INSIDE Get out those clippers! Free pruning workshop set for Feb. 15. > page 2
Volume 60, Number 6 • February 6, 2014
School Board honored February set aside to honor those elected to guide school system Contributed Report
During the month of February, almost 850 elected and appointed school board members throughout Virginia will be recognized by schools and communities during School Board Appreciation Month. The theme of this year’s celebration, “Local Schools, Local Decisions,” reflects the importance of ensuring that the future of public education remains in the hands of the community it serves. “The foundation of our mission is see Board > 3
County farmer recognized for 25 years of service Contributed Report
Pryor
Goochland County beef and grain producer Wayne F. Pryor of Hadensville was recognized on Jan. 23 for his 25 years of service on the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation board of directors. see Farmer > 3
Contributed Photo
The Oakland Oaks of Oakland Baptist Church recently took first place in the Goochland Relay for Life Chili Cook-Off Kick Off. Shown are, from left, front row, Gail Brooks, Joan Lloyd, Emily Hawk and Amanda Alston, and, back row, Janet Hawk, David Hawk, Betty Fields, Bobby Fields, Sherry Alston, Shirley Bath, Julie Lloyd and Robert Gammon.
Oaks take prize in chili cook-off Event serves as kickoff to 2014 Relay for Life fundraising campaign By Roslyn Ryan Editor
Variety, as they say, is the spice of life — and it also comes in handy when you’re trying to win a chili cook-off. To David Hawk, whose Oakland Oaks team recently took first place in the annual Goochland Relay for Life Chili Cook-Off Kick Off, the fact that his team’s White Chicken Chili was a little unexpected was part of the reason it was such a hit.
“When people think of chili, they automatically think of red,” Hawk said. “But being different helps you stand out.” The competition, which raises funds to support Goochland’s Relay for Life effort, was held on Jan. 25 at Grace Episcopal Church. Attendees voted for their favorite batch out of a group of four competitors, including Oakland Baptist Church’s Oakland Oaks, Goochland’s Company 3 Volunteer Fire Department, Providence Presbyterian Church and Mizpah Christian Church’s Faith Walkers. In the end, the Oaks raised more than $245 for Relay, helping to kick off the 2014 fundraising effort. Hawk said the fact that his team has around 20 members might have had something to do
with the high turnout in their favor. “But it is good chili,” he was quick to add. “I’m not going to lie about that.” The one thing Hawk will fib about occasionally? The recipe. “I tell people it’s a secret,” he laughed, “but there’s no secret.” Secret or not, the Oaks do seem to be onto something: This is the second year in a row they have won the title, running out of chili each time. Hawk’s teammate Gail Brooks said the group has not decided whether or not they will try for a three-peat next year, but winning has never really been the focus anyway, she said. “It’s really about just coming together as a community to fight cancer,” Brooks insisted. “We’re all in this together.”