INSIDE Local CASA workers honored at Capitol > page 6
Volume 60, Number 44 • Nov. 19, 2015
Area Christmas Mothers share holiday spirit
Digging in
County breaks ground on new Emergency Operations Center
Gathering offered chance for volunteers to check in, share notes on programs By Laura McFarland Contributing Writer
The dining room of the Foundry in Powhatan County had no Christmas tree, stockings, mistletoe or nativity set in sight, but it was still overflowing with Christmas spirit last week. The source of the cheer emanated from the 34 women and two men spread throughout the room, most of whom shared a common bond: either now or at one time in their lives, they all have held the title of Christmas Mother. Goochland Christmas Mother 2015 Dianna Gordon Gordon was one of several Christmas Mothers from across the region who attended a luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 12, hosted by her counterpart in Powhatan County, Gayle Walters. Walters broke with the tradition of only inviting former Powhatan Christmas Mothers to share a meal and invited Christmas Mothers from other localities to join them at the annual event. A similar program was held in 2011 by the Richmond Christmas Mother. Gordon said she attended to meet other Christmas Mothers and learn about what differences or similarities exist between their programs and the one in Goochland County. “It’s a wonderful fellowship for all of us to come together and share the things going on in our counties that are unique to where we live, but we all still have that common purpose,” see Christmas Mother > 4
Photo by Roslyn Ryan
County officials and local law enforcement personnel broke ground Friday, Nov. 13, on Goochland’s new Emergency Communications and Operations Center. The new facility is located in the Courthouse complex. For more on the project, see page 3.
Shelhorse named Planning Commissioner New District 4 rep has experience on the other side of planning process By Roslyn Ryan Editor
Timing, as they say, is everything. When John Shelhorse agreed to serve as the new
District 4 Planning Commissioner — following the retirement of Joe Andrews last September — he said he felt he could make a positive contribution and share his experience in real estate development with fellow commission members. But if Shelhorse had any hopes of easing into his new role, those were quickly dashed on his first night. Just a day after being sworn in, he was on the dais see Shelhorse > 2