INSIDE: Goochland kids can play super sleuth at upcoming Vacation Bible School. >page 5
Volume 60, Number 27 • July 10, 2014
Bristol man gets Arriving in style OK from board on gold mine plan Project still needs nod from state agency to begin mining work By Roslyn Ryan Editor
A Bristol, Tennessee, resident can move forward on his plan to mine for gold in Goochland County, after the county Board of Supervisors voted unanimously July 1 to approve his request for a conditional use permit. The permit will allow William Kilgore to begin the lengthy process of establishing a mining operation at 4358 Shannon Hill Road in western Goochland, the site of what was once known as the Old Moss Mine. According to information presented during the public hearing, the mine, established by John Moss in 1835, was just one of many such projects in the county (see box). Kilgore’s proposal indicates that he will be mining for gold, silver and other precious metals, using a method described as gravity separation. While the idea of gold mining may bring to mind the idea of someone seeking a personal fortune hidden in the ground, Kilgore insisted that his motives are very different. “What I would really like to do is to start referring to this as a ‘mine clean-up project,’ because that is my overall goal,” Kilgore told the supervisors. He said he ultimately hopes “to take all the things that were inappropriately handled [by previous mining operations] and remove those footprints. And the only way we can do that is to go all the way down to where they were.” According to information provided by the county, the site see Mine > 2
Goochland gold rush? Some may not realize it, but Goochland County was once a hot-bed of gold mining activity. At one point, according to county officials, there were 30 active gold mines within a 20-mile radius of where William Kilgore plans to begin his operation on Shannon Hill Road.
Photo by John Beebe
This tot seemed to have found a perfect — and very patriotic — way to make it to the site of last week’s Fourth of July fireworks show in Goochland, joining over 17,000 others in celebrating Independence Day. For more photos, see page 7.
Group urges gardeners to share bounty Extra produce from home gardens can be used to help feed residents in need Contributed Report
Summer is here, which means gardens all over Goochland County are bringing forth a bounty of fresh, delicious and healthy food. Home gardeners, who plan all year for their gardens, often end up with a bumper crop and
have more vegetables and fruit than they can use. When that happens, what to do with all those cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, beans, peas, okra, peaches and melons? There are always family members and neighbors to give them to, and, if you have time, canning. However, there is yet another alternative — giving surplus produce to the Goochland Free Clinic & Family Services (GFCFS) Food Pantry or other local food pantries. The benefits of providing fresh prosee Garden > 3