01/14/2015

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January 14, 2015

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Vol. 5, No. 1

Parade chair honored for dedication

By Laura McFarland News Editor

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Contributed photo

The Cumberland High School students participating in the Mars Exploration Student Data Teams project with NASA are, from left, front row, Holly Tillett, Demory Williamson, Matthew Hazelgrove and Preston Sutton, and,back row, Chris Giles, John Meinhard, Kyle Shuart and Sean Stimpson.

Students working with NASA

By Laura McFarland News Editor

A

group of Cumberland High School students is looking to the stars in a new program that has them exploring

and researching Mars along with NASA scientists and students from around the country.

The group of eight students and two educators at the school make up one of the handful of Mars Exploration Student Data

Teams in the nation working with NASA on the project, said Lena Beloozerov-Moffatt, who teaches physics, astronomy and chemistry at the high school. see NASA > 3

Program receives grant, seeks mentors single-handedly been running the Cumberland County 4-H Mentoring program at Cumberland Middle School for most of 2014 when they learned mentoring program aimed at Cumberland they might be eligible for a grant from the Office of County middle school students received a Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. huge boon when it was awarded a $20,000 federal They applied and received the $20,000 grant, grant to help it grow. see Mentor > 4 Yvonne Earvin and Linda Eanes had almost

By Laura McFarland News Editor

A

INSIDE

EDUCATION: Students learn management practices P7 GOVERNMENT: Supervisors approve bids P10

fter 20 years of organizing the Cumberland Christmas Parade, Ray Turner thought he knew it pretty well.

But with the 2014 event, he saw a side of it he had never seen – the finished product.

Turner, a retired Virginia State Trooper, stepped down as chairman of the parade committee in 2014, figuring it was time to Turner let someone else take the lead.

The parade that was held on Sunday, Dec. 14 along Anderson Highway was the first he has seen start to finish in decades, because usually he was too busy making sure everything ran smoothly.

“It’s the first time I got to see it.

The new committee has done a great job,” he said.

His favorite part was the old cars.

“I’m just an old car nut,” he said.

Turner was honored in a small ceremony after the parade at the Cumberland Fire Department.

Several of his family members watched as the other members of the committee presented him with a see Turner > 3

Cumberland wrestling squares off against Powhatan in match, page 8

Santa Claus joined in the fun of the Cumberland Christmas Parade, page 7

Cumberland students awarded academic jackets, page 6

COMMUNITY: Holiday Lake Center’s winter activities P5 EDUCATION: School board honors Judy Sams P10

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Use caution when using winter heat sources

By Laura McFarland News Editor

M

ost people will agree that it is almost impossible to truly predict the weather. It is just too unpredictable.

In 2014, some people predicted that this winter was going to be the worst seen in years while others said it won’t be anything special.

Considering the ups and downs in temperatures we have already seen in the recent weeks, it isn’t clear how anyone can say with certainty what will happen.

One thing that seems likely though is there will be some cold days and nights ahead that have people snuggling up under blankets, lighting wood and gas fireplaces and wood stoves, and turning on heaters and space heaters.

As cozy as that sounds, each also carries potential dangers if not used correctly.

Mark Chambliss, chief of the Cumberland Fire Department, offered some tips to help people get through the cold months ahead with a much lower risk of a fire that risks lives and property: Smoke detectors: For something so small – and often cheap or even free – smoke detectors can be one of the best investments in home safety people can have and never use properly. Too often people don’t have them, don’t check the batteries or take them out because it might be beeping.

When they do this, they take away their first line of defense.

Portable heaters: Keep them a minimum of 3 feet away from flammable objects. This goes for electric, propane and kerosene heaters. Be mindful

of having them on carpet, which also is flammable and can be set on fire if the heater becomes too hot.

Read the directions on the machines and use and store them properly.

Chimney fires: These are common during the winter, and many could be prevented by having had the chimney properly inspected and cleaned annually, Chambliss said.

An inspector would look for is creosote buildup, which is extremely flammable.

“Once it heats up enough, it will almost catch on fire on its own.

It doesn’t even need the spark,” he said.

An inspector also would check for cracks in the chimney that could allow sparks to escape into the house frame and lead to a fire.

With gas fireplaces, he recommends having a company inspect propane and natural gas equipment – the lines, connections and logs – to make sure there is no leak in the system.

“It does make it more efficient, too. It is like a vehicle. When you service it, it is more efficient when you use it,” he said.

Storing fuel: Do not store anything inside the home. It needs to be stored outside. Use only

containers made to hold the fuel, not plastics such as milk jugs, which the fuel will “eat” through and spill.

Candles: Like portable heaters, candles need to be kept away from flammable objects, in this case by a clearance of 12 inches. Don’t put them near curtains or furniture, and put them inside a glass cup or on top of a saucer to catch any hot wax that could drip down onto material that could burn.

Chambliss pointed out that on the subject of emergency light in case of power outages, flashlights and battery-operated lamps are a much better option than candles.

Fire extinguishers: These are a small investment but a good idea for anyone who has a fireplace, woodstove or plenty of flammable objects in their house.

Remember to check the date on them as they can leak, especially if they have been used once. It is often better to Metro simply replace them.

Power outages: It’s the dead of winter and your power suddenly goes out.

Let’s say at the time you were cooking dinner running an electric heater, using a tool or operating some other kind of device that is plugged into an electrical outlet. Even though the power went out, did you remember to turn off the device/appli-

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Cumberland Today

January 14, 2015

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When power is out for hours or even days, people might seek shelter somewhere else. Meanwhile, their power comes back on and all of the lights, appliances and devices that were on when it went out are now on again. That could mean an unattended stove or oven getting blazing hot again or a space heater that was moved too near other objects and no one around to monitor it.

Also keep in mind that if your power is coming back on, other homes might be as well, leading to a power surge on the line if there are too many drains on the power suddenly coming back to life.

People also should have a winter readiness kit that includes a first aid kit, batteries, a radio, water and food to last through several days, a portable stove and other essentials.

Fireplace ash: It can take much longer for ash from a fire to cool than people expect, which may lead to a fire if it is not properly disposed of and is still hot. Do not keep hot ash in a container in the house or garage and especially not in a container designed for it.

Chambliss recommends spreading it outside and wetting it down in an area away from the house or any other immediate fuels, including structures, appliances and vehicles. The more tightly ash is packed into a space, the longer it takes to cool it down.

Fire usually destroys everything in its path and it is not something people should take lightly. The consequences are too high and all too preventable in many cases.

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Turner continued from >1 plaque thanking him for his years of service.

Barbara Gamage, a parade committee member, said in his 20 years as chairman, Turner put on some of the best parades in the county.

“He kept us organized,” she said. “In the first year without him, we did OK. It comes naturally now.”

“It was great this year,” Turner insisted, pointing out that in addition to the parade, the day was beautiful and without an icicle or snowflake in sight.

Turner remembers driving down the road one day more than two decades ago and thinking that the county hadn’t held a Christmas parade in many years. He talked to some friends and they formed a committee to bring it back.

“We did it for the children, the old folks and everybody in between,” Turner said.

Every year Turner was stressed about having enough parade entries, but he always pulled it off, Gamage said.

Kelly Perkins, Turner’s daughter, said her dad cares about Cumberland County and loves being involved.

“He loved doing the parade.

He wanted to have as much in it as possible,” she said. “He did a lot of work getting people in it.”

Parade committee member Kevin Ingle, who represents District 3 on the Cumberland County Board of Supervisors, said Turner and Gamage have always worked hard to keep the parade going.

“They have negotiated with groups for many years to keep them coming down,” he said.

Tony Mitchell of Prospect said Turner has been a lifelong friend and he has enjoyed working with him on the committee.

Turner’s wife, two daughters, one granddaughter, two greatgranddaughters and a son-in-law attended the ceremony.

NASA continued from >1 The project has the students study the surface of Mars using new advanced methods and NASA technology to search for clues about the possible current existence or former presence of water on the planet as well as information about its makeup, she said.

“It is very difficult to investigate a whole area of Mars because it is a big planet,” she said. “These teams, these kids will send their predictions that, for example, in this area most likely it will be phosphates or nitrates. They won’t replace scientists – they will work for scientists.”

Beloozerov-Moffatt volunteered to be the co-sponsor of the after school program along with John Brandt, a history teacher history with a passion for the history of discoveries.

The participating students are Christopher Giles, junior; Matthew Hazlegrove, freshman; John Meinhard, junior; Kyle Shuart, junior; Sean Stimpson, junior; Preston Sutton, freshman; Holly Tillett, freshman, and

Photo by Laura McFarland

Barbara Gamage, left, Ray Turner, Kevin Ingle and Tony Mitchell are shown at a small ceremony where Turner was honored for serving as chairman of the Cumberland Christmas Parade for 20 years.

Demory Williamson, sophomore.

It’s still early days for the team’s participation in the program, but they are looking at it as a long-term investment of time and energy, Beloozerov-Moffatt said. Potentially she would like to see some of the students stick with the program for years.

Cumberland High School applied and was accepted into the program and organizers held a meeting to determine which students might be interested in participating, she said.

Sutton said he liked the idea of making a contribution to great scientific research. Al great scientists had to start out small and rise to that level, he added.

“I think we all can agree that this is a real honor to given an opportunity to participate in such an amazing program as observing Mars,” Sutton said. “It is not something that happens every day to students. It is a real honor to be chosen.”

Hazlegrove said he was interested in the technology NASA had and how those new technologies could identify elements on Mars to tell if there was water there before.

“When we used the tools and looked at the different images of Mars, it made me more interested in doing this project.

I think it will be fun and something that will help us in the future,” he said.

With the team of eight in place, the

“I think we are really hoping to give a contribution to science and to build ourselves a building block to where we want to go in the future.”

Holly Tillett Freshman, Cumberland High School

students already had one video conference with NASA scientists in the fall.

The first step is understanding the geography of Mars – knowing where different things are, the planet’s traits and geographic features, Brandt said.

“A lot of people are aware of Google Earth but there is a Google Mars. Much like you can play around with Google Earth, you can play around with Google Mars,” he said.

The students have been using that program a great deal to learn about landmarks such as different volcanoes and the Valles Marineris, a systems of canyons on Mars’ surface, Tillett said.

“It is pretty cool. It feels like I am in a science fiction show,” she said.

The students will have maps of Mars to study as well as the electronic resources, Beloozerov-Moffatt said.

This winter, the students will start training by learning to use relevant NASA technology, what they will be looking for and how to decipher the raw data into useable information, Brandt said. They have access to video conferences being held between NASA and the participating teams and discussion boards being used by everyone involved.

“Come the spring, that is when we will start introducing them to data and getting them involved in the actual results,” he said.

The students will have video conferences with NASA every few weeks.

The program is a great incubator for students with a budding interest in science and exploration to help them grow their skills and knowledge, BeloozerovMoffatt said.

“This program is also good for school and giving the students confidence,” she said. “The meaning of being in this program is these kids are looking a little bit further. They know how to hone their dream and how a dream becomes a goal.”

Getting young minds involved in science early is part of that new way of looking at things, Brandt said.

“NASA is able to take advantage of an untapped resource and use it for the advantage of everyone,” he said.

In addition to the way the program is helping the students develop now, it also looks good on a college resume and could lead to scholarships, he said.

Tillett said she is interested in a career in science and that she loves the idea of the connections she will be making in the world of science.

“I think we are really hoping to give a contribution to science and to build ourselves a building block to where we want to go in the future,” she said.

Cumberland Today

January 14, 2015

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Turner continued from >1 which runs from December 2014 to January 2016, opening wide the door of possibilities for the program, Eanes, 4-H agent with the Cumberland Extension Office, said.

Until that point, the program aimed at bringing more positive role models into young people’s lives was funded almost entirely out of the two women’s pockets, she said.

“We didn’t have a budget so we made do. Now we have funds available, so it is a huge benefit for the kids and for the families.

They just don’t know it yet,” Eanes said.

Cumberland County is only the fourth jurisdiction in the state to replicate the national program, which has been available in Virginia for five years, Earvin, 4-H mentoring coordinator, said.

Cumberland is the newest and most rural addition.

The grant will allow her to draw a part-time salary as well as pay for activities for the student programming and family nights out and training for mentors.

Earvin and Eanes are going to a week-long conference in mid-January in Maryland to learn about the program along with other grant recipients from across the country, she said.

With the money in place, the next big step for the organizers is to find volunteer mentors who are willing to give their time to support and encourage local youth, Eanes said.

Even with a small number of

children in last year’s program, it used a group mentoring model instead of the one-on-one ratio they would prefer, Earvin said.

“We have the opportunity now to reach out to the community and find folks who are interested in supporting young people,” Earvin said.

Mentors need to be willing to spend time with a youth once or twice a week after school and during the family night outings, she said.

Mentors can be from all different age groups, backgrounds and races, she said.

None of those factors matter as long as the mentor is willing to provide support, encouragement and consistency, she said.

“They have to have a willing heart to work with young people and have a temperament for dealing with young people who may Contributed photo top/inset photo by Laura McFarland be dealing with challenging issues in their lives,” Earvin said.

Linda Eanes, left, and Yvonne Earvin (inset photo) started the Cumberland County 4-H Mentoring program at Cumberland Middle Mentors also must go through School in 2014 and now have the means to grow it thanks to a $20,000 federal grant. One of the activities in 2014 was archery. a criminal background check and training. other organizations, to see what in a group mentoring model, “We would like to serve 30 mentoring program can offer worked or didn’t, she said.

Earvin said. They still hoped to young people. We want to do students, but the most important Building a program “We didn’t reinvent the wheel, one day move toward a one-one- one-to-one mentoring. That is aspect is still putting someone in we used researched information. one mentoring model. our goal,” she said. their lives who are positive and In late 2013, Earvin and Eanes Evidence-based practices were Eanes was talking to another The pair sees 2015 as a new encouraging, Eanes said. heard about a plea from schools utilized in the initial planning extension agent from Hanover start for the program. It is appro“Research shows that having administration for people inter- and it was a key component in the County when she learned their priate they are focusing on that one person in your life who cares ested in providing a mentoring grant structure, too,” she said. mentoring program had been new beginning in January, which about you can make a huge difprogram for some of the youth The pair had volunteer men- receiving the federal grant for is National Mentoring Month, ference,” she said. “I think young and decided to become involved, tors come to help but Earvin and five years. she said. people recognize when people Earvin said.

Eanes remained the backbone of As soon as they knew the “We are excited to see positive consistently show up in their lives Over the next couple of the group as they did activities grant was available, they started results with our young people and they respond to it.” months, the organizers researched such as archery, making ice cream reaching out to potential mentors and their families,” Earvin said.

For more information, condifferent mentoring programs and hiking with the students. to be involved in the program, There are many opportuni- tact 804-492-4390 or yvonne. nationwide, both within 4-H and They mentored six students Earvin said. ties that already exist that the earvin@yahoo.com.

CALENDAR WEDNESDAYS The World War II Round Table holds meetings beginning at 7 p.m. at the Father Val Hall of St. John Neumann Catholic Church located 2480 Batterson Road in Powhatan.

Cumberland County Public Library will hold Mother Goose on the Loose, a new story time option for all children from birth to age 3.

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Cumberland Today

It meets at 10 a.m. Wednesdays.

The story hour uses songs, nursery rhymes, lap-sit activities, movement, music and early literacy techniques into the library program.

invited to an hour of stories, nursery rhymes, songs and crafts.

THURSDAYS

Rotary Club of Farmville meets at Cumberland County Public Library noon at Charley’s at 201 B-Mill St. will hold Reading with Ellie Mae at in Farmville.

11 a.m. on Wednesdays. Ellie Mae the Reading Dog visits the library for SATURDAYS Preschool Story Time. Pre-school age children and their caregivers are Centra Southside Community Hos-

January 14, 2015

pital will hold a childbirth class from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7 on the first floor conference room of the hospital, 800 Oak St., Farmville.

The class will be taught by a certified lactation instructor. For more information or to register, call or text Fran Hill at 434-547-9637.

The Farmville Area Community Emergency Services (F.A.C.E.S.) Cumberland branch food pantry

is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays except the fifth Saturday on Fleming Road. Donations of food or money accepted to help support the program. The first time they come, new participants should bring proof of residency in Cumberland County, a photo ID and proof of income. For more information, call 804-492-4115.

see Calendar > 9

Center plans activities for winter, spring

The Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center doesn’t plan to let cold weather keep it from helping people embrace a love of the Great Outdoors.

The center in Appomattox laid out its winter and spring schedule to let residents of the 17 counties it covers, including Cumberland County, take advantage of them, according to Bryan Branch, its director.

The center staff is working to design and implement a variety of programs based on the needs of clients and what the facilities can do, he said.

“We want to improve the quality of life through educating youth and adults in a natural setting,” he said. “Our programs cater to those qualities. Even though some are indoors, they cater to outdoor programs.”

There are classes aimed at both adults and children and cover a wide variety of interests.

The center will hold Winter Cloverbud for ages 5 to 8 from Feb. 7 to 9 and have an oil painting workshop for ages 15 and up on Feb. 20.

A decoy carving workshop for adults will be held from March 8 to 12 and people interested are asked to register a month in advance to give the instructor time to prepare the materials.

Other events in March include a Holiday Lake 4-H annual raffle for family, March 14, an oil painting workshop for ages 15 and up, March 17 and a banjo and mandolin building workshop for adults from March 29 to April 3.

As the weather hopefully warms up a little, the offerings will aim at getting people outdoors more, Branch said.

There will be a 4K for 4-H Fun Run/Walk for families on April 11, a fishing camp for

ages 9 to 13 from April 24 to 26, a Virginia hunter skills weekend for family for ages 11 to 18 with an adult from May 1 to 3, a women’s outdoor weekend family for ages 10 to 18 with an adult from May 8 to 10 and a family camp from May 25 to 29.

A bluegrass festival for all ages will be held on June 6.

The center also has a Natural Resource Education Program that includes both day and overnight trips for schools and groups who are interested in learning hands-on in the outdoors. The programs help students learn concepts and ideas that can be taught in the classroom while also allowing them to experience natural resources in the outdoors.

The Natural Resource Education programs are correlated with the Virginia’s

Standards of Learning and focus on natural sciences, life science, life-skill development and leadership development.

“We want people in Cumberland to look at us as a place where they can come and learn and grown and have a good time,” Branch said.

Once the center’s summer camp is in full swing, it doesn’t have many additional events until it is over at the end of August.

Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center is located in the 20,000 acre Appomattox/Buckingham State Forest located in Appomattox County. Its district is made up of 17 counties and two cities.

For more information on any class, contact 434-2485444 or go to www.holidayStudents learn to paint a fall scene of Holiday Lake in the style of Bob Ross. lake4h.com.

Contributed photo

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Cumberland Today

January 14, 2015

5

Students of the month honored

SCHOOL NOTES

Contributed photo

Longwood displays artwork The artwork of three Cumberland County students is on display through May 2015 in the 2014 Area Youth Art Exhibit in the Hull Building of Longwood University.

The exhibition represents schools from nine counties and is sponsored by the Longwood University College of Education and Human Services and Longwood Center for Visual Arts. The Cumberland students included in the show are Cheyenne Crenshaw, Cumberland Elementary School, Linden Czeizinger, Cumberland Middle School, and Logan Ross, not pictured, Cumberland High School graduate. They were recognized for their achievement at the Nov. 10 meeting of the Cumberland County School Board.

Contributed photo

Academic jackets awarded Contributed photo

The Cumberland School Board recognized Students of the Month at its meeting on Monday, Dec. 8. The students who won were Taytana Brooks, first grade, daughter of Tyneisha James and stepfather Ricky James; Blessin Franklin, seventh grade, daughter of Chiquita Franklin; and Maria Gamez (not pictured), ninth grade, daughter of Juan and Carolina Gamez.

sponsored by the Virginia Schools Boards Association.

The event was held on Monday, Nov. 10 prior to the kickoff of the VSBA annual Convention. Wesley Marshall and Ciera Whaley presented the business plan for Contributed Report the Cumberland Duke Enterprise school Under the direction of Cheryl Davis, store. two Cumberland High School students The Student Achievement Fair is attended the Student Achievement Fair designed to showcase student achieve-

Achievement fair caters to leaders

ment and to give school division leaders an opportunity to see exemplary programs that are improving student achievement across the Commonwealth.

The business plan exhibited by Wesley and Ciera was a prime example of project-based learning, whereby high school students learned valuable marketing and 21st Century skills by operating a real business.

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Contributed Report

Cumberland High School awarded 49 students with an academic jacket at an award ceremony held on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

The event was held in the CHS gym with parents and the student body present to watch the recipients receive their jackets.

The JROTC did the presentation of the colors at the start of the ceremony, followed by the playing of the National Anthem by the CHS Band, led by band director Anthony Gocha. Dakoda Boyles, the junior class president, gave the welcome.

All students receiving jackets were called to the podium, where their parents, guardians or teachers assisted them in putting on their jacket.

To be eligible for a jacket, students had to have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Principal Jeffrey Scales, assistant principal Cora Tolliver, and guidance counselor Meribeth Ewing announced the recipients and shook hands with students and parents.

The recipients who were awarded jackets were Evan M. Arrighi, Shelby EmilyAnne Atkins, John Ryan Bapties, Issac Lewis Blanton Jr., John Alexander Blanton, Deitrich LaTroy Brown, Jalen

Krishaun Brown, Justin Isaiah Caban, Samuel Bedford Cahoon, Chase Edward Davis, Jennavive Christine Dayton, Ross Tyler Fillman, Brenna Michelle Halvorsen, Taneijha Ja’shae Hampton, Savannah Grace Harlow, Annesha Doris Harris, Kyrra-Mae Inez Walker Hodges, Kevin Robert Huddleston, Thomas Lee Huddleston, Jody Lynn Jefferies, Jessica Lauren Johnson, Vanessa Joyce-Lynne Jones, Joseph Daniel Kingsley, Del-Monta Malic Langhorne, Kayla Zahkael Lawson, Tamra L. Lincoln, Brittany Alysse Lowe, Alexa Rene’ Massey, Derek Ryan Massey, Sarah Michelle Massey, Breanna Morgan Meinhard, Brenton Alexander Morris, Ian Cameron Oliver, Morgan E. Ownby, Taylor Nicole Parker, Jacob Paul Perry, Karli Elizabeth Raby, Waylon J. Rhymer, Gina Marie Rucci, Alexis Wyatt Salinas, Kiara Charmaine Samuels, Tyler Wilson Shores, Ajah Katlyn Smith, Kajah Ashley Smith, Cara Nicole Thompson, Michael Alexander Turner, Colby Edward White, Nicholas Hart Wilson and Olivia R. Yonce.

A reception prepared by Margaret Dawson’s culinary arts students was held in the cafeteria after the presentation of the jackets.

Christmas Parade

PHOTOS BY LAURA McFARLAND

. 14 to watch dozens People lined the streets on Dec groups, dignitaties and more in of community, church and civic ade. the Cumberland Christmas Par

Workshop shares management practices Contributed Report

Two Cumberland High School students, Haven Langhorne and Wyatt Salinas, attended the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Student Leadership Workshop held in Williamsburg as part of the VSBA annual conference.

The Student Leadership Workshop is designed to develop leadership skills and to foster opportunities for students to assume leadership roles.

During the annual conference, more than 1,000 school board members, superintendents, division administrators, education officials and others gathered to learn about nationwide and statewide trends, to meet and learn from key policy officials and to bring back new best management practices to their home school divisions.

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Route 60 Cumberland Courthouse 1587 Anderson Hwy | (804) 492-4356 Hours: Mon-Fr 8-6 Sat 8-4 Contributed photo

Cumberland Today

January 14, 2015

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Cumberland Today Sports Dukes fall to Powhatan in pre-Christmas dual Dukes lose forfeit-laden match in Powhatan’s first home slate in three years

Cumberland’s Gustabo Lopez (left) does battle with Powhatan’s Stephon Lemmons during the heavyweight bout. The Dukes forfeited five weight classes, losing 71-24 to their foes from the East.

By Mike Schoeffel Sports Writer

Cumberland’s wrestlers proved their toughness during a visit to Powhatan High School last Wednesday, though their grit ultimately proved no match for the seasoned Indians team.

Cumberland (Group 1A), which has a much smaller enrollment than Powhatan (Group 4A), would ultimately fall 71-24 to Powhatan after being forced to forfeit five weight classes.

The Indians won five of the six weight classes that actually featured a match, three by way of pin, one by injury default, and one via technical fall.

Cumberland’s lone victory came in the 120pound division, when John Baptist pinned Grace Dajoya in the first round.

In the 145-pound division, Powhatan’s Bailey Coates defeated the Dukes’ Josh Deisen by way of injury default. Deisen, who was competing move-for-move with Coates prior to the injury, landed hard on his right shoulder and stayed down on the mat for several moments, in obvious pain. After being examined by Powhatan trainer Mike Puglia – and grimacing in agony as he tried to lift his extended right arm above his shoulder – the match was called off and Coates was awarded the victory.

The 185-pound weight class saw the Indians’ first pin of the night. With only 1.6 seconds

Match Results Powhatan 71, Cumberland 24

Photo by Anjie Henley

remaining in the second round, Powhatan’s Sean Mullen pinned Trevon Foster to give the Indians a 48-18 lead. Foster never gave up, but Mullen ultimately earned his first varsity win.

The final match of the evening was perhaps the most anticipated. Powhatan’s Elijah Jordan – who last season became the first freshman in Powhatan history to qualify for the state tournament – was pitted against Davidrick Brooks in the 106-pound division.

Jordan wowed the crowd with some tricky 138: S. Jordan (P) by forfeit 145: Coates (P) inj def Deisen (C) 152: Smithgall (P) by forfeit

106: E. Jordan (P) tf Brooks (C) 23-8

160: Foster (C) by forfeit

113: Gerardi (P) by forfeit

170: double forfeit

120: Baptist (C) pin Dajoya (P) 1:34

182: Mullen (P) pin Foster (C) 3:59

126: King (P) by forfeit

195: double forfeit

132: Somerville (P) by forfeit

220: Smith (P) pin Phillips (C) 0:43 285: Lemmons (P) pin Lopez (C) 3:40

8

Cumberland Today January 14, 2015

finesse moves, but Brooks wasn’t easily defeated. To his credit, he squirmed out of every move that Jordan put on him, extending the match deep into the third round.

Still, while Brooks stayed busy avoiding the pin, Jordan was racking up the points. Jordan was awarded the 23-8 technical fall victory – wrestling’s version of the “slaughter rule” – with a little over a minute remaining in the third round.

The Dukes hosted their lone home match of the ‘14-15 season last evening, taking on Amelia and Northumberland.

They have seven matches remaining on their regular season schedule before entering the conference tournament on Friday, Feb. 13.

Photo by Anjie Henley

Cumberland’s Davidrick Brooks (blue) attempts to squirm out of Elijah Jordan’s grasp during the 106-pound match - the final match of the night. The Dukes were put in the hole early after forfeiting five weight classes, and they ultimately fell to Powhatan 71-24.

OBITUARIES

Agnes Humphrey Conner

Margaret James

JAMES, Mrs. Margaret Johnson, 70, of Cartersville departed this life on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, in Richmond. She is survived by her husband, Curtis Sr.; three sons, Ricky (Barbara), Curtis Jr. (Tammy) and Eugene (Fern); three daughters, Minister Etta Crook (Bishop Dwayne), IdaVaughan (Carter Sr.) and Clara Jenkins (Lawrence); 16 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Lawrence Johnson (Shirron); two sisters, Nellie Williams (Melvin) James and Ann Mosby (Edward); three aunts; two sisters-in-law; two brothersin-law and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Her remains rested at Marian Gray Thomas Funeral Home, where public viewing was held on Friday, Dec. 19. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Dec. 20 at Rising Zion Baptist Church, Cumberland, with interment in the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery, Cartersville.

The Rev. Alvin Witcher, pastor, officiated, Bishop Dwayne Crook presided and the Rev. Norris DOWDY, John H. Sr., 79, of Cumberland, died Lewis was the eulogist. Online condolences may on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015. He is survived by his wife, be made at www.mariangraythomasfuneralNancy E. Dowdy; daughters, Kathryn Phillips and home.com.

Len Bowker; son, John H. Dowdy Jr.; sisters, Lucille, Margaret, Brenda; 10 NEWCOMB, Clifton R., 66, of Cartersville, grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He known affectionately as “Newc,” passed away was preceded in death by a on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, after a brave battle with cancer. He was preson, Leonard Dale Dowdy. ceded in death by his father, The family received friends Raymond R. Newcomb. He on Tuesday, Jan. 6 in Dowdy is survived by his mother, the Bennett and Barden Violet; wife, Jane; daughFuneral Home, Powhatan. Graveside services ters, Tina, Jennifer and were held on Wednesday, Jan. 7 in the Center Whitney; stepson, Charles, Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Cumberland. and siblings, Judy, Wanda, Online condolences may be made at www.benWendy and David. He was nettbardenfh.com.

Newcomb CONNER,Agnes Humphrey,87,of Cartersville went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Joseph C. Conner; four children and their spouses, Kathie Mendez (Arthur), Jerry Conner (Gina), Rebecca Carlisle (Steve), Stephen Conner (Teresa); brother, John Humphrey; sister, Carleen Campbell; six grandchildren and three Conner great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Kenneth and Michael Conner. The family received friends on Thursday, Jan. 8 in the Bennett and Barden Funeral Home, Powhatan, where funeral services were held on Friday, Jan. 9. Interment Cartersville Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.bennettbardenfh. com.

John Dowdy

Clifton Newcomb

Calendar

1834 or 804-357-6730 or 804-512-8835.

continued from > 4

MONDAYS “Christian Motorcyclists Association Powhatan” chapter Centra Southside Community Hospital will hold a Living Wheels meets at 6 breastfeeding class from 6 p.m. on the third Saturday to 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. of each month. The public is 2 in the quad conference invited to join the members located behind the hospital, at Company 1 Fire Station 800 Oak St., Farmville. The at Old Buckingham Road class will be taught by a and Mann Road. For more certified lactation instructor. information, call 804-598-

For more information or to register, call or text Fran Hill at 434-547-9637.

A free health screening is offered from 4 to 7 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at 2294 Cartersville Road in Cartersville (the old Cartersville Medical Building). The screening includes checks for blood pressure, BMI, weight, glucose, height, and cholesterol.

No appointment is necessary.

Contact 804-375-9850.

an accomplished contractor, builder and master of trades, including the five-string banjo. The family would like to extend love and gratitude to his banjo buddies, The Virginia Cancer Institute and The Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital. A visitation was held on Thursday, Dec. 18 at Bliley’sChippenham. A graveside ceremony followed at Dale Memorial Park. A Bluegrass Memorial Jam in honor of Newc will be held at Cartersville Tavern at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, Box 24, Cartersville, VA 23027 to receive any gifts in his memory.

and Queen, Virginia; a beloved sister, Phyllis “Philly” Landrum of Richmond; sister-in-law, Dorothy “Dot” King of Red Oak, and a number of nieces and nephews. Sue was a longtime faithful member of Williamsburg United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed many dear friends.

During her lifetime, Sue especially enjoyed being a homemaker, family get-togethers, fishing with family and traveling with her husband, Mike.

The family received friends on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at Nelsen Funeral Home, Williamsburg. A funeral service was held on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015 at Williamsburg United Methodist Church, Williamsburg with burial immediately following at James City Chapel Cemetery at Norge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Williamsburg SCOTT, Bishop Willie Royal Sr., 77, of United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Rd., Cumberland, departed this life on Monday, Jan. 5, Williamsburg, VA. 23185.

2015. Arrangements entrusted to March Funeral Home, 2110 E. Laburnum Ave. Funeral notice later.

WEST, Mrs. Jannie E. Crump was born on June 25, 1927 in Cumberland County to the late Nannie Crump and Moses Booker. At an early SHELDON, Susie King, went home to be age, she accepted Christ as her Personal Savior and with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014. She joined the Center Union Baptist Church, where passed away peacefully while at Patriots Colony her membership remained until her passing.

Springhouse Nursing Home in Williamsburg. Sue Jannie was a kind and loving person. Even when was born on June 14, 1924, the daughter of Annie she wasn’t feeling her best, she never complained. and Esther King, on a small farm near Sunny God saw that she was getting tired. Her smiling Side in Cumberland County. She was preceded in face, kind and gentle ways, will be missed by her death by her best friend and husband of 67 years, family, friends and community. On Sunday, Dec. Oscar Cecil “Mike” Sheldon; a loving daughter- 14, 2014 our hearts were saddened when Jannie in-law, Jean Sheldon; a sister, Polly; three brothers, was called from labor to rest. She was preceded in Booker, E.N. and Caroll King, and sisters-in-law, death by her husband, Linwood West; daughter, Roxie, Ida, Virginia and Francis Sheldon, Nellie Willie West Taylor; two sisters, Beatrice Hughes Stonnell, Helen Jennings and Evelyn King. She is and Sue Crump Trent, and two brothers, Wardell survived by her son, Sidney “Mickey” Sheldon and Trent and John Crump. She leaves to cherish wife, Elaine; two grandsons, Steven Sheldon and two grandsons, Lawrence Taylor (Cassandra) and his wife, Sharon of Dolphin, and David Sheldon Christopher Taylor (Deloise); two great grandof Center Cross.; two great-grandchildren, Sarah daughters, Candida and Candace; along with a Howerton of Dolphin and Jonathan Sheldon of host of nieces, one devoted, Susie A. Robinson; Kingsport, Tennesse; one step-great-granddaugh- nephews; cousins, two devoted, Lillian Motley ter, Whitney Davis of Raleigh, North Carolina; and Pearl Cornelius, and friends, three devoted, one step-great-grandson, Chase Mayer of King Barbara Lee, Charles Crump and Sybil Gregory.

Willie Scott

Jannie West

Susie Sheldon

The Loaves of Love Food Pantry will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. the first Monday and from 3 to 5 p.m. the third Sunday of each month at 2294 Cartersville Road in Cartersville. Contact 804-512-7547 or go to www. loaves-of-love.com.

TUESDAYS The Powhatan Moose Lodge will host smoke-free Bingo

with doors opening at 6 p.m. and games starting at 7 p.m. every Tuesday and every third Friday. For more information, call 804-598-2809.

H.O.P.E. – Helping Others Prepare for Eternity is a Ladies Group that meets at 7 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month in the Fellowship Hall at Cartersville Baptist Church. All women are invited to join. Bingo starts at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at

the Powhatan Moose Lodge.

Contact 804-598-2809.

Cumberland Clothes Closet is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month.

The CCC is located in the Community Center Building C-7 (Old Cumberland School building) and has gently used clothing, glassware and shoes for sale.

Cumberland Today

January 14, 2015

9

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ROUNDUP

Board honors Judy Sams

Supervisors consider bids

By Laura McFarland News Editor

T

he Cumberland County Board of Supervisors decided on who it wanted to be doing business with in the coming year at its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

The board reviewed seven architectural and engineering services request for proposals at the meeting, according to Vivian Giles, county administrator.

County staff recommended a possibility of three to four contracts, which the board of supervisors authorized.

The contracts create a partnership with the companies going forward.

“These contracts are to have engineering firms under contracts. There are no prices associated with the contracts,” Giles said.

The county advertised a request for proposals, which Giles summarized for the board and offered her recommendations. The board followed those recommendations, which were to have definite contracts with three and a potential fourth company.

Austin Brockenbrough & Associates, LLP proposed projects such as Bear Creek Lake State Park additional cabins, various parking lots, water line projects, water storage tanks and sewer treatment systems.

It was already under contract with

Cumberland County.

Draper Aden Associates was already under contract with the county performing landfill monitoring and closure programs. The firm is positioned to provide the environmental compliance services the county requires and has ongoing projects related to landfill post closure monitoring.

Hurt & Proffitt proposed projects such as roadway design, business pad sites in business parks, recreation park including fishing, hiking and environmental education facilities and sewer systems.

Wiley Wilson proposed projects such as water treatment plant upgrades, water and sewer utility line projects, HVAC systems and sewer systems and pump stations.

Other business handled by the supervisors at the meeting included: Adopting the South Central Workforce Investment Act Consortium Agreement.

Cumberland County has been a member of the South Central Workforce Investment Act Board, which received legal advice to draw up an agreement and have it adopted by its 10 member localities, Giles said.

The federal program provides money to the state for workforce training.

“One of the most classic examples

is if a company closes and you have a large group of people out of work overnight. The Workforce will go in and offer training to displaced workers,” she said.

The agreement had to be approved by ordinance, which requires a public hearing.

Listening to an update on the Virginia Association of Counties legislative agenda.

Giles provided the legislation to the board to take action if they wished, she said.

“They could have adopted it on their own, which is basically a show of support,” she said.

However, the document is very large and, since it is applied statewide, contains some information that is not relevant to Cumberland County.

The board took no action.

Approving the reappointment of members of two groups.

The supervisors approved the reappointment of Irene Wyatt and Larry Atkins as at-large representatives of the Cumberland Planning Commission.

The board also approved for recommendation to the Circuit Court the reappointment of William Burger, Elmer Heis Jr. and Sherman Langhorne to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Contributed Report

The Cumberland County School Board recognized Judith Peters Sams during its December meeting for her positive contributions to the school and the community.

Sams is a native of Cumberland County and attended grades one to 12 in Cumberland County Public Schools, graduating as valedictorian of her class.

Her Cumberland roots run deep and she comes from a long line of community workers and volunteers.

Her father and mother started the first volunteer fire department and rescue squad in Cumberland – donating the vehicles, the maintenance and the land on which they were housed – and they spent many hours answering emergency calls and saving lives.

Sams’ community involvement includes serving as chairman of the county electoral board, on the board of directors for the Cumberland County Public Library during the years when the current library building was being constructed, on the American Cancer Society Board of Directors, and as a member of the Cumberland Junior Woman’s Club, which helped to organize the first Cumberland Christmas parades.

Her teaching career as a business and information technology teacher began in Fairfax County after she graduated from James Madison University.

She and her husband and daughter,

Jennifer, moved back to Southside Virginia and she had a long teaching career at Buckingham County High School and Fuqua School.

During that time, she was living in Cumberland and teaching adjunct at Southside Virginia Community College while pursuing graduate courses and degrees at Longwood University, the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech.

She is currently the business and information technology program specialist at the Virginia Department of Education. She is also the state adviser for the Virginia Business Education Association, serves on the board of directors for the Virginia FBLA-PBL Foundation and is the state chairman for the Future Business Leaders of America.

Sams’s involvement with the Cumberland County Public Schools started many years ago as a student at John Randolph Elementary School and continues today as the proud grandmother of two Cumberland High School students and one Cumberland Elementary School student.

She said she enjoys attending school functions and helping with school activities whether on the soccer field, chaperoning field trips or volunteering in the classrooms of her grandchildren.

Sams said her greatest award, is seeing the success of her students as they move through life. She recognized many of the faculty and staff in Cumberland County Public Schools.

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Cumberland Today

January 14, 2015

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ADVERTISE Call 598-4305 to find out about upcoming opportunities to advertise with your community newspaper in print and online!

Contributed photo

At its meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, the Cumberland County School Board recognized Rebecca Haigh, Cumberland High School English teacher; Leslie Brown, Cumberland Middle School mathematics teacher, and Georgina Bolden-Handy, Cumberland Elementary School special education teacher.

Contributed photo

The Cumberland School Board recognized three teachers at its meeting on Monday, Dec. 8.

Those recognized were Allan Waechter, physical education teacher at Cumberland High School; Molly Andresakes, speech-language pathologist, and Katie Tainsh, Cumberland Middle School math teacher.

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Crewe Tractor and Powersports The House of Bargains Right between Farmville & Chesterfield - Corner of Hwy 360 and 49 Call Will Ragan at 434-645-9734 www.CreweTractor.com

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Cumberland Today

January 14, 2015