in the final stage and went on to win the Federated Auto Parts 400, the second race in the opening Round of 16 in the Cup Series’ playoffs, at Richmond Raceway Saturday.

Truex and Chesterfield native Hamlin, who took second in the race and won at Darlington last week, are both locked into the Round of 12.

Christopher Bell made it a 1-2-3 finish for Joe Gibbs Racing for the second time in three seasons at Richmond Raceway in the Cup Series.

Chase Elliott bounced back from a rough pit stop in the second stage to place fourth and Joey Logano rounded out the top five.

Kyle Larson, who started the race in the back because of failing prerace tech twice, rose through the field before settling into sixth. Ross Chastain was the highest-placing non-playoff driver with a finish of seventh.

Kevin Harvick, who consistently rode in the top 10 throughout the entire night, came home eighth.

Kyle Busch early in the race was penalized for equipment interference when a tire on his pit stop got away from his crew and rolled into another team’s pit stall. He bounced back, briefly leading before falling behind Truex with less than 60 laps to go, and then losing multiple spots on a penalty for speeding on pit road. He ultimately salvaged a ninth-place run to put all four JGR Toyotas

James Wallace/Times-Dispatch

Martin Truex Jr. celebrates in victory lane after winning the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway Saturday night.

For more NASCAR coverage, go to https://richmond.com/community/mechanicsville-local/ inside the top 10.

Ryan Blaney rounded out the top 10.

After nine playoff drivers finished outside of the top 15 last week at Darlington, 13 placed in the top 15 on Saturday.

Finishing 12th through 15th were Alex Bowman, Brad Keselowski, Aric Almirola and Tyler Reddick. William Byron finished 19th.

After going winless in the first 80 short-track races of his Cup career, Truex has now won six of the last 13, including three of the last five races at Richmond. All four of Truex’s Cup wins this year have come on racetracks that utilize the 750-horsepower package. The series will revisit two of the four tracks where he’s won:

Martinsville for the penultimate race and Phoenix for the championship race.

Truex got black-flagged in the opening circuits after beating Hamlin, the leader for the start of the race, to the startfinish line. Truex had to serve the penalty on pit road, but the competition caution helped him regroup with the field, and he proceeded to work his way up to eighth place by the end of Stage 1, which was won by Hamlin.

“That was frustrating, I’m not going to lie, but I knew we’d have a good-enough car to (overcome) it. It felt pretty good those first couple of laps,” Truex said in his televised postrace interview. “Just one of those things: you’ve got to put it out

of your mind and you’ve got to go race and we knew there was a lot on the line tonight.”

The Stage 2 lead bounced between Hamlin and Chase Elliott, but an issue on the pit stop with less than 60 to go in the segment knocked Elliott outside of the top 10 and initially put him a lap down. Hamlin from there was able to complete the stage sweep uncontested.

In the early part of the final stage, Truex overtook Hamlin on lap 268, and then traded the lead with Kyle Busch on consecutive pit stops before holding off a hard-charging Hamlin across the final 54 circuits.

Truex’s triumph came on the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

“It’s an important day in our history, and I think all of us

here, we’re proud to win, and this car’s amazing, and there’s so many people to thank, but what a day to win on. It reminds you the honor it is – the privilege it is – to get to come out here and do this,” Truex said in his televised postrace interview.

“We couldn’t do any of these kind of things without the men and women that take care of us and all the first responders, police officers, firefighters, the military – you name it. NASCAR’s very patriotic, we’re very proud…very proud of everybody to be able to do this today.”

Hard-hitting misfortune found Kurt Busch early in the race. Busch was battling on the outside of Blaney for third place when his left rear tire went down, sending his No. 1 Monster Energy Chevrolet Camaro rear-first into the outside wall through turns 1 and 2.

Busch excited the race in 37th place, and the DNF dropped

him down to 12th in playoff standings where he is tied in points with Alex Bowman.

Michael McDowell’s struggles in his first year as a playoff contender continued as he got hit with three speeding penalties on pit road. McDowell never recovered, finishing 28th.

Larson holds the points lead after Saturday’s race.

Sitting fourth through 12th behind the top three of Larson, Hamlin and Truex are Logano, Blaney, Harvick, Ellliott, Bell, Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Almirola and Kurt Busch.

The four drivers currently below the cutline in 13th through 16th are Bowman, Reddick, Byron and McDowell.

The Round of 16 wraps up next Saturday with the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at the half-mile oval of Bristol Motor Speedway. The race will air on NBCSN at 7:30 p.m.

Nick Vandeloecht is sports editor of Powhatan Today and Goochland Gazette. He can be reached at nvandeloecht@powhatantoday.com.

WHIP Continued from pg. 10

last two conference champions. The last time RandolphMacon traveled to Bridgewater in November, 2019, they lost what was the de facto ODAC championship game. The Yellow Jackets won the title in the abbreviated 2020 season held last spring.

When asked if the team might get overconfident after Saturday’s win, the head coach noted his solution.

“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem,” Arruza said. “I’m going to take care of that tomorrow (Sunday).”

Rob Witham can be reached at sports@mechlocal.com.

Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021 11

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HANOVER COUNTY PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING COOL SPRING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS Hanover County will be holding a public information meeting on Monday, September 27, 2021, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Atlee Library, 9212 Rutlandshire Dr, Mechanicsville, VA, to present information regarding proposed Cool Spring Elementary School pedestrian improvements. The purpose of this meeting is to present the preliminary design which includes sidewalks, ADA compliant ramp connections, a median and pedestrian refuge on Honey Meadows Dr, and two high visibility crosswalks.

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PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Hanover County Board of Supervisors has set Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 6:00 P.M., or as soon thereafter as the Board’s consideration of the administrative agenda permits, 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: CUP2021-00011, SHALOM BAPTIST CHURCH Request(s) to amend CUP-3-16, in accordance with Section 26-20.21 of the Hanover County Zoning Ordinance, to amend the sketch plan on GPIN 8735-11-1743, consisting of approximately 29.81 acres, zoned A-1, Agricultural District, and located on the east line of Walnut Grove Road (State Route 615) at its intersection with Northfall Creek Parkway (State Route 2139). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Agricultural. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Cold Harbor CUP2021-00009, SUZANNE WHITMAN SCALONE Request(s) a Conditional Use Permit in accordance with Section 26-20.14 of the Hanover County Zoning Ordinance to permit an event venue on GPIN 7871-77-5718, consisting of approximately 60.28 acres (CUP area limited to 4.87 acres), zoned A-1, Agricultural District, and located on the north line of Cross Corner Road (State Route 641) approximately 1,950 feet west of its intersection with Washington Highway (U.S. Route 1). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Agricultural. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Beaverdam SE2021-00020, TRUSTEES OF MECHANICSVILLE CHURCH OF CHRIST Request(s) a Special Exception Permit in accordance with Section 3.6.1(i) of the Hanover County Zoning Ordinance (Repealed R-1 District) to permit two (2) temporary modular classroom trailers on GPIN 8705-50-5896, consisting of approximately 9.57 acres, zoned R-1, Single Family Residential District, and located on the south line of Atlee Road (State Route 638) at its intersection with Carter Lane (State Route 1419). (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Mechanicsville OOV2021-00002, GILES FARM, SECTION 2B Requests an Ordinance of Vacation in accordance with Section 15.2-2272, Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, to vacate a portion of a 20-foot drainage easement, in the Giles Farm subdivision, Section 2B, as shown on the plat prepared by Balzer and Associates, recorded January 31, 2020, in Plat Book 45, Page 211, in the office of the Clerk of the Hanover County Circuit Court, on the parcels designated as GPINs 7796-73-3737 and 7796-73-4729. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Chickahominy OOV2021-00003, GILES FARM, SECTION 8 Requests an Ordinance of Vacation in accordance with Section 15.2-2272, Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, to vacate a portion of a 12-foot and a 20-foot drainage easement, in the Giles Farm subdivision, Section 8, as shown on the plat prepared by Balzer and Associates, recorded December 1, 2020, in Plat Book 45, Page 476, in the office of the Clerk of the Hanover County Circuit Court, on the parcels designated as GPINs 7796-63-2431, 7796-63-3406, 7796-63-3570, 7796-63-4552, 7796-63-5535 and 7796-63-6517. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Chickahominy ORDINANCE 21-10, AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT AMENDMENT AND RENEWAL An Ordinance to amend AFD-2-80, Summerhill, to add two contiguous parcels, GPIN 8748-50-3797, consisting of 56.7 acres, and GPIN 8748-31-8190, consisting of 40.0 acres; and to continue the following Agricultural and Forestal Districts, in accordance with the provisions of Chapters 43 and 44 of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia (PUBLIC HEARING): AFD-1-78

MACDONALD

MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT BEAVERDAM

AFD-2-78

STANLEY

BEAVERDAM

AFD-3-78

WICKHAM

BEAVERDAM

AFD-1-85

PEARSON’S CORNER

HENRY

AFD-4-78

OLD CHURCH (A)

HENRY /COLD HARBOR

AFD-1-79

OLD CHURCH (B)

COLD HARBOR

AFD-1-80

OLD CHURCH (C)

HENRY

AFD-2-80

SUMMERHILL

HENRY

REZ2020-00024, ROXANNE S. AND LAZARO G. PERDOMO, ET AL. Request(s) to rezone from A-1, Agricultural District, to RS(c), Single Family Residential District with conditions, and M-1(c), Limited Industrial District with conditions, on GPINs 7787-39-1265, 7788-40-0089, 7788-40-1355, 7788-40-0566, and 7788-40-0850, consisting of approximately 35.65 acres, and located on the north line of Old Keeton Road (State Route 719) at its intersection with Washington Highway (U.S. Route 1). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Suburban General (1.5-3 Dwelling Units Per Acre) and Business-Industrial. The proposed zoning amendment would permit the creation of 76 single-family lots for a gross density of 2.4 dwelling units per acre on 32.03 acres. Various light industrial uses would be permitted on the remaining 3.62-acre portion of the property that fronts on U.S. Route 1. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: South Anna 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., please contact the Planning Office or you may also go to https://www.hanovercounty.gov/697/Board-of-Supervisors-Upcoming-and-Archiv for more information.

Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021 13

Board moves forward with broadband initiative

By Jim Ridolphi Ashland-Hanover Local

With a quickly approaching deadline, Hanover officials are considering partnering with two companies to complete an application for Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) grant funding for its ambitious broadband plan announced last month.

At that time, the Board of Supervisors allotted a large chunk of American Rescue Plan Act, $16.9 million, to ensure broadband coverage for all county residents who are currently underserved or have no connection to the internet.

The plan relies on the county’s ability to land one of those VATI grants from the Commonwealth, and that application must be filed by Sept. 14.

By a unanimous vote, supervisors approved a motion that would allow the county to file that application and authorizes the county administrator to finalize that process.

VATI grants are designed to assist localities in providing broadband service to areas not previously connected, and require applicants to submit a public/private plan to achieve that goal.

Hanover Information Technology Director Kevin Nelson provided supervisors with an over-

view of the plans currently being considered, but conceded there is still a large amount of work to be completed before the application is filed.

County Administrator John Budesky agreed.

“We have a lot of work to do,” he said. “We’ve been working up to this point and we hoped to be further at this presentation. I have meetings after this board meeting ends…. and there’s a lot of work by both of these companies to be completed to submit a qualified application as soon as next Tuesday. That work is ongoing.”

Administrators will continue to meet with the two companies being considered to finalize the plan.

“You’ve heard some details from both proposals, but what you have not heard is some additional work that we are in the process of doing,” he said explaining that he and staff have been evaluating additional details associated with each plan including pricing programs and locations.

“In both options we are talking about a fiber to the home solution.”

Budesky did acknowledge the county’s quick path in its efforts to solve a long existing problem.

“Three months ago, we had no final plan or solution to deliver universal broadband to the residents of Hanover County,” Budesky said at see BOARD, pg. 15

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TOWN OF ASHLAND PUBLIC NOTICE Please take notice that on the 21st day of September, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the regular monthly meeting of the Ashland Town Council, at Ashland Town Hall, 121 Thompson Street, Ashland, VA 23005, a public hearing will be conducted on: ORDINANCE NO. 2021-13 ORDINANCE NO. 2021-13 AMENDS THE ASHLAND TOWN CODE, CHAPTER 10, “MOTOR VEHICLES & TRAFFIC,” ARTICLE I, “IN GENERAL,” SEC. 10-7, “SPECIAL SPEED LIMITS ON CERTAIN STREETS AND IN CERTAIN AREAS” TO CORRECT SEVERAL STREET NAMES. ORDINANCE NO. 2021-10 IS CONSIDERED PURSUANT TO THE GRANT OF AUTHORITY CONTAINED IN VA. CODE § 46.2-1300(A)(1).

A copy of Ordinance No. 2021-13 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 Clerk of Council, Town of Ashland, PO Box 1600, Ashland, VA 23005. 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. 2021-13.

By Order of the Ashland Town Council 14

Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ASHLAND TOWN COUNCIL Please take notice that on September 21, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. at a meeting of the Ashland Town Council a public hearing will be conducted at 121 Thompson Street, Ashland, Virginia 23005 to receive public comment on a proposed amendment to the FY 2021-2022 budget. The proposed amendment adds $245,000 in expenditures and revenues to the General Fund. The amendment also creates a Special Revenue Fund for management of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the amount of $8,170,444, and a Special Revenue Fund for management of Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) funds in the amount of $545,047 that will be transferred from the Capital Projects Fund. The total amount of the current FY2021-2022 budget is $14,121,386. If the proposed budget amendment is approved, the total budget for FY2021-2022 would be $22,555,877. All interested persons may attend and express their views. Community members are encouraged to participate electronically submitting written comments to Assistant Town Manager Matt Reynal at mreynal@ashlandva.gov, through regular mail to Clerk of Council, Town of Ashland, P.O. Box 1600, Ashland, VA 23005, or by calling (804) 798-9219.

A complete copy of the proposed amendment to the FY 2021-2022 budget may be obtained by contacting Town Hall at (804) 798-9219, 121 Thompson Street, Ashland, Virginia 23005. Any person with a disability seeking assistance is asked to contact Town Hall in advance of the meeting for necessary arrangements. Following the public hearing, the Council may take action to approve the budget amendment and appropriation.

BY ORDER OF THE ASHLAND TOWN COUNCIL

Pets of the Week

CALENDAR Continued from pg. 6

Photos submitted by Andrew Hodnett

The Hanover County Pound, located at 12471 Taylor Complex Lane in Ashland, has wonderful pets available to a good home.

Shrek, ID# 579897, is a 6-year-old neutered male Pitbull. He has had his first set of vaccines and is Heartworm test negative.

Marcus is a sweet, handsome boy.Shrek Is a sweet guy who was surrendered to the shelter last month. He is very friendly.

Shrek gets along well around every person he interacts with.

He lived with kids at his old house. Shrek is housebroken and does great on a leash. He will make a very good companion for anyone looking for a new friend.

Tiger, ID# 579905, is a 1-year-old male domestic short-haired feline. He has had his first set of vaccines and is FELV/FIV test negative. Tiger is a young, full-of-energy kitty who is looking for a new home. He came in as a stray. Tiger loves to play with his cat toys. He is curious and observant. Tiger also seems to be litterbox trained as well. He seems to like living indoors.

SHREK Tiger will make a great house cat.

For more information on these great pets, as well as the many more still in need of homes at the Hanover County Pound Facility, call 804-365-6485 during the day. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The facility is closed on Sunday and county holidays. You also can visit the website to see other animals available for adoption at http://hanovercounty.gov/Animals/Adopta-Pet/.

TIGER

BOARD Continued from pg. 14

last week’s meeting. “Today, you are hearing two companies that have potential solutions to solve that problem for our residents. We do believe that there is a solid solution between the two companies you’ve just heard from that will meet that universal demand for all of Hanover County.”

The county administrator said he sees light at the end of the tunnel regarding universal broadband in Hanover County.

“We believe that between the commitment of these companies, the available funds you have committed through the ARPA fund including the establishment of a reserve can all be done and submit a competitive appellation next Tuesday that we believe has a high chance of being funded by the Commonwealth to deliver services…. to solve this problem.”

Jimmy Carr, Chief Executive Officer of All Points Broadband, likened the process of providing broadband to unserved areas to a period when electricity was installed across America.

“What we’re doing today is equivalent of electrifying the countryside a hundred years ago.”

All Points is rural broadband company focused on providing broadband to unserved areas in four states but is headquartered in Virginia.

“A lot of broadband companies start in the doughnut hole and inch their way out to pick up small additional pockets of density,” he said.

“We don’t take a cherry picking approach. We are interested in universal solutions that truly upgrade the overall level of infrastructure in a community.”

The company utilizes a strategy that forms partnerships with electric utilities and uses their existing infrastructure to extend broadband services. Carr said the companies focus on one-time solutions that include everyone in the community.

To achieve those goals, All Points plans to partner with Dominion Energy Virginia and Rappahannock Electric Cooperative.

All Points has conducted citizen surveys and placed teams in neighborhood to identify households where no service is available or not served by fiber to home installations. During that process, more than 8,800 residences were identified, many of them resulting from online inquiries.

But, what All Points is really good at, according to Carr, is putting together VATI applications that are approved, and is the recipient of the program’s largest grant to date, a project in the Northern Neck area.

“Every single thing that we do and everything we’ve done working very hard with the county administrator and his team, our project here in Hanover has been designed around winning the VATI program,” Carr said. “We specialize and focus on these grant programs…. so we have designed our networks and partnerships specifically to run up the score in every available point

Saturday, Sept. 25 Hanover Tavern and Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown are special partners in the 300th birthday celebration.

The Hanover AutumnFest will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hanover tavern.

Preceding the AutumnFest, Hanover County Parks and Recreation will be hosting the History 5K Run at 9 a.m. at the Hanover Courthouse, hosted

by Hanover Tavern. See hanovertavern.org or call (804) 5375050 for more details.

A book signing will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Books Beads & More, at 8106 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Mechanicsville. Steven K Smith, author of 15 books, including “The Virginia Mysteries”, “Brother Wars”, and

“Final Kingdom” series for middle grade readers. His titles have sold over 300,000 copies, and he is a regular speaker at regional industry and literacy events and over 200 elementary and middle schools. Steven lives in Midlothian with his wife, three sons, and a golden retriever. “Pirates on the Bay”, Book 10 in “The Virginia Mysteries”, released on Aug. 17th and follows Sam, Derek, and Caitlin as they search Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake Bay for Blackbeard’s treasure.

227-3500 for more details.

Fall Event will be held from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at New Hanover Presbyterian Church, 10058 Chamberlayne Road. Free Petting Zoo with miniature horse and donkey, Kona Ice Truck on premises.

Also collecting for Caritas 10 a.m. -2 p.m., mops, buckets, cleaning supplies. Free donuts and coffee at drive-thru collection site. No donation needed for petting zoo. Call 804-7309700 or 540-455-4186 for more information.

Saturday, Oct. 2

Local author Charles Tabb will be signing all five of his current novels, including Canaries’ Song, and his Detective Tony Pantera series at Books, Beads, and More at 8106 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Mechanicsville on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information visit website, charlestabb.com.

Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown will hold its “300th Anniversary and Fall Festival” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a petting zoo, a selection of beverage options and continuous tours of Scotchtown. And more! See preservationvirginia. org/historic-sites/patrick-henrys/scotchtown/ or call (804)

category,” he added.

Carr explained that electric companies currently utilize fiber on the poles to monitor system performance and trouble shoot problems, and those systems are currently being upgraded and expanded.

All Points encourages electric utilities to provide extra fiber that will support broadband transmission.

Carr provided a list of pricing plans that start at $59.99 a month for 50 mbps (megabits per second) up and down, with a top tier plan that offers 1000 mbps for $119 monthly. There is a standard $199 installation fee required for any of the plans.

The Commonwealth is expected to announce grant winners in December, and Carr said completion of the project is expected to take 24 months.

Derrek Kelly of Century Link/Lumen said his company plans to provide service to about, 6,480 locations in the western part of the county.

His company’s plan eliminates high connections charges many residents have been quoted to run service to their property. For example, a long driveway can cost the homeowner thousands of dollars in additional connection fees and many times it’s a prohibiting factor for consumers.

Kelly said his company does not charge extra for those extended connections, referred to in the industry as drop charges.

He also provided proposed plans and costs

File Photo Jim Ridolphi / The Local

All Points Broadband Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Carr presented a detailed plan for universal broadband coverage in Hanover County.

which he said are good for life. A basic plan would offer 200/200 mbps for $49.99 monthly, and the faster 940/940 mbps at $65 per month.

Since cost to residents is a major consideration for county officials, Kelly said the company is comprising a 100 mbps system for $30 to accommodate low income households.

Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021 15

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Outdoor Improvement 2021 Your local guide to outdoor home improvement projects

A Special Supplement to

September 15, 2021

OUTDOOR FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT Safety first when clearing land Excavation is best left professionals ew homeowners often see their homes as blank canvasses. Looking at a home as a blank canvas is typically associated with its interior, but it also can apply to landscaping.

Homes are empty of furniture and decorative items like photos and art on the walls when new homeowners move in. That makes it easy to see the interior of a home as a blank canvas. But that’s not always so easy in the garden or the yard, where brush, overgrown plants or trees and other eyesores might have been left behind by the previous owners. A landscape must be cleared out before it can be seen as a blank canvas.

Though clearing land may seem like a straightforward process, no one knows what lies beneath overgrowth or neglected areas of a yard or garden. Do-it-yourselfers can typically clear land on their own, but some safety strategies should be kept in mind to ensure the process goes smoothly.

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Appropriate PPE Personal protective equipment should be worn when clearing land. The appropriate PPE when clearing land includes attire and other gear that many homeowners likely already have on hand. A longsleeve shirt, puncture proof pants and gloves and slipresistant work boots should be worn when clearing land.

Homeowners also may want to invest in a hard hat if they will be cutting branches off of trees or cutting trees down. A face shield also may be a good bet depending on the scale and potential dangers of the project.

2B

Contact your utility company Overhead power and telephone lines are visible to the naked eye, and homeowners should be conscious of those lines as they cut any high branches. But underground lines are not visible, and that can make clearing land dangerous. Homeowners are urged to contact their utility companies before they begin to clear any land so they can determine if any underground lines are beneath areas they intend to clear out.

at least two people to pull old shrubs or carry tree branches reduces the risk of injury.

Safety should be the utmost priority as homeowners prepare to clear land on their properties.

-Metro Creative Connection

Get a lay of the land Carefully inspect the area to be cleared prior to starting the project. Inspections can reveal the density of any vegetation that may need to be removed and reveal if there are any harmful plants like poison ivy growing. Many DIYers can remove small trees on their own, but a professional tree service may be necessary for large trees or those located close to the house. Homeowners won’t want to cut down a tree, even a small one, if it can potentially fall onto the house. In addition, homeowners who are unfamiliar with chippers or stump grinders may be better of hiring a tree service to clear trees.

hen shopping for a home, buyers often try to envision themselves living in a given property.

Images of family gatherings and holidays may instantly come to mind, but prospective homeowners also may begin to envision changes they would make to a property if they were eventually to call it home.

Changing an existing structure or building an entirely new home on an empty plot of land can be exciting. Such changes typically require excavation, which is a complicated process that may be necessary for projects big or small.

Can do-ityourselfers excavate?

What is excavation?

Why hire an excavation professional?

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Excavation is the process of extracting material from the ground by digging. Earth, rock and other materials may be moved during the excavation process.

Skilled DIYers who have participated in excavation projects in the past may be able to handle a project on their own. However, it’s important that homeowners recognize that excavation is about more than just digging in the ground.

It’s a complicated process that requires the use of specialized tools and equipment. In addition, a strong understanding of the land that will be excavated is required for the project to be safe and go smoothly.

Even the most skilled DIYer might be better off hiring an excavation professional than going it alone. That’s true for a number of reasons.

Don’t go it alone No one should clear land alone. Even small projects are best tackled by at least two people. Should someone get injured during the project, the presence of another person ensures someone can immediately call for help. In addition, clearing land can be more difficult than it appears, and having

A Special Supplement to Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021

Metro Creative Connection

Liability: Homeowners who hire a fully licensed and insured professional excavation firm can rest easy knowing that they will not be responsible for any damages or injuries that may occur during the project.

Permits/requirements: A professional excavation firm typically files all the necessary paperwork for work permits or can advise which permits homeowners will need to go forward with the project. In addition, professionals will know the local laws regarding building and excavation. For example, homeowners may be unfamiliar with the concept of lateral support, which refers to landowners’ right to have their land physically supported in its natural state by adjoining land and underground structures.

This is an important concept to understand during an excavation project, and professionals can advise homeowners if a project they want to undertake will violate lateral support laws.

Experience: Perhaps the best reason to work with excavation professionals is their experience. A lack of excavation experience can result in damage to a homeowner’s property and surrounding properties, which can prove costly. DIYers may not know the type of soil they have on their property nor recognize the different types of challenges each type of soil can present during an excavation project. Such knowledge comes with experience and is often invaluable.

Skilled DIYers can tackle many home improvement projects on their own. However, the complex nature of excavation makes these types of projects the kind that are best left to skilled professionals.

-Metro Creative Connection

OUTDOOR FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT

Popular renovation projects during the pandemic pending so much time at home during the pandemic led many homeowners to spruce up their homes.

According to HomeAdvisor’s 2021 State of Home Spending report, spending on home improvements increased by an average of $745 per household in 2020.

In the face of travel restrictions and social distancing guidelines, many homeowners pivoted in 2020 and spent money they initially intended to use for vacations on home improvements. Though many such projects required the services of a professional contractor, others, including the most popular project among the 5,000 homeowners who participated in the HomeAdvisor report, were do-it-yourself endeavors. That not only gave homeowners’ homes a new look, but also gave them something to do during quarantine.

The following are the five most popular home improvement projects of 2020 according to the HomeAdvisor report.

S Metro Creative Connection

How to handle moss awn care can be a labor of love. Maintaining a pristine lawn is no small task, but it’s one that many homeowners proudly take on, knowing that all the hard work and time spent outside on sunny afternoons is well worth the sweat equity.

After putting in so much effort to create a lush, green lawn, it’s understandable if homeowners react with disbelief when something threatens the health of their turf. Moss is one such threat. Recognizing the threat moss poses is the first step to corralling it before it overtakes a lawn.

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Explaining moss Moss can be especially menacing because its green appearance allows it to blend in with grass rather easily. As moss spreads, it becomes more noticeable. According to the turf care experts at Scotts¨, moss is a plant with shallow roots that

spreads by spores and root-like structures called rhizoids. Moss is opportunistic, and it will grow where turfgrass is thin and weak. However, moss does not kill the grass. Rather, the conditions that promote the growth of moss can kill the grass. Such conditions may include compacted soil or excessive thatch, acidic or infertile soil, excessive shade, and insufficient or excessive watering.

How can moss be controlled?

Penn State Extension notes that the first step to controlling moss is to test the soil. Soil test kits are inexpensive and available at most home renovation stores. Test results will reveal if the soil is lacking nutrients or if lime needs to be applied and when to apply it. Such a report also will indicate when to fertilize the lawn, which can help restore the turfgrass so it’s more capable of competing with the

moss.

If the underlying cause of moss is shade and/or moisture in the yard, homeowners can speak with landscaping professionals to discuss their options. Replacing existing turf with one that is well-suited to shade and/or moisture may prevent mold from overtaking the lawn in the future.

Penn State Extension notes that some turfgrasses may be best-adapted to shaded, welldrained soils, while others may be more likely to thrive in shaded, moist soils. A local landscaping professional can help homeowners find a turf that will not only thrive in the conditions in their yards, but also in their local climates.

Moss can quickly take advantage of conditions that make it difficult for turfgrass to grow. Homeowners who recognize that moss is overtaking their lawn can address it in various ways.

-Metro Creative Connection

Interior painting: Just under 35 percent of participants reported taking on an interior painting project in 2020. Interior painting projects can be perfect for DIYers, but homeowners also can trust this task to skilled professionals.

1.

Bathroom renovations: Real estate professionals routinely report how much prospective buyers love updated bathrooms, so it’s no surprise that roughly 31 percent of homeowners who took part in the HomeAdvisor report indicated they renovated their bathrooms in 2020.

2.

Flooring: Floors took on a lot of extra traffic during the pandemic, so it shouldn’t be too surprising that flooring projects were popular in 2020. More than onefourth of participants told HomeAdvisor their homes were updated with a new floor during the pandemic.

3.

Metro Creative Connection

Landscaping: With nowhere else to go to escape the daily grind in 2020, many homeowners took to their yards. Twenty-four percent of those homeowners reported making their backyard retreats more appealing by repairing or upgrading the landscaping outside their homes. In fact, the average homeowner reported completing 3.4 landscaping projects in 2020.

4.

Kitchen: Another project that makes sense given the circumstances, kitchen renovations were the fifth most popular home improvement project in 2020. Restaurant closures and social distancing guidelines led many people to dine in more often than they otherwise would, and just under 23 percent of homeowners reported renovating their kitchens in 2020.

As the world gradually emerges from the pandemic, many homeowners who caught the renovation bug while in quarantine also will be emerging with what feels like an entirely new home. -Metro Creative Connection

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OUTDOOR FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT

Swimming pool landscaping ideas ackyard pools provide a way to cool off and enjoy a taste of luxury without having to travel. Backyard pools provided even more convenience and a welcome respite in 2020, as many public pools were closed in response to social distancing restrictions put in place during the pandemic.

After installing pools, many homeowners realize that touching up the landscaping around the pool can provide the finishing touch to their backyard retreats. Not all landscaping is the same, and homeowners should choose plants that look beautiful, are tolerant to pool splashout and won’t outgrow the area. The home and garden resource The Spruce notes that a plant that is attractive at two feet tall can grow rapidly and drop leaves or other debris into the pool.

When selecting options for pool landscaping, there are some considerations to keep in mind: Choose plants that will

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provide privacy.

Know which kind of climate a plant needs prior to purchasing it. Tropical plants may be fitting poolside, but will they endure when the season is over?

Design according to the theme of the home, as plants should complement the existing style. Modern foliage may not blend well with a home styled after a traditional English cottage.

Decide whether you can accept spreading or trailing plants that can cascade over retaining walls and other infrastructure.

Look at trees that won’t drop too many leaves, flowers or fruit into the water.

Think about having layers of plants to soften the landscape, which can make a small pool seem bigger and more luxurious, indicates the landscaping company Earth Development, Inc. Don’t overlook the possibility of a lawn abutting pavers or concrete surrounding a pool, as it can soften the edges and keep spaces open and inviting.

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Incorporate herbs or fragrant plants, which can transform a pool day into a spa experience. Consider low-maintenance lavender as an option.

Pool landscaping must

marry a variety of different features and plant requirements.

As a result, a professional consultation may be the route to take. Landscape architects will have the know-how to select

plant varieties that will be toler- offers the softness and beauty ant, beautiful and fulfill home- that adds a finishing touch to poolside retreats. owners’ wishes.

-Metro Creative Connection Backyard pools can make a backyard retreat that much more enjoyable. Landscaping

Techniques to keep mosquitoes out of your backyard oasis The value of a retreat-like backyard was never more apparent than in 2020. Over the last year-plus, much of the world has been forced to stay home as a global pandemic has claimed millions of lives while countless others have had to fight to survive in hospitals. It’s no surprise people have looked for a respite from the harsh realities of living during a deadly pandemic, and many turned their attention to their own backyards to provide such an escape.

Mosquitoes make their presence felt in many areas each summer.

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These pesky, often hungry insects can carry disease, and their bites can be painful and itchy. Homeowners can try these three techniques to keep mosquitoes out of their backyards.

Standing water

that can collect water. Even clogged gutters can lead to the accumulation of a small amount of water, and that can be enough for mosquitoes to breed. Remove these potential breeding grounds when you find them, and do so each day, as mosquitoes mature from eggs to nymphs in roughly four days.

to mosquitoes. The pest experts at Terminix¨ note that mosquitoes seek tall grass to protect them from the elements, including wind and hot summer sun. Mowing enough so grass never gets too high in summer can make backyards less inviting to mosquitoes.

Standing water is a breeding Plant with though ground for mosquitoes, who don’t even need a lot of water to successfully Mow regularly The home remodeling experts at breed. A daily walk around the propMowing the lawn so the grass HGTV note that plants can be part of erty may uncover kids’ toys, empty never gets too high is another way homeowners’ strategy to repel mosflower pots or other small receptacles to make a backyard less hospitable quitoes. Various plants have mosqui-

A Special Supplement to Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021

to-repellant qualities. For example, bee balm releases a fragrance as it grows, and mosquitoes don’t like that fragrance. Homeowners can speak with a local lawn and garden professional for recommendations about plants that can thrive in their region and repel mosquitoes at the same time.

Mosquitoes can make it hard to enjoy a backyard oasis. But various strategies can help homeowners keep these unwanted guests out of their backyards.

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OUTDOOR FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT

The dos and don’ts of fire pits any homeowners relish any opportunity to retreat to their back yards, where they can put up their feet and relax in the great outdoors.

That retreat-like escape is made even more relaxing when sitting around a fire pit.

Fire pits can be found in millions of suburban backyards across the globe. Fire pits have become so popular that a 2016 survey of landscape architects conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects revealed they were the most sought after outdoor design element. Fire pits remain wildly popular a half decade after that survey. Homeowners who are only now joining the fire pit revolution can keep these dos and don’ts in mind as they plan their summer s’mores sessions.

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keep the fire pit a safe distance away from the home. Fire pits should be located a safe distance from the home at all times, but especially when they’re in use. Home design experts recommend keeping fire pits a minimum of 10 to 20 feet away from a house or other structure, such as a shed or a detached garage. The further away the fire is from houses and other structures, the less likely those structures are to catch on fire.

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Sod vs. seed: Which is your best option?

DO

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make sure fire pits are not wood piles a safe distance away placed in locations that increase from the fire pit while it’s in operation. It may be convenient that risk. to keep firewood right next clean out seasonal to the fire pit while the fire is debris. It can be burning, but that increases the tempting to let seasonal debris risk that embers will land on resting inside the fire pit burn firewood and start a fire outside away during the season’s first of the pit. s’mores session. But burning check the weather debris poses a serious safety risk, report prior to startas embers can easily be blown out of the fire pit and catch ing the fire. Windy weather nearby trees or shrubs or even a increases the risk of embers home on fire. The National Fire blowing around and potentially Protection Association advises landing on the house, other homeowners that embers blow- structures around the property ing from a backyard fire pose or trees. If the weather report is the same threat to homes as if calling for gusting winds, burn a fire on another night. they are from a wildfire.

DO

DO

place the fire pit beneath trees or next to shrubs.

Though fire pits should be kept safe distances away from a house and other structures, it’s important that they’re not placed beneath trees or next to shrubs. Shrubs and low hanglet fire pits ing branches can easily catch burn near embers and be lit ablaze, so flammable materials. Store fire- fire

DON’T

DON’T

recreational fires are illegal and incredibly dangerous.

Homeowners should never leave fire pit fires burning unattended or allow fires to slowly die out overnight. Always extinguish the fire before going inside and stop adding wood to the fire roughly one hour before you plan to go inside. Water or sand can be poured on ashes to extinguish the fire. Once homeowners are confident a fire has been extinguished, ashes can be spread around to ensure there are no hot spots still burning. If there are, start the extinguishing process over again.

A night around the fire pit is a summertime tradition in many households. Safety must leave a be as much a part of such tradifire pit tions as s’mores.

Unattended -Metro Creative Connection

DON’T burning.

A pristine lawn can be the finishing touch to a landscape and add significant value to a home. According to a joint study by the University of Alabama and the University of Texas at Arlington, homes with high curb appeal sell for an average of 7 percent more than similar houses without inviting exteriors.

When it comes to establishing a lawn, homeowners have two key options: starting from seed or installing sod.

Each comes with its share of advantages and disadvantages.

Which option makes the most sense for a given lawn will boil down to various factors, including homeowners’ budgets.

Seed Seed is the first thing homeowners may think of when planning a lawn. Seed is an inexpensive, easily installed option. Plus, garden centers sell a variety of seeds specific to particular regions and climates. The home improvement resource Fixr says seed will cost an average of 24 cents per square foot installed compared to $1.29 for sod. That affordability compels many homeowners to turn to seed.

However, seed can take up to two years to produce a lush lawn and it requires high maintenance in the initial months to establish the grass.

Seed also requires greater

soil preparation, including tilling to loosen soil and keeping the lawn well watered until the grass is hardy. Weeds also may mix in with seed more readily, meaning weed prevention becomes an additional task.

Sod One of the advantages to sod is that it can produce an instant lawn. When time is of the essence, sod will produce a complete lawn nearly as soon as the sod is laid. Sod can be used to mitigate soil erosion, as it works faster than seed, which needs to establish a root system to keep soil in check. Also, sod does not require as much soil preparation as seed.

The potential disadvantages to sod are its cost and the time it takes to install it, particularly on a large property. In addition, sod will require careful maintenance for at least the first two weeks until the sod takes stronger roots. It can be an expensive mistake if sod doesn’t thrive and new pieces need to be installed. The Family Handyman says sod tends to be sun-loving and may not work in shadier areas of a property.

Sod and seed are the two main options for lush lawns.

Each has its perks, and homeowners can speak with a local lawn specialist to determine which option is best for their lawn.

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A Special Supplement to Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021

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OUTDOOR FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT

Shade trees that can make yards more comfortable arious factors motivate the decisions homeowners make when designing their landscapes. Some may be motivated by the ways additions will affect the resale value of their homes, while others may be guided by a love for a particular type of plant. Comfort is yet another motivator, and shade trees can make yards more comfortable as the mercury rises. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, the following are some popular shade trees that can add beauty to a landscape and make it more comfortable come the dog days of summer.

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Quaking aspen The quaking aspen has the widest natural range of any tree in North America, spanning 47 degrees of latitude, 110 degrees of longitude (nine time zones) and elevations from sea level to timberline. That impressive range is no doubt why the United States Forest Service notes that the quaking aspen can grow in greatly diverse regions, environments and communities.

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Northern catalpa The Arbor Day Foundation notes that the northern catalpa is easily identifiable thanks to its heart-shaped leaves and twisting trunks and branches. Nature enthusiasts, and particularly those who enjoy birdwatching, may be happy to learn that the flowers of the catalpa are frequently visited by hummingbirds.

days spent lounging in the yard.

The red sunset maple provides ample shade and comes with the added benefit of producing an awe-inspiring blend of red and orange leaves come the fall.

Red sunset maples can survive in a range of habitats and their adaptable roots means they can thrive in various soil types.

Northern red oak Red sunset maple

The state tree of New Jersey, the northern red oak is, according to the Arbor Day Its name alone makes many Foundation, both beloved for people think of lazy summer its aesthetic appeal and valued

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for its adaptability and usefulness. Northern red oaks can tolerate urban conditions, but they do not do well in hot climates.

Sawtooth oak Another tree that produces some awe-inspiring color, the sawtooth oak is a durable, adaptable shade tree. Golden yellow leaves in the spring will give way to dark green in summer, only to turn yellow and golden brown in the fall. The Tree Center Plant Supply Co. notes that the sawtooth oak

A Special Supplement to Ashland-Hanover Local September 15, 2021

can thrive in warmer mer climates where shade de trees that can coexist ist with high temperaatures can be hard to find.

Shade trees can n add beauty to a property and make a yard more comfort-able. Homeownerss are urged to discusss shade trees with a local lawn and garden professional prior to planting.

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