see BARTON

Christina Amano Dolan/The Local

Community members gathered at the Matthew and Daniel Barton Memorial Rink, located at 7232 Courtland Farm Road in Hanover, to celebrate the combined efforts of The Washington Capitals, Barton family, county and community in refurbishing the beloved community rink. Shown clockwise from top left: Trevor, Douglas and Carol Barton cut the ceremonial ribbon during the rink’s rededication ceremony, which was followed by a spirited round of applause by attendees; Peter Robinson, director of Capitals’ Youth Hockey Development, offers remarks on behalf of his organization during the rink’s rededication ceremony, and Trevor Barton, the son of Douglas and Carol Barton, speaks on behalf of his family about his late brothers’ love for hockey.

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Continued from pg. 1 rounding the ceremony that were open to both children and parents. Following the clinics, exhibition games were held with players from Richmond Roller Hockey League.

The day celebrated the combined fundraising efforts led by the Barton family and Hanover County Parks and Recreation to save the beloved community rink. The day also honored the journey of the Barton family and their meaningful service to the community in the face of tragedy.

“The Barton family has twice turned what many would have found to be an insurmountable family tragedy into a shining light of service for their community and a great example of partnership between local government and private industry,” said Angela Kelly-Wiecek, chair of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, during the rededication ceremony.

The original rink was built over 20 years ago in memory of Daniel and Matthew Barton, who tragically lost their lives due to disease at a young age. The two brothers shared a passion for hockey and began playing both inline and ice hockey at local facilities at a young age.

“From childhood to the day we weren’t able to play together any longer, hockey has been a passion for me and my two older brothers,” said Trevor Barton, who spoke on behalf of his family during the rededication ceremony. “…Every time I skate on the rink, whether it’s ice hockey or roller hockey, I remember them and I play for them.”

Douglas and Carol Barton set up community fundraising efforts to donate the rink to the county, which is now owned and operated by Hanover County Parks and Recreation. Over the years, the rink has served as a hub for local hockey enthusiasts of all ages to enjoy the game of inline hockey. The rink has also hosted middle school hockey, tournaments, pick-up hockey, fundraisers for several organizations and served other purposes over the years, marking its place as a staple to the Hanover community.

“I know countless families whose lives have been enriched by the legacy of your two beautiful boys,” Kelly-Wiecek said. “This place, where friendships have been built, character and sportsmanship instilled, and of course, where laughter and friendly competition abound, is an incredible and an inspiring tribute.”

In April 2020, the rink was deemed in critical need of repair and replacement and shut down as a result. The county advised the Bartons that it could take potentially three to four years to receive available funding.

Determined to rescue the rink from closure, Carol created a GoFundMe page to save and restore the rink that has served the community for decades. Today, the page has accumulated over $20,000 in community donations. In addition, Doswell Energy Center contributed a $25,000 donation.

In the spring of 2021, Peter Robinson, director of Capitals’ Youth Hockey Development, said he began receiving emails and tweets from community members regarding the Barton Rink’s need for refurbishing. After connecting with Dan Smith, the interim director for Hanover County Parks and Recreation, The Capitals Organization soon entered into an agreement with the county to fix up the rink.

The Capitals Organization

Contributed photos by Marie D’Angelo

In addition to the ceremony, street hockey clinics and exhibition games were held. Above, hockey players and longtime friends Freddie D’Angelo, Andrew Taylor and Philip Beethoven-Wilson test out the rink that they have been playing hockey on together for over 20 years.

made a combined $100,000 investment in the rink’s refurbishing, and renovations were officially finished in November 2021. It stands as the 14th rink that the organization has helped refurbish or build across Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia in an effort to invest in the growth of the sport.

The Capitals Organization has since furnished, replaced and installed the street hockey rink as a donation to the county and provided all rink boards, goal frames, fencing and new plastic skating tiles, a new scoreboard and The Capitals logo displayed throughout the rink. In addition, the organization will offer Hanover Parks and Recreation and all Hanover County Public elementary and middle schools new street hockey equipment and training. “We can feel the love and dedication to this rink and to the Barton family,” Robinson said during the rededication ceremony. “Thank you to the Barton family for your support. We really appreciate your love and dedication. And your sons are definitely not forgotten. They’re going to live on forever

see BARTON, pg. 16

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Christina Amano Dolan/The Local

Community members gathered at the Matthew and Daniel Barton Memorial Rink, located at 7232 Courtland Farm Road, Hanover, to celebrate the combined efforts of The Washington Capitals, Barton family, county and community in refurbishing the beloved community rink.

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Continued from pg. 15 at this rink.”

“I’m inspired by Doswell Energy, a local company that always asks, ‘How can we help,’” said county administrator John Budesky. “I’m inspired by a major sports organization that’s interested in helping our community and grow the sport of hockey. I’m inspired by the Barton family. Today, I thank all of you for your generous contributions to our county.”

Thanks to the united efforts of both the county and community, the Matthew and Daniel Barton Memorial Rink will continue to honor the lives of the two boys while carrying on their legacy in the community.

“Through all the support and your donations, both of my brothers’ passions for hockey can live on,” Trevor said. “With that said, my parents and I hope this rink will be utilized by groups of all ages.”

CALENDAR

Continued from pg. 2 Tuesday and Thursday and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at 7235 Stonewall Parkway in Mechanicsville (rear parking lot). The shop is available for residents in the 23111 and 23116 zip codes with identification and proof of residency.

Saturdays

Trinity Lutheran Church, Ashland Campus, located at 11515 Ashcake Road in Ashland two miles west of U.S. 1, holds its church service at 5 p.m. with Pastor Rev. Dr. Roy Minnix For more information, visit www.trinityrichmond.net or call 804-270-9626.

Sundays

All Souls Episcopal Church celebrates Holy Eucharist Rite II at 9:15 a.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church at 8154 Atlee Rd. in Mechanicsville. A nursery will be available for infants and toddlers. Katherine G. Dougherty is the Deacon in charge of All Souls. For more information, visit www.allsoulsva.org.

A Healing and Recovery SS Class meets at 9 a.m. at the Walnut Grove Baptist Church at 7046 Cold Harbor Rd. in Mechanicsville. The class is for adults 18 and over and is an extension of the NorthStar community that also meets at 6 p.m. Fridays at the church. The Christian 12 Steps and Biblical wisdom are the basis of study and discussion to learn about God’s place in our lives. All are welcome. For more information, call 804-746-5081 or contact Craig Simpson at craigwgbc@gmail.com.

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

Tuesdays

The Hanover Concert Band rehearses from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. every Tuesday, mid-January through mid-December, at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center at 500 S. Railroad Ave. in Ashland, just south of U.S. 54. Membership is open to anyone who can read music and play a non-string instrument. High school students are welcome with parents’ permission. Visit www.hanoverconcertband.org or call 804-789-0536.