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Vol. 7 No. 17 | Richmond Suburban News | December 22, 2021

Residents raise autism awareness with sensory-sensitive Christmas By Christina Amano Dolan For Ashland-Hanover Local

ICHMOND — Kicking off the holiday month in celebration, families gathered to witness the annual Mechanicsville Christmas Parade themed “I’ll be Home for Christmas.” While the town’s streets were blocked off for the day’s festivities, making way for parade floats and live music, another event was held for families who may shy away from the bustling crowd. For the first time held at the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge, the new Christmasthemed party was designed to cater to and raise awareness about families with children with autism and other disabilities who, due to sensory overload, could not attend the parade. The event featured a qui-

Jim Ridolphi/The Local

Members of Patrick Henry Chamber Choir performed at last week’s school board meeting.

Board’s decision draws response at board meeting Dave Lawrence/The Local

Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and an elf pose with a local family for a photo during the filming of an episode of ‘A New Perspective with Tim Sutton,’ a vlog devoted to issues affecting people with cognitive issues such as autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer’s disease, at the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge on Dec. 4. The event featured food and Christmas-themed activities for children prone to sensory overload.

eter ambience of live music, a face painting station, a buffet of home-cooked food, raffle items for attendees and a

canned food drive. A sensory-friendly Santa was also in attendance to meet the children, take photographs with

them and give them presents. Donna Gammon, the event organizer, said the party see AUTISM pg. 2

By Jim Ridolphi For Ashland-Hanover Local A number of citizens attended last week’s regularly scheduled Hanover County School Board meeting to express their opinion on a decision taken last month by the board. At the Nov. 9 meeting, the board voted 4-3 to not comply fully see BOARD pg. 3

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AUTISM Continued from pg. 1

was “near and dear” to her, as her son, nephew and grandson are on the autism spectrum. “These kids at the party, they’re not necessarily going to be there at the parade because of the sirens, the bands and just the sensory issue,” Gammon said. “And then, of course, I had been in contact with a gentleman that played Santa and knew that he was a sensory Santa. . . . So that was something else that we were able to give to that special community.” Working under a tight deadline, Gammon arranged the party in under two months with the help of local businesses, nonprofit organizations, friends, family and community members. The founder and director of the Chapters Community Support Services, Steve Vaccaro, was instrumental in the event’s success. The Chapters Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, empowering and advocating for individuals and families facing adversity. Among other services provided to individuals with disabilities, the organization offers a platform to these individuals through its broadcasting network. Vaccaro and his team pro-

Event organizer Donna Gammon (right), feeds families attending the filming of an episode of ‘A New Perspective with Tim Sutton,’ a vlog devoted to issues affecting people with cognitive issues such as autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer’s disease. Right: Tim Sutton a sergeant with Hanover County Sheriff’s Office who trains other officers in how to recognize and respond to individuals with cognitive disorders, and musician Tyler Gianchetta (on sleigh) get the afternoon’s festivities going during the filming. Below: Makeup artist Stephanie Williams paints Logan Lane’s face while Aryn Shapiro looks on.

vided the event’s live entertainment. Dulcimer player and vocalist Tyler Gianchetta, cohost of the Chapters Network show “Youth Heroes Show,” offered a notable performance for attendees. Gianchetta is on the spectrum but has overcome adversity since his youth with music. “I was literally singing before I could talk,” Gianchetta said, referring to how he had been nonverbal as a child for several years. “The reason I started talking was because I heard music on the radio and realized ‘I want to do that.’ ” Giachetta further discusses overcoming adversity in his show with co-host and autism advocate Rachel Barcellona. Barcellona made headlines in 2019 as the first Miss Florida

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contestant with autism. The event also featured a live-streamed podcast presented by the Chapters Network and hosted by Tim Sutton, sergeant with the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office. In the newest episode of his weekly show “A New Perspective,” Sutton interviewed the sensory-sensitive Santa, Giachetta, Barcellona and others in order to inspire and educate youth with disabilities while offering light entertainment. Sutton additionally discussed his years of dedication to the disabled community. From encountering individuals with cognitive issues, disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia while in uniform, Sutton recognized a dire need for change in law enforcement procedures. According to Sutton, law enforcement officers are not typically trained to recognize signs of autism or other cognitive disabilities. Because of this, individuals with sensory issues may oftentimes face unpleasant encounters with

officers. “The thing about autism, specifically, is it’s an invisible disability,” Sutton said. “Individuals with autism are seven times more likely to encounter law enforcement than a neurotypical person, so we need to know these things.” Sutton has traveled to various parts of Virginia and the country educating state law enforcement, public safety officers, school faculty members and others in order to raise awareness and maximize “peaceful encounters with positive outcomes.” “When I was sworn in as a police officer 32 years ago, I was sworn to protect everybody, not certain populations,” Sutton said. “And this is just one of those populations that needs people to understand.” Sutton has continuously worked with Donna Gammon to help raise autism awareness in communities and provide support to families. The pair organized a similar event this past September, gathering teachers from Mechanicsville Elementary, parents of chil-

dren with various hidden disabilities and other community members eager to show support. The team hopes the alternative Christmas event is only the first of an annual tradition. They also hope to hold larger gatherings in the future, including an April event for Autism Awareness Month that would allow the children to interact with local first responders. “I think this [Christmas event] was a learning curve, but I definitely see this being an annual event,” Gammon said. “Because the number

of children being diagnosed with autism is increasing. The numbers aren’t going down, they’re going up. So the need is going to grow.” “It’s open for anybody with disabilities, because many times they’re the kids that don’t get invited to the parties, the birthday parties,” Sutton said. “We’re doing this for them. We want them to have the same opportunities as everybody else. And I’m blessed to be able to be a part of it.” Christina Amano Dolan can be reached at news@mechlocal. com.

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Ashland-Hanover Local December 22, 2021

Hanover County Government offices and courts will be closed Dec. 23-24 for the Christmas holiday and Dec. 31 for New Year’s. Hanover County solid waste facilities will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Branches of the Pamunkey Regional Library will be closed on Dec. 24, 25, 27 and 31. Submitted by Tom Harris, Hanover County Public Information Officer.

CALENDAR Friday, Dec. 24 New Highland Baptist Church is hosting a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Communion at 4 p.m. The church is located at 9200 New Ashcake Road.

Saturday, Dec. 25 St. Paul Lutheran Church will hold Christmas Day Traditional Worship will begin at 10 a.m. at 8100 Shady Grove Road in Mechanicsville. For more information call 804-427-7500 or visit www.saintpaul-lcms.com.

Arrest made in possession of child pornography case HANOVER – The Hanover County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged a Mechanicsville man with possession of child pornography. On Monday, Dec. 13, sheriff’s office investigators, acting on a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, executed a residential search warrant in the 8000 block of Christopher Paul Drive. After executing the search warrant and collecting evidence, Derek Lee Short, 47, of Mechanicsville, was arrested and charged with Possession of Child Pornography (F). Short is currently being held at Pamunkey Regional Jail with no bond. This case remains under investigation. Anyone with further information about this case is asked

EVANS

BADGETT

JOHNSON

ALLEN

Immediate arrest made in stolen vehicle case SHORT

to contact the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office at (804) 3656140 or the Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at (804) 7801000. Citizens can also download the “P3 Tips” app for their mobile device to submit their tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous. Submitted by Lt. James Cooper, Hanover County Sheriff’s Office public information officer.

On Monday, Dec. 13 at 2:18 a.m., deputies responded to the 8200 block of Ferrill Court for a reported stolen vehicle. Once on scene, deputies immediately relayed the description of the stolen vehicle to patrol units in the area. Shortly after, a deputy located a vehicle matching that description on Lee Davis Road. A traffic stop was initiated and it was determined that this was in fact the reported stolen vehicle. The vehicle was occupied by five individuals, all of whom were from Virginia

Beach. Based upon the investigation that followed, all five individuals were identified, arrested and transported to Pamunkey Regional Jail. Four adults and one juvenile were charged with the following: Chance Josiah Evans, 22. Charge: Grand Larceny (F) Davione Charles Badgett, 23. Charge: Grand Larceny (F) Jawan Taki Johnson, 19. Charge: Grand Larceny (F) Tony Lamont Allen, Jr, 18. Charges: Grand Larceny (F), Entering/Setting Vehicle in Motion (M)

The juvenile was also charged with Grand Larceny (F). “I am incredibly proud of the quick response and teamwork displayed by our deputies. Because of their teamwork and diligence, they were able to immediately recover a citizen’s property and arrest five criminals before they were able to victimize any more of our citizens,” said Colonel David R. Hines, sheriff. Submitted by Lt. James R. Cooper, Hanover County Sheriff’s Office public information officer.

Saturday, Jan. 8

Ongoing Saturdays Trinity Lutheran Church, Ashland Campus, located at 11515 Ashcake Road in Ashland two miles west of U.S. 1, holds it church service at 5 p.m. with Pastor Rev. Dr. Roy Minnix For more information, visit www. trinityrichmond.net or call 804270-9626. see CALENDAR pg. 16

BOARD Continued from pg. 1

with Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) guidelines regarding those guideline that, among other things, established the rights of trans students to access the bathroom of their preferred gender. Hanover board members did pass other portions of the policy, including the rights of those students to be addressed by the pronoun of their preferred gender with parental oversight. In the estimation of some speakers, that leaves the county outside of the law when it comes to transgender student rights, and clearly not in compliance with the VDOE regulations. Kendra Grimes is a Methodist minister with two teenagers in Hanover schools. “I’m here to speak to ask the board to reconsider you vote

Jim Ridolphi / The Local

Todd Gathje told school board members that the recently filed complaint by the Virginia ACLU should not deter board members from voting their conscience. Gathje said a recent VDOE policy regarding transgender students will be clarified in the upcoming General Assembly.

and accept the state’s policy on transgender students,” she said. “Not listening to those in our community who are trying to tell us who they are and

insisting that we know them better than they know themselves causes great harm. I beg you, the school board, to do no harm. Don’t be pressured by voices that ask you to draw lines and exclude others.” Sarah Bridges, who lives in Beaverdam and also has two children in Hanover public schools, spoke in opposition to the board’s recent decision to not comply with VDOE guidelines. “These kids are suffering,” she said. “You vowed to protect all Hanover students and all Hanover students include trans students. Trans students are among the most vulnerable, and your failure to adopt policies to protect them shows that you do not care to protect them. Your are setting the tone in these schools for how these students are treated. You are perpetuating bullying for see BOARD, pg. 7

205 England Street Ashland, VA 23005 Give us a call: (804) 401-7007

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Upcoming Events:

A Community Salt Fish Breakfast is scheduled from 8 to 10 a.m. at Enon United Methodist Church, 6156 Studley Road in Mechanicsville. A buffet menu including salt fish, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, gravy, biscuits hash rounds, grits, apples, corn cakes, waffles and beverage. Admission is $10 for adults and children 7 and under, free. Carry out is available. Sponsored by Enon United Methodist Church. All profits go to the missions.

Dec. 29th at 2 pm and 6 pm Dec. 30th at 6 pm Dec. 31st at 2 pm Jan. 1st at 2 pm Buster Moon and his friends must persuade reclusive rock star Clay Calloway to join them for the opening of a new show.

Skydog: An Allman Brothers Tribute Jan. 29th at 7:30 pm Comprised of Virginia natives, the band admirably revives the music of the late brothers with a palpable passion that is so gleamingly apparent.

Purchase tickets & see upcoming events at:

ashlandtheatre.org

Ashland-Hanover Local December 22, 2021 3

Hanover County receives $13.9 million VATI grant Connect Hanover will deliver internet to underserved areas Contributed Report The Mechanicsville Local HANOVER - On December 13, 2021, Governor Ralph Northam announced the approval of Hanover County’s application for a Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) grant in the amount of $13.97 million. Today’s funding announcement will deliver a total investment of over $55 million of new broadband infrastructure to serve Hanover County residents. This funding from the State will leverage the County's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) contribution of $14.84 million and private corporate investment from All Points Broadband, Dominion Energy and Rappahannock Electric Cooperative will make broadband service available to almost 6200 residents and businesses in Hanover that do not currently have sufficient internet access. “Hanover is proud of our partnership with All Points Broadband and regional utility providers,” stated Hanover County Administrator

John A. Budesky. “This Partnership will deliver the reality of high-speed internet to many under and unserved areas of our county. This partnership demonstrates the County’s commitment to our residents in meeting this need and delivers on the recommendations of the efforts of the County’s Broadband Advisory Committee.” “Today is a historic day for Hanover County,” said Jimmy Carr, Chief Executive Officer of All Points Broadband. “We are honored to be partnering with the County to seize this oncein-a-generation opportunity to fully and finally bridge the digital divide with a project that will extend an all-fiber broadband network to all remaining unserved locations in the county.” It is anticipated that contracts and other agreements will be signed in the spring of 2022, with funding to become available in July 2022. Equipment will be ordered at that time with initial construction anticipated in the fall of 2022. Also, a phasing plan will be developed to determine in which areas of the County construction will begin. Buildout of the system is estimated to be complete within 24-36 months of July 1, 2022. Service will be available to customers as construction in that particular area is completed. A more detailed construction timeframe will be made available next year. Residents and

Ashland-Hanover Local December 22, 2021

businesses who want to learn more about the project, sign up for updates, or pre-register their locations for service once available should visit fiber.allpointsbroadband.com and complete a survey. “This grant provides the much needed component of funding to Hanover County’s Broadband Access Plan,” said Sean Davis, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “This was the missing piece required to execute a very comprehensive and rather strategic initiative. We told the citizens how we would leverage existing dollars in order to compete for grant money, and today we can announce that the plan presented to the citizens was a success – as evidenced by the grant award. We as a Board are grateful to the citizens who helped build this plan and to all the folks who will now begin the work of bringing Broadband access to our rural areas. On behalf of your Board of Supervisors, I thank you all.” “In a world where broadband access is more critical than ever, today’s announcements are an exciting step forward in the process of making internet access a reality for all Virginians,” said Alan Bradshaw, vice president of Strategic Partnerships for Dominion Energy. “Partnerships like this one in Hanover County show that when we work together, we can make

a real impact, and we’re proud to work with our partners to bring this service to the communities we serve.” Dominion Energy will support the extension of broadband to unserved areas by deploying middle-mile fiber that All Points will use to connect end-customers to the Internet. “At Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, our goal has always been to be part of the solution to enable and facilitate broadband to the households and businesses we serve,” said John Hewa, president and CEO of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. “Being able to partner on this endeavor with the counties and All Points Broadband is a major accomplishment allowing each of us to further the Commonwealth’s goals of making broadband access available to everyone.” In addition, Lumen Technologies, formerly known as CenturyLink, will be extending fiber service to over 1000 additional locations using the federal Rural Digital Opportunity Funding. These two concurrent efforts will essentially provide universal broadband internet coverage for all of Hanover County. For more information about The Connect Hanover Broadband Initiative, go to https:// www.hanovercounty.gov/1122/Internet.

DeHarts’ house remains a holiday highlight in Rockville By Roslyn Ryan Richmond Suburban News

oping to offer a little extra joy to the area this holiday season, a Goochland couple is once again bringing their dazzling Christmas display to life in front of their Rockville home. For the 10th year in a row, David and Bobbie DeHart’s vast collection of inflatables and countless feet of twinkling lights will offer a holiday treat to area residents, many of whom have made a trip past the DeHart home a beloved annual tradition. It isn’t an easy feat to pull off year after year, admits David, who spends about two weeks pulling out and setting up each section of the display, taking care not to damage the more delicate pieces. He admits he and Bobbie even thought seriously about

Contributed Photo

The display of holiday inflatables at David and Bobbie DeHart’s Rockville Road home has steadily grown over the past decade.

throwing in the towel last year after an animal attack destroyed several cherished inflatables. Fortunately for local light lovers, they reconsidered. All the work — and occasional aggravation — is worth

it when they see the joy on the faces of those who ride by each year, said David, who has been known to dress up as Santa and wave to passing motorists on occasion. “It’s one of those things

that doesn’t cost people anything to enjoy, and hopefully helps them forget their troubles for a little while,” said David. “We really just want to add a little joy to people’s lives.” The DeHarts’ holi-

day exhibit, located at 2375 Rockville Road, is lit every evening from 5:20 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., then turned back on from 5:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. every morning (“We do that for the children who ride the

school bus,” David explained). All are encouraged to use the DeHarts’ circular driveway to experience the full effect of the display, but are also asked to remain in their vehicles for safety reasons.

Upcoming programs at Hanover area branch Pamunkey libraries All Pamunkey Regional Library branches will be closed on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, and Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. Upcoming programs at Hanover Area Libraries are:

Richard S. Gillis, Jr./ Ashland Branch Library In-Person Programs Instant Shakespeare at the Ashland Branch Library Saturday, Jan. 8, 10 a.m. 5:30 p.m. A different way to approach Shakespeare! Join in a staged reading of a different Shakespeare play each month. January's play is "Hamlet." Meet at 10 a.m. to review edited scripts, decide who is playing which part, go over any important action, talk about how to handle some of the trickier language. Bring a bag lunch for

break. At 3 p.m., we will begin reading the play out loud to each other, on foot, using supplied props, getting a feel for the story through the action. The plays run between one and two hours, so we will be done by 5 p.m. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/event/8054640. Call 804-798-4072 or visit the library at 201 S. Railroad Ave. for more information. Must Love Words at the Ashland Branch Library Tuesdays, Jan. 11 and 25, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Writers, are you looking for inspiration? Need readers with a discerning eye? Join us for constructive feedback and discussion about the craft of writing on each of this month. Due to group resources, email and word processing are used to communicate outside of

meetings. Access to email and familiarity with word processing is preferred. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/. Call 804-798-4072 or visit the library at 201 S. Railroad Ave. for more information. Heather Weidner Talks Mysteries at the Ashland Branch Library Monday, Jan. 10, 10:30 11:30 a.m. Join mystery author Heather Weidner for an engaging talk on her love of mysteries and her work in the genre. She has written Vintage Trailers and Blackmailers (Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries), the “Delanie Fitzgerald” mystery series set in Virginia, and the upcoming “Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries.” Her short stories and novellas have appeared in several collections, including “Virginia is

for Mysteries,” “50 Shades of Cabernet,” “Deadly Southern Charm,” “Murder by the Glass,” and “Mutt Mysteries.” Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/. Call 804-798-4072 or visit the library at 201 S. Railroad Ave. for more information. Cosplay & COVID-19 at the Ashland Branch Library Wednesday, Jan. 12, 7-8 p.m. COVID-19 has affected nearly every aspect of our daily lives, including cosplay. Come learn how the global pandemic has changed this vast category of hobbies as we know it. Get tips on how to safely and smartly plan for your next cosplay convention or event, how to incorporate health safety into a cosplay, and more. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.

com/. Call 804-798-4072 or visit the library at 201 S. Railroad Ave. for more information. Japanese Cooking for Manga Fans at the Ashland Branch Library Thursday, Jan. 13, 6 - 7 p.m. For ages 12-18. Learn how to make Usagi Ringo, Tamago Tomodachi,Tako, Ika, and Kani--fabulously cute appetizers you've seen in manga. No food will be consumed during

the program. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/. Call 804-798-4072 or visit the library at 201 S. Railroad Ave. for more information. Navigating Medicare and Medicaid at the Ashland Branch Library Wednesday, Jan. 19, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. see LIBRARY pg. 9

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Ashland-Hanover Local December 22, 2021 5

OPINION | The Local Views

One special ornament, a lifetime of Christmas memories Editor’s Note: This column was previously published in December 2017. We are sharing it again here in honor of all the families getting back together this year after being apart for the holidays in 2020. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a beautiful continuation of those important family traditions.

very parent will tell you one of the greatest joys of the Christmas season is watching your kids place ornaments on the tree. A child’s fascination with a Christmas tree begins almost at birth, and the magic of decorating a tree hopefully never goes away. We have a system around here. After seven decades of enjoying the presence of a fresh cut tree in my house, my threats to go artificial fall on deaf ears around here. My kids know that despite my protests, I’ll make that trip to a local tree lot that’s becoming increasingly hard to find and pick out the first tree that fits in my trunk. Over the years, my desire for perfection has lessened regarding trees and a few dozen other things. So, I performed my duty recently and placed the tree in the stand and secured it. “Why do you turn the screws in so far, Dad?” one of my children asked. That answer will become apparent as the story progresses. Moving on, Emma and I put the lights on and all of my children placed the ornaments in less than strategic places on the tree. I’ve also learned that aged fathers who sit in a chair and point can’t expect superior results, another fact I’ve learned to live with. As one of my children prepared to put a single red ball on the tree, I jumped from the chair and said, “I’ll put that one on the tree.” They gave each other that familiar look that parents recognize— you know the one that clearly indicates their assurance that you are indeed crazy. But, it’s amazing how one ornament can evoke a lifetime of memories of Christmases long ago…. all the way back to the first one I can remember. We were jammed in a small apartment waiting for our first

house to be built, my father working and my mother staying at home keeping my sister and me. Even at that young age, I quickly learned the importance of Christmas and the meticulous measures surrounding our tree. My father searched for the perfect tree at the perfect price, the second factor more of a necessity than a preference. He always found it and carefully placed it in a bucket full of water outside to ensure its longevity once it entered our small apartment. The green tree was always adorned with large shiny red balls, all uniform and perfect in size and splendor. I didn’t appreciate it then, but I later learned the history of the red balls that were stored in green and cardboard colored boxes that had been taped so many times it was hard to distinguish where original corners were located. The balls were about all that was left from my family’s restaurant in Montgomery, Alabama – the locally famous Pickwick Cafe. My grandfather operated the Montgomery landmark for over five decades. Every Christmas, PaPa as we knew him, would put a large tree up in the center of the restaurant and decorate with those red balls, many dozens of them he had acquired while he visited relatives in Corsica, the place of his birth. He made many trips home and always returned with more balls for the famous yuletide tradition. When the restaurant closed, the balls were divided among his sons and daughter, and each guarded the collection like a prized jewel, eventually passing some of the balls down to their children. Back to that first Christmas in that small apartment and an excited 3-year-old who had just caught sight of probably the coolest peddle fire engine on earth sitting near our Christmas tree. While my sister dove under the tree and retrieved dolls and other nonessentials, I immediately climbed in the driver’s seat of the fire engine truck. My feet barely reached the firm pedals, but eventually I began to move across the small floor from one end to the other…. and then straight into my father’s most creative holiday achievement, our Christmas tree. Some balls were saved as the tree slammed against the wooden

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floor, but many others suffered a fate I still can’t talk about six decades later. I was too young to be really afraid, but I remember an anxiousness that overtook me as we all stood silent and stared up at my father as he stood by the downed icon. Looking back on the episode, I realize now he must have been destroyed at the loss of those beloved ornaments, and any human would certainly be justified at being beyond annoyed with an overzealous son who just had to pedal as fast as the little truck would go without regard for destination. “Let’s get this tree back up and open the rest of these presents,” he said after a long pause, his tone non indicative of any dismay or disgust. “Then we’ll eat a big breakfast.” After I became a parent, I thought back to that episode many times when I thought my anger was getting the best of me, or when trying situations tried my very peace of mind and frayed nerves were the order of the day. His patience on that Christmas morning still inspires me as a father. After the disaster, we spent the remainder of the day playing board games that Santa brought. He took my sister out for spin on her new bike and let me accompany in the new fire truck. I ended the day in his lap, the most secure spot imaginable for a tired kid who has just had what had to be the best Christmas ever. Looking back, it certainly rates. The tree looked beautiful even with its reduced number of ornaments in the dimmed light of the evening and the aroma of leftover turkey and dressing flowing through the small apartment. As I grew up after that Christmas, I can remember my father stopping in the most unassuming places to search for replacements for those particular balls, and he found a few each Christmas until he died when I was nine years old…. ironically on Christmas Eve. Over my decades as an adult my allotment of the remaining balls have disappeared, many the victims of a swinging Lab’s tail or a recently walking child’s pull, but one remains in our old box of ornaments. It’s more than just a red ball to me. It’s the reminder of the wonderful Christmas holidays I spent with my family as a child.

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.

And hanging that final red ball somehow assures me that my father is still here with me and my children, firmly planted in the hearts of his descendants. I’ll pause for a moment this Christmas Eve, just like I’ve done for the past, and say a word of thanks for the many things my father gave me in such a short period of time, none of them more important that the value of patience he so poignantly displayed on that Christmas morning so many years ago. And, hopefully, that one red ball will hang on a tree somewhere for many years to come.

Recruits graduate from Academy On Dec. 10, 12 of the sheriff ’s office’s newest recruits graduated from the Hanover County Criminal Justice Academy at a ceremony held at Life Church in Mechanicsville. Lt. Col. Thomas Woody delivered an address to the graduates on behalf of Col. David R. Hines, as well as presented them with their certificates and awards. Nine of the graduates will enter into the final phase of their training as patrol deputies,

where they will spend at least 15 weeks with a field training officer. Three graduates will receive additional training as court service deputies. In addition to the Hanover graduates, two recruits from the Ashland Police Department graduated from the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office Criminal Justice Academy. Also, the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office’s newest crime analyst com-

BOARD Continued from pg. 3

these kids by failing to adopt a policy.” The Virginia ACLU filed a complaint in Hanover Circuit Court on behalf of five families who have children affected by the failure to pass those guidelines in Hanover. School board officials had not received that suit as of Tuesday’s meeting, but once they do receive the complaint, they have 21 days to respond. Todd Gathje, director of Government Relations for the Family Foundation and a Hanover resident, conveyed his opinion on the recent filing. “In response to the ACLU lawsuits, I will remind you that a ruling in Lynchburg in July of this year that model policies are merely guidance and not regulations, basically giving local school boards the freedom to reject policy,” he said. “You are also aware that legislation will be brought this session to clarify that this is not mandated.” Gathje said the school board took no inappropriate measures when it opted to

Jim Ridolphi / The Local

Sarah Bridges reminded board members that protecting all students includes transgender kids in Hanover schools. She said a recent decision not to fully implement VDOE mandated policy perpetuates bullying of these students.

reject the model policy. “After hearing all sides, the school board voted to reject those policies because of the threat to bodily safety, privacy and constitutional rights of all students. It’s the policies that are of serious concern.” When contacted for a response on the complaint last week, Hanover School Board chair Ola Hawkins said she had no comment regarding the pending complaint, citing board policy not to comment

Photo courtesy Hanover County Sheriff’s Office

Shown are the newest recruits who graduated Dec. 10 from the Hanover County Criminal Justice Academy.

pleted her required training during this academy session. Over the past 22 weeks, each graduate successfully completed over 820 hours of instruction. In addition, the

recruits were tested on over 1,300 training objectives established by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. Anyone interested in

learning more about a career in law enforcement with the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office is encouraged to contact (804) 365-6110 or visit https://www.hanover-

on pending litigation. In other matters, board members approved a policy change that allows administration to hire substitute teachers with a minimum education requirement of a high school diploma. Assistant superintendent for Human Resources Mandy Baker said the adjustment is necessary to obtain enough substitutes to meet the system’s needs. “Retaining and hiring substitutes is constantly a priority for us and I’m here tonight to suggest we open up our candidate pool,” Baker told the board. “The Department of Education requires a minimum of a high school diploma for anyone who is going to work in the role as a substitute teacher, and many of our neighboring school divisions have adopted this approach,” Baker said. “I’ve polled our principals and curriculum specialists and asked their opinion, and the consensus was they too would like to move our Hanover requirement to a high school diploma,” she added. She asked board members

to approve the revision. They obliged with a unanimous vote to approve the change. “Is this is a change you see in other divisions across the state,” board member Sterling Daniel questioned. “Correct,” Baker said. In another matter, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Christina Berta presented updated enrollment figures for the board’s consideration. Official enrollment counts are submitted twice a year. Berta said enrollment as of Sept. 30 was 16,636 students, representing an increase of 290 students from 2020 enrollment figures. The September figures represent an enrollment that is only 13 students off from projections made last year. “That is incredibly good forecasting during the pandemic, so kudos to Ms. Stone and Ms. Six,” Berta said. Berta predicted a downward trend in enrollment for the next five years as the number of students graduating is larger than the number of students entering kindergarten in the county.

Projecting future enrollments includes factors like birth rates and future plans for development planned for the area. “We are continuing to see smaller kindergarten classes compared to our exiting 12th grade classes, so that trend will drive our numbers down in the out years,” Berta said. For the 2022-23 school year, officials are projecting a loss of 221 students. Regarding capacity in Hanover schools, Berta said, “We’re in good shape, even in the out years.” But, there are areas of concern such as Cool Springs Elementary School, a campus that is seeing increased enrollments due to several subdivisions added in the area. Those increases may result in the installation of

sheriff.com/178/PositionsAvailable. Submitted by Lt. James Cooper, Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office public information officer.

learning cottages, or enrollment could be redistributed if new campuses are constructed at other sites. “This is an area we will continue to monitor and see how those developments come to fruition,” Berta said. In other matters, board members considered a calendar for next year that includes a post Labor Day opening, but presented a pre-Labor Day start date for 2023-24 for consideration. Public comment is being accepted on next year’s plan and, although the county is required to take no action on the 2023-24 proposal, the public’s comments are also welcomed on that planned adjustment through Jan.6, 2022, at HCPScalendarinput@hcps. us.

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Ashland-Hanover Local December 22, 2021

Contributed photo

Realty Richmond and Shurm Homes adopt a Hanover family each year and purchases gifts for them.

Local real estate firm adopts family for holidays

By Jim Ridolphi Ashland-Hanover Local Realty Richmond and Shurm Homes is continuing what has become a tradition for the holiday season. Each year, the firm adopts a Hanover family and purchases gifts for them. “We started adopting a Christmas Family in 2016 when Realty Richmond was first established,” said Office Administrator Liz Bednar. “The program has been an annual tradition since.” It’s an all-hands-on-deck process that allows all employees to be involved. “All members of Realty Richmond and Shurm Homes come together to make Christmas magic happen for this family. We collected multiple outfits and toys for each child,” Bednar said last week. The families are chosen through Hanover County Services and are the recipients of good will of the employees who help, but the program benefits those who receive and those who give. “Giving back during the holidays is extremely important to Realty Richmond and Shurm

Homes. Contributing to the community and making Hanover a better place is a goal we all strive to achieve,” Bednar said. Although employees do the heavy lifting when it comes to collecting the gifts, the magic of the season is left with the parents and the children to enjoy. “We don’t meet directly with families so the parents can distribute the gifts with the excitement of the Christmas spirit,” she said. Gifts were collected and wrapped for this year’s effort. “This year we were excited to adopt a family of five children ages 1 to 7 years old,” Bednar said. Realty Richmond and Shurm Homes are both local family-owned companies. “We put family first and we are very proud to contribute annually to a Christmas family. We love volunteering for our community, and we plan on keeping this tradition going forward,” Bednar concluded. Realty Richmond and Shurm Homes is also home to the 16-foot Frosty the Snowman every holiday season.

LIBRARY Continued from pg. 5 

- 1 p.m. Join us to learn more about Medicare enrollment, costs and coverage. Find out about programs available for eligible individuals to save on Medicare costs and where you can go to find the answers to your Medicare questions. Presented by Senior Connections VICAP Department. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/. Call 804-798-4072 or visit the library at 201 S. Railroad Ave. for more information. n Reading Olympians Game Challenge at the Ashland Branch Library Thursday, Dec. 9, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. For ages 12-18. Bring a friend or teammate to create fun review games and trivia cards to help each other prepare for the contest. Registration required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/event/8076450. Call 804-798-4072 or visit the library at 201 S. Railroad Ave. for more information. n Afternoon Book Club at the Ashland Branch Library Monday Jan. 17, 1 – 2 p.m. Read our book of the month and engage in a lively discussion about it. Share views about the book and author and share reading recommendations. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/. Call 804-798-4072 or visit the library at 201 S. Railroad Ave. for more information. n Evening Book Club at the Ashland Branch Library Tuesday, Jan. 18, 7 – 8 p.m. Read our book of the month and engage in a lively discussion about it. Share views about the book and author and share reading recommendations. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/. Call 804-798-4072 or visit the library at 201 S. Railroad

Ave. for more information. n FAFSA Help Night at the Ashland Branch Library Thursday, Jan. 20, 6 - 8 p.m. Stop by the library for free one-on-one assistance in completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) with ECMC’s The College Place - Richmond. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/. Call 804-798-4072 or visit the library at 201 S. Railroad Ave. for more information. n Morning Book Club at the Ashland Branch Library Friday, Jan. 21, 10 - 11 a.m. Read our book of the month and engage in a lively discussion about it. Share views about the book and author and share reading recommendations. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/. Call 804-798-4072 or visit the library at 201 S. Railroad Ave. for more information.

Hanover Branch Library Take & Make Programs n Take and Make: New Year Nutrition Tips Starts Monday, Jan. 10 Stop by the Hanover Branch Library and pick up a packet with New Year nutrition tips to encourage better nutrition. Lots of information and healthy recipe ideas included. Call 804-365-6210 or visit the library at 7527 Library Drive to sign up or for more information. Lois Wickham Jones/ Montpelier Branch Library In-Person Programs n Mystery Book Club at the Montpelier Branch Library Monday, Jan. 10, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Join us for a monthly discussion on our favorite mystery titles. Registration required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/.

Call 804-883-7116 or visit the library at 17205 Sycamore Tavern Lane for more information. n Bath Bombs for Teens at the Montpelier Branch Library Saturday, Jan. 15, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. For ages 12-18. Melt your stress away! Learn to make bath bombs for the ultimate relaxation break. Registration required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal.com/. Call 804-883-7116 or visit the library at 17205 Sycamore Tavern Lane for more information. n Feeding Your Dog for Optimal Wellness at the Montpelier Branch Library Thursday, Jan. 20, 6:30 7:30 p.m. What does "all natural" mean? Are premium brands worth the money? We'll reveal marketing misnomers and identify reliable resources to help you maximize budget and your pet's health! Registration required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/. Call 804-883-7116 or visit the library at 17205 Sycamore Tavern Lane for more information.

ABOVE AND ABOVE

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REC members will enjoy super-fast connections once broadband internet is in place. The cooperative is facilitating local broadband partnerships that will energize progress in education and healthcare. This innovation will boost economic growth for large and small businesses. In addition, REC members have seen bill reductions in 2020 & 2021, the return of $23 million in Capital Credits since 2020 and $4.8 million in electric bill assistance to co-op families and businesses affected by COVID-19. REC. Going above and beyond to improve the lives of the people this co-op serves.

Cochrane Rockville Branch Library In Person Programs n Healthy Sleep Seminar at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library Wednesday, Jan. 12, 6 - 7 p.m. Are you getting enough sleep? Find out how to improve your sleep with Medicare Specialist Deanna Scott. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/event/8539162. Call 804-749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information. Submitted by librarian Carolyn Garner.

Ashland-Hanover Local December 22, 2021 9

Sports

UPCOMING EVENTS

22 2021

Prep basketball: Battle in Bird Cage at Hanover 1:30 p.m./5:30 p.m.

23 2021

Prep basketball: Battle in Bird Cage at Hanover 6:00 p.m.

| Youth, High School, College, Recreational & Professional

Holiday spirit aplenty at Hawk swim meet By Dave Lawrence Sports Editor RICHMOND — While relatively new among area swim invitationals, the Hanover Hawks Holiday Swim Invitational quickly established itself as a holiday tradition. Except for last year, when the usual winter swim season was postponed until the spring. This year, the meet returned. And neither the holiday nor the competitive spirit was diminished by the unplanned break. Nearly two dozen boys and girls teams from central Virginia and beyond showed up full of competitors determined to give it their best. By the time it was over, Western Albemarle’s boys dominated the field, amassing more than 150 points (457.5) than runner-up Mills Godwin (302). Maggie Walker Governor’s School was third with 189 points, followed by Cosby (180) and Blacksburg (161). James River (149), Atlee (127), Monacan (112), Hanover (97.5) and Midlothian (92) made up the rest of the top 10. The girls competition was closer, at least until the final relay. Monacan edged Cosby by three points, 288 to 285, for the win. The other top 10 teams were Mills Godwin (251) was third. Western Albemarle (240), Jamestown (198.5), Maggie Walker (161), Hanover (130), Blacksburg (121), Glen Allen (90) and Midlothian (81). For Western Albemarle swim coach Dan Bledsoe, the biggest reason for celebration

Dave Lawrence/The Local

Patrick Henry’s Amanda Barnard creates a pane of water as she slices through the lane on the opening leg of the girls 200-yard individual medley in the Hanover Hawks Holiday Swim Invitational at SwimRVA Saturday. Barnard finished second in 2:03.28.

at this traditionally merry meet — which continued with its tradition of a singalong of “Winter Wonderland” — was the fact that the meet was being held. “I just so happy that we’re back doing this,” Bledsoe said. “After last year, it was such a hitor-miss season . . . I was happy that we had a part of the season. But to have some bit of normalcy for these kids — it is a lot of fun. You can see the excitement in all the teams here. George [Massey] does an amazing job putting this on. It’s a good thing seeing the kids energized.”

Ashland-Hanover Local December 22, 2021

Western Albemarle’s boys swept all three relays. Thomas Heilman, Jack Smith, Jackson Schundler and Matthew Heilman won the 200-yard medley relay in 1:33.96. Sam Johnson, Richard Wang, Anthony Garono and Thomas Heilman won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:24.89. Thomas Heilman, Johnson, Smith and Matthew Heilman won the 400 freestyle relay in 3:06.41. Individually, Johnson won the 50 freestyle (21.47) and 100 butterfly (50.39). Matthew Heilman won the 100 freestyle

(46.90) and 100 breaststroke. Going into the final two events, only 20 points separated the Monacan girls from Western Albemarle in fourth place. But the Chiefs aired out their lead over the third- and fourth-place teams with a pair of top-4 finishes in the 100 breaststroke — Rachael Brown finished second in 1:04.10 and Piper Price fourth in 1:06.49 — and a fourth-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay (3:38.69). Runner-up Cosby, however, made the finish interesting, closing to withing three

points of Monacan with a win in the 400 freestyle relay. The Titans’ team of Allison Dodd, Claire Dafoe, Cynthia Huang and Lexi Stephens dropped 6.86 seconds off their seed time with a 3:30.32 finish. “It did get pretty interesting,” Monacan head swim coach Brian Singleton said. “It comes down to relays, but it kind of always does. But [the Chiefs] pulled through and had some big-time swims.” Monacan had two winning relay teams, opening with a victory for its 200 medley relay

team of Cassie Bauer, Rachael Brown, Carleigh Dillman and Raegan Canada (1:46.57). The Chiefs’ 200 freestyle relay team of Carleigh Dillman, Shannah Dillman, Piper Price and Canada also won (1:39.69). New meet records were set for half of the Hawk Invitational’s 22 events. In addition to Western Albemarle’s three boys relay wins — all three meet records — Matthew Heilman individually set a new meet record in the 100 breaststroke (56.22). Monacan’s girls set a new meet record in their win in the 200 medley relay. Cosby’s Claire Dafoe set a pair of meet records: in the girls 200 freestyle (1:50.40) and 500 freestyle (4:50.92). Mills Godwin’s Zoe Dixon set meet records in the girls 200 individual medley (1:58.44) and 100 butterfly (54.18). Ashland resident Christine Datovech set a pair of meet records for Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, first in the girls 50 freestyle (23.58) and second in the 100 backstroke (55.11). Among other county swimmers, Patrick Henry’s Amanda Barnard led the pack with 33 points. She finished second in the girls 200 individual medley and third in the 100 butterfly. She was also part of the Patriots’ 10th-place 200 freestyle relay team (with Caroline Cox, Maddie Medei and Kate Balut) and 11th-place 200 medley relay team (with Balut, Medei, and Carolyn Wright). see SPIRIT, pg. 12

Trojans seize title in Mechanicsville Classic Simon (DR) 4-2; 132: Noah Bentley (HAN) p. Ethan Turner (ORA) 2:22; 138: Austin Weeks (KW) d. Zach Hewins (VAR) 13-8; 145: Cameron Mckay (DR) d. Stuart Altman (MG) 3-1; 152: Knox Berry (MID) d. Jacob Koenig (MEC) 13-6; 160: Crew Gregory (MID) tf. Andrew Cheatham (POW) 5:46 (18-3); 170: Ashby Berry (MID) p. Hans Rehme (POW) 3:38; 182: Adam Camp (POW) p. Gabe Blair (ATL) 2:57; 195: Mitchell Johnson (POW) d. Tyler Wilkinson (DR) 5-1; 220: Jared Russett (JAM) p. Adam Elaal (MEC) 1:02; 285: Thomas Pierce (ORA) p. Brey Loving (DF) 0:41.

By Robby Fletcher Richmond Suburban News MECHANICSVILLE — Nineteen wrestling teams went to the mat at the Mechanicsville Holiday Classic Friday and Saturday, going head-to-head in an exciting two-day wrestling tournament. By the time wrestling ended Saturday afternoon, Midlothian’s Trojans had battled their way to the top with three first-place finishers and 184 team points. Midlothian’s tournamentwinning group was headlined by senior Crew Gregory (110), who ran through the 160pound bracket and won the title with an 18-3 tech fall over Powhatan’s Andrew Cheatham. Gregory was joined at the top of the podium by teammates Knox and Ashby Berry, who won first-place honors in the 152 and 170-pound competitions respectively. Orange County and Mechanicsville High School rounded out the top-3 in the competition with 163 and 160 points. One particularly impressive run was from Hanover sophomore Noah Bentley, who won the 132-pound title. Bentley won four straight matches by fall, including a wild title match with Orange County’s Ethan Turner that found Bentley needing an injury timeout after a tough fall on his head in the second period. Down 6-2 before the stoppage, Bentley would continue in the event and come back with a pin in the third period to give Hanover its only first-place finisher at the tournament. “You just have to be tough mentally and physically in all aspects of the game,” Bentley said. “At the beginning, he had me on my back a couple of

Joel Klein for The Local

Mechanicsville’s Jacob Koenig defeats Deep Run’s Ian Mayhugh 5-2 in a 152-pound semifinal. Koenig finished second overall.

times, and I really thought I was going to get pinned, but you just always have to stay in the match and think ‘I’m always going to win.’ ” Powhatan finished fifth in the team results but had two wrestlers take home first-place honors. Senior Adam Camp (4-0) had an impressive run through his weight class and concluded the tournament by securing a pin of Atlee’s Gabe Blair in 1:50. In his semifinal matchup with Dominic Turner of Orange County, Camp showed his strength by not allowing Turner to get any sort of momentum, getting a first-period takedown, a stellar reversal in the second and one final takedown in the third to

win by a 6-0 decision. “I was definitely shocked,” Camp said about the final. “That was my first time ever being in one, and it felt great to come out with a win. Our team’s just been practicing like crazy and working really hard, and it’s obviously showing.” The Indians’ other winner was senior Mitchell Johnson in the 195-pound class. Johnson, 8-1 on the season, won his final two matches by decision. In the semifinal, Johnson came out aggressive before settling into a more calculated approach once he took a 3-0 lead. He’d take the match with a 6-0 score. In the final against Deep Run senior Tyler Wilkinson, Johnson was just as patient to get his points,

earning two takedowns and an escape in the second and third periods to win with a 5-1 decision. While not having any athlete winning first place, the hosting Mechanicsville Mustangs had plenty of high-level performers in their home gym, including junior Jacob Koenig (8-3), who finished second in the 152pound bracket and generated 22 team points. Sophomore Carter Walton also gave the Mustangs 22 team points after finishing third in the 113-pound competition. Of the 19 participating schools, nine of them had athletes finishing in first place. Robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@powhatan-

today.com. Mechanicsville Holiday Classic (at Mechanicsville H.S.) Team scores: 1. Midlothian 184.0; 2. Orange County 163.0; 3. Mechanicsville 160.0; 4. Deep Run 157.0; 5. Powhatan 151.0; 6. Louisa County 143.5; 7. Varina 101.0; 8. Atlee 95.0; 9. Patrick Henry 93.5; 10. Hanover 86.0; 11. Douglas S. Freeman 63.0; 12. Jamestown 58.0; 13. Thomas Dale 54.0; 14. King William 49.0; 15. Mechanicsville `B` 44.0; 16. Mills E. Godwin 43.0; 17. Caroline 36.0; 18. Maggie L. Walker Governor`s School 35.5; 19. New Kent 28.0. Individual results 1st Place 106: Waylon Rogers (ORA) p. Sam Parsons (MID) 5:11; 113: Drew Fink (TD) p. Justin Jones (ORA) 5:53; 120: Jerry Simon (DR) d. Dylan Coward (POW) 7-2; 126: Owen Greslick (LOU) d. David

3rd Place 106: Eric Ludwig (ATL) p. Sara Forsyth (PH) 0:37; 113: Carter Walton (MEC) p. Michael Poindexter (VAR) 2:56; 120: Gianpaolo Ciotola (LOU) p. Grace Bolstad (MID) 1:50; 126: Gavin Utley (POW) d. Ryan Magill (MEC) 6-0; 132: Callad Gregory (MID) md. Jacob Maust (ATL) 8-0; 138: Alex Macfarlane (MID) p. Gavin Greslick (LOU) 2:37; 145: Kasey Casazza (LOU) md. Jackson Garnett (ORA) 8-0; 152: Ian Mayhugh (DR) d. Tanner Painting (LOU) 4-1; 160: Nick Torbush (LOU) p. Kevin Bagby (MEC) 4:21; 170: Copper Wendley (JAM) p. Zach Tyler (HAN) 1:29; 182: Dominic Turner (ORA) p. Jason Cooper (PH) 1:50; 195: Joseph Elaal (MEC) p. Bishop Casteel (KW) 2:00; 220: Malique Tunstall (CAR) p. Aiden Ball (PH) 0:26; 285: Nicholas Gagliardi (DR) p. Jordan Watson (PH) 0:41. 5th Place 106: Cameron Givens (VAR) d. Kaitlyn Klock (CAR), forfeit; 113: Blake Deschamps (PH) d. Mateo Duarte (ATL), forfeit; 120: Curtis Johnson (VAR) p. Mitchell Dye (TD) 0:43; 126: Jack Laroche (MLWGS) md. Jeremiah Adkins (VAR) 14-4; 132: Robert Tovornik (LOU) p. Linus Stansbury (PH) 2:18; 138: Tony Caramucci (MLWGS) d. Brian Holland (DR) 5-4; 145: Andrew Kozubal (MEC) d. Reid Garnett (DF), forfeit; 152: Aiden Hutchinson (NK) p. Jake Owens (MEC B) 2:16; 160: Zach Crowder (HAN) p. Chris Drozdowicz (MEC B) 3:29; 170: Nick Owens (MEC) d. Max Bidou (MEC B), forfeit; 182: Yousef Murshed (MEC) p. Daniel Mullins (MEC B) 0:18; 195: Braiden Swift (ORA) d. Matthew Notorianni (MID), injury (3:08); 220: Tim Graff (MLWGS) p. Trent Cannon (KW) 0:48; 285: Kivonte Eure (VAR) p. Adam Swanton (CAR) 3:35.

Ashland-Hanover Local December 22, 2021 11

County basketball teams stay busy as break begins Run in overtime, to Highland Springs by three, and, Thursday night, to Mills Godwin 64-51. The Eagles began the game with an 11-0 run to establish a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The Raiders got within five to end the period, but saw Mills Godwin up the lead to 12 at 29-17 at the break. Atlee (3-5) would only get as close as eight points, as the Eagles used timely shooting and good work at the free throw line to secure the win. Rally Axselle and Jacob Gompers each scored 11 points for the Raiders, while Garrett Bralley added seven. The Raiders next play in the Tri-Cities Holiday Tournament, which began Tuesday. They faced Dinwiddie in a firstround game at Hopewell High School after this edition went to press. Patrick Henry completed the 2021 portion of its schedule at the Ralph Crockett Holiday Tournament at J.R. Tucker High School. After defeating the host Tigers in the semifinal round Thursday, the Patriots faced unbeaten Manchester for the

championship. From the tip, the Lancers controlled both sides of the floor, defeating the Patriots for the crown 90-22, holding Patrick Henry (3-5) to just seven points in the second half. Christian Berry and David Ward each scored eight points for the Patriots, who will return to action on Jan. 4 hosting Armstrong, which defeated Tucker in the consolation game of the Crockett Tournament 66-56. Mechanicsville returns to play when the Mustangs host The Ville Holiday Classic beginning Tuesday. The boys will host the newly formed Grace Christian School, led by former Mechanicsville head coach Chad Bishop, in a semifinal at 7:15 p.m. Colonial Heights and King William round out the boys tournament field. There will be a girls tourney as well, with New Kent facing King William Tuesday in one semifinal, while the host Mustangs play Colonial Heights in the other. Play began at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Smith, Jackson Schundler, Matthew Heilman) 1:33.96; 200 freestyle: 1. Ryan Hufford (MON) 1:41.67; 200 individual medley: 1. Bryce Mortimer (MLWGS) 1:54.31; 50 free: 1. Sam Johnson (WA) 21.47; 100 butterfly: 1. Sam Johnson (WA) 50.39; 100 free: 1. Matthew Heilman (WA) 46.90; 500 free: 1. William Glass (MID) 4:37.90; 200 freestyle relay: 1. Western Albemarle (Sam Johnson, Richard Wang, Anthony Garono, Thomas Heilman) 1:24.89; Boys team scores: 1. Western 100 backstroke: 1. Crash Ackerly Albemarle 457.5; 2. Mills Godwin (MLWGS) 51.43; 100 breaststroke: 1. 302; 3. Maggie L. Walker Governor’s Matthew Heilman (WA) 56.22; 400 School 189; 4. Cosby 180; 5. freestyle relay: 1. Western Albemarle Blacksburg 161; 6. James River 149; (Thomas Heilman, Sam Johnson, 7. Atlee 127; 8. Monacan 112; 9. Jack Smith, Matthew Heilman) Hanover 97.5; 10. Midlothian 92; 3:06.41. 11. Patrick Henry 79; 12. Glen Girls team scores: 1. Monacan Allen 57; 13. Mechanicsville 51; 14. Matoaca 26; 15. Jamestown 25; 16. 288; 2. Cosby 285; 3. Mills Godwin Charlottesville 21; 17. Manchester 251; 4. Western Albemarle 240; 5. Jamestown 198.5; 6. Maggie L. 16; 18. Colonial Heights 11. 200-yard medley relay: 1. Western Walker Governor’s School 161; 7. Albemarle (Thomas Heilman, Jack Hanover 130; 8. Blacksburg 121; 9.

Glen Allen 90; 10. Midlothian 81; 11. James River 80; 12. Atlee 65; 13. Patrick Henry 60.5; 14. Colonial Heights 50; 15. Manchester 18; 16. Matoaca 14; 17. Deep Run 10; 18. Mechanicsville 1. 200-yard medley relay: 1. Monacan (Cassie Bauer, Rachael Brown, Carleigh Dillman, Raegan Canada) 1:46.57; 200 freestyle: 1. Claire Dafoe (COS) 1:50.40; 200 individual medley: 1. Zoe Dixon (MG) 1:58.44; 50 free: 1. Christine Datovech (MLWGS) 23.58; 100 butterfly: 1. Zoe Dixon (MG) 54.18; 100 free: 1. Wyllo Hanson (JAM) 51.69; 500 free: 1. Claire Dafoe (COS) 4:50.92; 200 freestyle relay: 1. Monacan (Carleigh Dillman, Shannah Dillman, Piper Price, Raegan Canada) 1:39.69; 100 backstroke: 1. Christine Datovech (MLWGS) 55.11; 100 breaststroke: 1. Riley Bridgman (CH) 1:03.32; 400 freestyle relay: 1. Cosby (Allison Dodd, Claire Dafoe, Cynthia Huang, Lexi Stephens) 3:30.32.

By Rob Witham for The Local HENRICO — As boys basketball teams worked their way to winter break, one bounced back from a loss to a perennial power for a key victory, another continued a tough stretch thanks, in part, to a key injury, and one, after getting a semifinal win in a tournament on the host’s home floor, ran into a buzzsaw in the title game. For the Hanover Hawks, after an 82-44 drubbing at the hands of Varina, now a fellow member of Region 4B, it was back to the drawing board for their matchup at home Thursday with Deep Run. “Event plus response equals outcome. This is something we talk about daily within our program,” said Hawks head coach Rob Rice. “The event is the past, response is the present, and outcome is the future. Our players know that the only thing we can control is our response which always impacts the outcome.” Thanks to a 14-point performance from senior Charlie

SPIRIT Continued from pg. 10

Hayden Bartz led Patrick Henry’s boys with 22 points. He finished sixth in the 500 freestyle and ninth in the 200 individual medley. He was also on the Patriots’ sixth-place 200 freestyle relay team (with Cole Nuckols, Michael Causey and Deklan Cauthorne) and 12th-place 200 medley relay team (with Nuckols, Kaleb Kashinejad, and Causey). Hanover’s Jordyn Dillard led the Hawks with 30 points. She finished in both the girls 200 and 100 freestyles and was part of the Hawks’ fifth-place 200 freestyle relay team (Allison

Rob Witham for The Local

Patrick Henry’s Aidan Ward (2) beats several Manchester opponents to a rebound Thursday night.

Rohr, and a double-double from Will Krickovic, who scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Hanover held off Deep Run 51-43 to improve its record to 4-2. “Our focus was on making Deep Run take contested shots and only giving them one shot per possession,” Rice explained. “The best teams defend at a high level, night in and night

out, and it takes discipline, effort, and unselfishness. We did that on Thursday, but still have a long way to go.” Owen DeShazo had nine points and seven rebounds in the victory. The Hawks are hosting their own holiday classic this week, “Battle at The Birdcage.” Original boys participant Powhatan pulled out over the

weekend due to COVID-19 protocols, so Hanover will face King George in the tournament’s final game on Thursday at 6 p.m. For Atlee, a 3-1 start seems like a lifetime ago as the Raiders are no in the midst of a fourgame losing streak. Playing without Drew Hollins, Atlee, after falling at Hanover, lost three straight at home: to Deep

Everhart, Cere Duplissey and Morgan Pittman) and sixthplace 400 freestyle relay team (with Emma Allison, Pittman and Duplissey). Sam Castle led Hanover’s boys with 29 points from fourth-place finishes in the boys 100 freestyle and fifth-place finishes in the 100 backstroke. He was also of two Hawk eighthplace relay teams: the 200 medley relay (with Bryce Newton, Henry Atkinson and Nathaniel Eliason) and 400 freestyle relay team (with Eliason, Nicholas Ligday and Newton). Mollie Ivie led Atlee’s girls with 29 points. She finished third in the girls 200 freestyle and sixth in the 100 butterfly. She was also part of Atlee’s 11th-

place 200 freestyle relay team (with Avery Jenkins, Emily Stevens and Morgan Pritchard) and 12th-place 400 freestyle relay team (with Jenkins, Taylor Downes and Pritchard). Jace Hollinger led the Raider boys with 25 points from a third-place finish in the boys 50 freestyle and ninth-place finish in the 100 freestyle. He was also part of Atlee’s fourth-place boys 200 medley relay team (with Tyler Caten, Brock Rempe and Brandon Harvey) and fifthplace 200 freestyle relay team (with Rempe, Harvey and Rempe). Tyler Hill led Mechanicsville with 24 points. He finished sixth in the boys 100 butterfly and eighth in the 50 freestyle. He

was also part of the Mustangs’ 12th-place 200 freestyle relay team (with Alex Pruemer, Cooper Early and Matthew Bock) and 14th-place 200 medley relay team (with Early, Jacob Brown and Pruemer). Dave Lawrence can be reached at dlawrence@mechlocal.com.

Ashland-Hanover Local December 22, 2021

LEGAL DISPLAY ADS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ASHLAND TOWN COUNCIL Please take notice that on Tuesday, January 4, 2021 at 7:00PM, the Ashland Town Council will conduct a public hearing at Ashland Town Hall, 121 Thompson Street, Ashland, Virginia on a proposed transfer of land to the Virginia Department of Transportation for road improvements on Route 1 between Ashcake Road and Arbor Oak Drive. The land is described as follows: ALL that certain strip or parcel of land identified as Parcel 1 consisting of +/5,129 square feet and as shown on the plat of survey by Halder Surveys, P.C., Chester, Virginia, dated October 21, 2021, entitled “Compiled Plat Showing Subdivision of .604 acre of land in Public Right of Way Ashland, Virginia.” This property is located off of Route 1, between First Capital Bank and Evans Group Inc. A copy of the proposed deed and any associated documents may be obtained by contacting Town Hall at (804) 798-9219, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Written comments may be submitted to Doug Goodman via e-mail at dougg@ashlandva.gov or through regular mail to Town of Ashland, PO Box 1600, Ashland, VA 23005. All interested persons may attend and express their views. 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 this matter. By Order of the Ashland Town Council LEGAL DISPLAY ADS

LEGAL DISPLAY ADS

PUBLIC NOTICE Code of Virginia Title 58.1 Section 3911 Town of Ashland real estate and personal property taxes for 2021 are due on January 18, 2022.

LEGAL DISPLAY ADS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ASHLAND TOWN COUNCIL Please take notice that on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 7:00PM, the Ashland Town Council will conduct a public hearing at Ashland Town Hall, 121 Thompson Street, Ashland, Virginia on a proposed donation and transfer of two parcels of land to the Virginia Department of Transportation for road improvements on Route 1. The land is described as follows: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT or parcel of real estate, consisting of a strip of land that is approximately 10’ wide and 232.59’ long adjoining Parcel A as shown on the plat entitled “Plat Showing Properties on the Eastern Line of U.S. Route 1 to be Dedicated to Virginia Department of Transportation” prepared by Halder Surveys P.C. dated December 6, 2021; and ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT or parcel of real estate, consisting of a strip of land that is approximately 10’ wide and 299.58’ long adjoining Parcel B as shown on the plat entitled “Plat Showing Properties on the Eastern Line of U.S. Route 1 to be Dedicated to Virginia Department of Transportation” prepared by Halder Surveys P.C. dated December 6, 2021. A copy of the proposed deed and any associated documents 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 Doug Goodman via e-mail at or through regular mail to dougg@ashlandva.gov, 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 this matter. By Order of the Ashland Town Council

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Ashland-Hanover Local December 22, 2021

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Daughters of the American Revolution Chancellor Wythe Chapter celebrate 100 years of service to the nation Contributed Photo

On Nov. 30, 1921, a group of 18 women met to form a new chapter in the women’s service organization, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR). They chose to name themselves after the great Virginian, Chancellor George Wythe, who was both a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and a mentor to Thomas Jefferson. For a century, Chancellor Wythe Chapter has dedicated itself to preserving history and serving communities in Richmond. The chapter carries on the legacy of this patriotic society and held a centennial celebration to honor its history and the hundreds of women who have chosen to join it. On Nov. 13, 2021, Chancellor Wythe Chapter celebrated its centennial with a full program of service to America and American history. DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization. It is dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education for children. Acting at a local level, Chancellor Wythe Chapter serves the greater Richmond area communities in a variety of ways. Community service ranges from providing scholarships and learning opportunities for students to securing grants for historic preservation of local sites. Chapter members have also helped restore cemeteries and the chapter continues to assist active-duty service members and veterans. Who is eligible to join DAR? Any woman 18 years or older who can prove lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. If you are interested in exploring membership opportunities in Chancellor Wythe Chapter, contact the chapter at https://chancellorwythedar.org/contact-us/.

Protect your home from cold-weather disasters when leaving town Contributed Report Ashland-Hanover Local Holiday cheer was put on ice for one Virginia family when they returned home from an extended Christmas vacation to find multi-floor water damage from a burst pipe in the attic. Ann Hardee, a Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. field claims manager, recalled a stream of water flowing outside from under that customer’s front door had turned to ice in the 2018 incident. “In this case, they turned the thermostat down to 55 degrees while they went out of town for a three-week Christmas holiday, but we had a cold snap right after Christmas,” Hardee said. “It was cold as the dickens!” As in many newer homes, the hot water tank was located in the attic. A pipe leading to the tank had frozen and burst in the

cold snap, causing extensive water damage on the second and first floors, resulting in $100,000 in losses. “We had to gut that house back to the stud walls,” Hardee said. “And everything had to be removed from the house. It was catastrophic, to say the least.” Even with the thermostat set in the 50s and sink cabinets left open, pipes in the attic can still freeze. Hot water tanks often are installed in attics to enhance the square footage of living spaces. “We handle many claims related to losses caused by hot water heaters in the attic,” Hardee said. “And those claims are more frequent during a warm winter when temperatures suddenly drop down to the 20s.” Inhabitants of newly constructed homes should be aware of this possibility, she said, and take precautions. Bump the thermostat into the 60s, and have a neighbor, friend or family member periodically check on the house. The same goes for secondary

homes that are inhabited sporadically. “Major losses can happen overnight,” Hardee added. “Have somebody come by and check things out.” VFBMIC’s property experts also recommend letting faucets drip during extreme cold and insulating pipes that are most susceptible to freezing, such as those running along exterior walls. Inspect and replace weather stripping, if necessary, and caulk around windows and doors to ensure your home’s interior stays cozy when temperatures plummet. If a snowstorm hits, use a snow rake to promptly remove accumulated snow to prevent roof damage. In addition, take steps to prevent ice dams—thick ridges of ice that build up along a roof edge and prevent melting snow from draining. Finally, perform routine roof maintenance throughout the year, inspecting and repairing any damage to fortify your home against winter-weather disasters and extend the life of your roof.

Ashland-Hanover Local December 22, 2021 15

Bike Walk Hanover receives Volunteer of the Year award

Contributed photos

Local community advocacy organization Bike Walk Hanover received the Volunteer of the Year award at the Sports Backers annual recognition event. Shown are images from Cool Spring Elementary School’s Walk and Bike to School days. Bike Walk Hanover has assisted the school with the event since 2019.

Contributed Report Ashland-Hanover Local Local community advocacy organization Bike Walk Hanover received the Volunteer of the Year award at the Sports Backers annual recognition event. This is the second year in a row that Bike Walk Hanover has been acknowledged for its efforts in the community. Since 2019, Bike Walk Hanover has worked with school principals, teachers, students and parents at Cool Spring Elementary School (CSES) to assist with their Walk and Bike to School days as part of the Safe Routes to School Program. This year's Walk to School Day had almost 200 students participate, almost double from the previous year. The program has

CALENDAR Continued from pg. 3

Sundays Outside the Walls, a Narcotics Anonymous group, meets from 6 to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the Pamunkey Regional Jail at 7240 Courtland Farm Rd. in Hanover. For more information, contact John Shinholser,

expanded to Chickahominy Middle School (CMS) as well, and the bike racks at both schools are overflowing on a daily basis this school year. CSES and CMS have Safe Routes to School Program committees and both have received grants from the Virginia Department of Transportation to expand bike racks. Other organizations have also come together to make this event a successful one, including Hanover County Sheriff's Office, Ride Finders, Chick-filLa Atlee Station, Bike Walk RVA and the Atlee High School Cheer Team. Last year's Bike Walk RVA Volunteer of the Year Award recipient was presented to Hanover advocate, Kelley Carlsen, who said “It was an honor to be recognized by Sports Backers for the work that we have been doing in Hanover to

encourage safer biking and walking.” This year's award was presented to Heather Dolan Allen. “We've been so fortunate to have a supportive community. The actions that we are doing today will shape the future not only for our community but also for our children. This is one of the many reasons why we started Bike Walk Hanover.” “In a time when being physically together has been challenging, this year’s Bike Walk RVA Volunteer of the Year has been doing the above and beyond work of bringing people together to improve biking and walking in their community,” said Megan Schultz, Sports Backers’ Chief Operating Officer. “This person has demonstrated leadership in fostering a group of biking/ walking activists and developing relationships

McShin president, at 804-249-1845. The website is http://www.mcshin. org.

Legion. There also will be donuts. Call Post Commander Eugene Truitt at 804-746-4734.

Tuesdays

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

A Commanders coffee is held from 10 to 11 a.m. at American Legion Post 90 at 17662 Beaver Dam Rd. in Beaverdam to discuss issues of interest/befits of the American

Ashland-Hanover Local December 22, 2021

with county supervisors and school officials to support safe routes to schools and across Hanover County.” Bike Walk Hanover is an advocacy group made up of local citizens who are passionate about biking, running, walking and active transport in Hanover County. The mission of Bike Walk Hanover is to create a safer, inclusive, connected community, and support active lifestyles across Hanover. Bike Walk Hanover is currently in need of volunteers for more programs across the county. They are also working with local county leaders and Sports Backers on the Fall Line Trail, which is a multi-use trail that will run from Ashland to Petersburg. More information can be found on their Facebook @ bikewalkhanover.

Membership is open to anyone who can read music and play a non-string instrument. High school students are welcome with parents’ permission. Visit www.hanoverconcertband.org or call 804-789-0536.

Thursdays The Ashland Rotary Club meets weekly at noon at the Iron Horse

Restaurant at 100 S. Railroad Ave. in in Ashland. For more information, contact Steve Dunham at 804-4966093 or sandrdunham@yahoo.com.

Third Mondays The Hanover County Community Services Board meets at 6:30 p.m. at 12300 Washington Hwy. in Ashland.