07/18/2019 by Goochland Gazette

INSIDE Benedictine’s Baylor named All-Metro Player of the Year > page 9

Volume 64, Number 29 • July 18, 2019

St. Matthew’s United Methodist welcomes new pastor. See page 3 S

Stamey lauded for dedication to county

Life ON THE line

By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Photo by Roslyn Ryan

Having led the charge on several complex county projects, including the Central High School Cultural and Educational Complex, new Animal Protection and Adoption Center, and the development of Goochland’s 25-year Capital Improvement Plan, Deputy County Administrator Derek Stamey has no problem embracing a challenge. Simply put, give Stamey a mountain and he will find a Stamey way to move it. It was precisely this quality that recently earned Stamey the Marcia Mashaw Outstanding Assistant Award from the Virginia Local Government

Goochland Emergency Medical Dispatcher Tammy Witt demonstrates the new system she and her colleagues use to help callers communicate exactly what their emergency is and what kind of help they need.

see Stamey > 3

County dispatchers can now give callers detailed instructions — and it’s already helping to save lives By Roslyn Ryan Editor

As a Goochland County dispatcher, Tammy Witt is often the person on the other end of the line when someone calls to report any one of countless issues, from a critical medical emersee Dispatch > 3

951591-01

STRESSLESS

SAVE $100 INSTANTLY FOR EVERY $1,000 YOU SPEND

THE INNOVATORS OF COMFORT™

Plus other Great Specials See Store for Details

BEDDING SAVE UP TO $400 10500 Patterson Avenue | 804-740-3124 | 888-740-5715 Mattress Sets See store for details

Mon & Fri 9am-8pm | Tues, Wed, Thurs & Sat 9am-6pm | Closed Sun

w w w.v a w ay s i d e. n e t

Thursday

July 18, 2019

James River Master Naturalists offering summer nature hikes Contributed report

The James River Master Naturalists (JRMN), in conjunction with Powhatan State Park, is offering a Native Tree Hike every Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. this summer. The one-hour hike, led by Master Naturalists, uses the Old Cabin Trail to help participants learn how to identify up to 25 native trees. Participants learn how each tree benefits wildlife and society. After a $5 parking fee for each automobile, the hike itself is free to anyone of any age to participate. Those interested in the joining the hike are asked to show up at the shelters at the Picnic Area of Powhatan State Park at 2 p.m. , to wear appropriate

shoes for hiking, and to bring sufficient water to maintain hydration. Those who have a group that would like to participate are asked to contact Don Smith (Owlorchardva@ gmail.com) to insure that the hike is appropriately staffed or to schedule a hike at a more convenient time for their group. Those with a disability who desire assistance or accommodation are asked to notify Smith at (804) 5149857 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For those interested in becoming a Master Naturalist, the JRMN chapter is offering training classes this fall. Visit https://jamesrivermasternaturalists.wordpress.com/training for more information.

College Notes Haley Corinne Tucker of Manakin Sabot received her Bachelor of Art degree in Biology from Washington and Lee University on May 23. Patrick Whaling of Manakin Sabot received his Bachelor of Arts in Management from Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota, during the school’s annual commencement exercises on Saturday, June 1.

4322 Grantlake Rd, Henrico, Va 23234

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

Debra Hoffman, Principal Broker

OFFICE: 347-3878 debra.hoffman@penfedrealty.com

Advertise In The Goochland Gazette! Call 804-746-1235 for details.

www.goochlandgazette.com

Pets of the week

SPORTS

Photos submitted by Julie Lawrence

The Goochland County Animal Shelter has temporarily relocated to the County’s Central High School Cultural and Educational Complex located at 2748 Dogtown Road, in Goochland. The temporary Animal Shelter will operate at the rear of the Central High School Complex until the new shelter is completed. Citizens can continue to contact the Animal Shelter by calling (804) 556-5302. The shelter currently has the following pets available to a good home: A male kitten, about 7 weeks old; and two female kittens, about 7 weeks old. A note to residents, all adoption fees for the month of July will be waived. The Goochland Animal Shelter is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The facility has many lost dog and cat fliers posted. For more information on these pets, as well as the many more still in need of homes at the Goochland Animal Shelter, call (804) 556-5302. You also can visit the shelter on Facebook at “Goochland County Animal Control.”

Goochland CASA schedules training class for volunteers Program will ready citizens to help children in court system Contributed report

Someone’s Dream! RICHMOND off Chippenham/Belmont Rd. Immaculate Brick Rancher w/Full Basement. Waterfront/ Falling Creek Reservoir, Formal Living/Dining Rooms, Florida Room, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Full Baths, Large Family Room, Large Office/Studio, Utility Room, Large multi leveled Deck, Pier, Carport! $325,000. W/Building Lot - $400,000.

Want more? Visit us on the web at

Those interested in serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) on behalf of local children are encouraged to attend a training class for program volunteers next month. A CASA volunteers to help children who are in need of services and support in the Juvenile court system. They meet with the families and report back to the court. Before a CASA can meet his/her first family, they must

complete a 30-hour (once a week for 10 weeks) training class. During this class they will gain an overview of the policies and procedures of the CASA program, be introduced to Department of Social Services, and learn about their new responsibilities, which include permanency planning and family preservation. Participants in the class will discuss understanding children, including those with disabilities, those with attachment issues, those who are impacted by substance abuse and poverty and those who have suffered from abuse and neglect. In addition, the class will cover how to gather information, how to report back to court and how to monitor

one’s case. All CASAs are fully trained and ready for their first case. Classes will begin in August and will be held on Monday evenings from 6 - 9 p.m. Potential volunteers are also required to observe a court hearing in Juvenile court. At the conclusion of the training, the volunteers will be sworn in as representatives of the court by the Juvenile Court Judge. CASAs usually have only one case at a time and they schedule the contacts around their own schedule. For more information on becoming a CASA, or on the upcoming training class, contact Ann Casey, the Director of Goochland CASA, at (804) 556-5876 or email her at acasey@goochlandva.us.

Bernstine named Player of the Year PAGE 8 Calendar ................................ 4 Classifieds ......................12-14 Letters .................................... 6 Opinion .................................. 6 Sports .................................7-8 TV Listings ........................9-11

CONTACT US Toll Free - (877) 888-0449 Office - (804) 746-1235 Joy Monopoli Publisher (804) 775-4614 Fax: (804) 819-5529 Melody Kinser Managing Editor (804) 775-4622 Fax: (804) 730-0476 Roslyn Ryan Editor (804) 339-7956 Cindy Adams Classifieds (804) 775-4616 Fax: (804) 730-0476 Nick Vandeloecht Sports Editor (540) 728-0549

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

July 18, 2019

Man charged with attempted murder, hate crimes after alleged attack in Goochland By Roslyn Ryan Editor

Crow

Two Goochland residents were left shaken but unharmed after a man allegedly attempted to force his way into a Broad Street Road residence on July 9. According to infor-

Stamey continued from >1 Management Association (VLGMA), an award for which Goochland County Administrator John Budesky nominated him. “There is no more deserving recipient of the Mashaw Award than Derek,” Budesky said. “His expertise, ability to engage, initiative and willingness to take on large challenges is a testament to his

Dispatch continued from >1 gency to a spat with a neighbor. Now, however, a new protocol is revolutionizing the way Goochland dispatchers handle any situation they face. On June 19, Goochland County launched its new Emergency Medical Dispatch Program. Now callers who contact dispatch are asked a series of carefully scripted questions, each one designed to help better assess what kind of help the caller needs and how critical that need is. While they once were limited to simply taking the pertinent information and dispatching emergency crews, dispatchers are now able to offer assistance with medical emer-

mation provided by the Goochland County Sheriff’s Department, John Clifton Crow, 46, has been charged with two counts of felony attempted murder in the second degree, felony use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and two misdemeanor counts of committing a hate crime by assault stemming from the incident. At 12:01 a.m. on July 9, the Goochland County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call

from the 200 block of Broad Street Rd. alerting them that someone was attempting to break into a residence. As deputies rushed to the scene, the caller reported that he and a friend were being shot at. Both individuals were able to escape the residence and meet deputies at a safe location. After obtaining a search warrant, deputies arrested Crow and later transported him to Henrico County Jail.

ability to lead and inspire his team effectively.” Each year the VLGMA presents the Mashaw Award to a deputy or assistant manager or administrator who is a member of VLGMA and who has demonstrated outstanding performance, particularly with a special project or during a period of unique conditions and circumstances. Stamey was nominated by for a number of accomplishments, including his

leadership role in renovating and restoring the Central High School Cultural and Educational Complex. Employed by Goochland County since 2009, Stamey first served as the County’s Director of Parks, Recreation & Facilities Management, overseeing the divisions of Parks and Recreation, Goochland Extension Office, and Facilities Management. In December of 2016, Stamey became Deputy County

Administrator for Operations, overseeing Animal Protection, General Services, Parks & Recreation, Goochland Extension Office, Major Capital Construction, and more. The award Stamey received is named in memory of Marcia Mashaw, who served as assistant town manager of Blacksburg in the 1980s and was an active member of VLGMA until her death in 1986.

gencies ranging from heart attacks to gunshot wounds. “We really are first responders,” said Witt. Next to her at all times is a color-coded instructional guide so that she can still assist callers even in the event that the computer system is not working. Like every other Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Witt is required to update and refine her new skill set through continuous training and review. Each and every call is monitored, graded and evaluated. There has been the occasional hiccup. Getting used to the new system is “not something that happens overnight,” explained Major Donald A. Bewkes Jr., and the entire team is still learning the program, how it works.

Still, he said, the difference it has made already has been plain to see. To Sheriff Jim Agnew, the new EMD system is a shining example of cooperation between several county entities. “EMD has been a part of our vision for the county since we began planning the design and construction of the new communications center,” said Agnew of the new 8,400 square-foot facility that the county dedicated in November of 2017. “We are very grateful for the partnership we have with Goochland Fire/ Rescue and their help in getting this off the ground. Mr. Budesky (Goochland’s County Administrator) and the Board of Supervisors also deserve

credit for sharing our vision and funding this initiative.” As for Witt, she says she couldn’t be more pleased with the way the new system is working — and what it has meant for residents in need of help. Yes, it has been challenging to learn the new protocols, she admitted, but all of her colleagues have been quick to embrace the change. Just last week, a dispatcher helped a caller give chest compressions to someone who had gone into cardiac arrest. By the time EMS arrived the individual once again had a pulse. Looking back on the memory, Witt can’t help but smile. “It is the most gratifying feeling,” she said, “knowing you can help save someone’s life.”

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

Property Transfers 500 Hunt Field Road, Manakin Sabot; Richard M. Prewitt to James P. Dowd, $699,000. 4868 Kimber Lane, Gum Spring; Blue Ridge Custom Homes LLC to Robert W. Ewing, $495,000. 821 Lachlan Road, Manakin Sabot; Boone Homes Inc. to Paul R. Goodwin, $928,909. 17 Lower Tuckahoe Road West, Richmond; Polly O. Anderson to Chase M. Lansing, $790,000. 114 Manakin Parke Drive, Manakin Sabot;

Elizabeth Whitley Baron, trustee to William L. Breitbach, $419,500. 853 Merewood Court, Manakin Sabot; Boone Homes Inc. to Philip c. Pieters, $883,429. 2964 Stonecreek Drive, Sandy Hook; Blue Ridge Custom Homes LLC to Gerald G. Pe, $527,000. 2981 Willow Trace Lane, Sandy Hook; Linda Y. Sutton to Gary E. Troxell, $413,000. 832 Woodcove Court, Manakin Sabot; Boone Homes Inc. to John E. Miller, $964,300.

Elrod and Dunham Dentistry

welcomes Dr. Michael Marotta to its Goochland office. Dr. Marotta brings a wealth of experience after completing a two-year residency at the University of Virginia Hospital.

Please call for an appointment. (804) 556-2530 Implant placement & restoration Cosmetic dentistry Surgical extractions

Restoration & preventative dentistry Full mouth reconstruction Root canal treatment

Please call our office today. We look forward to meeting your dental health needs.

2979 River Road W. Goochland, VA 23063 (804) 556-2530

Elrod & Dunham

Dentistry

790175-01

Thursday

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

July 18, 2019

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

Community Calendar Wednesday, July 17 The Cochrane Rockville Branch Library will host Virginia Living Museum’s “Remarkable Reptiles” from

Brown Motor Parts, Inc.

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Get a close up view of your favorite reptiles during this presentation. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information.

Rt. 6 & 45 at George’s Tavern

5285 River Road West

Thursday, July 18

Goochland, VA 23063

Storytimes at the Goochland Branch Library are as follows: Toddler, 10 a.m.; Preschool, 10:45 a.m.; Mother Goose, 11:30 a.m. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information.

(804) 457-4495 Hours: M-F 8am-6pm • Sales after hours by Appt.

AUTO PARTS

• All Makes & Models of Auto,Truck & Tractor Parts • Hydraulic Hose

SALES & SERVICE

• Saws and • Trimmers

4891-01

Full Service Department

VA State Inspections

Friday, July 19 The Rotary Club of Goochland on will welcome speaker James Lane, Superintendent of Instruction for Virginia. Lane will pres-

Kitchens/Baths Patios/Decks New Construction Doors/Windows Sidewalks/Pavers Remodels/Additions 20 Years Carpentry Experience

VA Lic. 27505-093745-A

Blanchard & Associates 804-457-9426 Greg VA Lic. 27505-093745-A 20 YearsBlanchard Carpentry Experience Residential Contractor, Inc.

Our

Second Century

— Established 1897 — Charles D. Morehead, President and General Manager

ent an update on public education across the commonwealth and what’s ahead. The meeting starts at 7:30 a.m. and is held at the Richmond Country Club. The Goochland Branch Library will host Friday Morning Movies from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for all ages. Popcorn will be provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information. Family Storytimes at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library are held at 10:30 a.m. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information. Saturday, July 20 All are invited to Explore 3-D Printing at the Goochland Branch Library from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants will learn to use Tinkercad to create their own design and submit it to the library to be printed. Computer mouse skills are needed for this class, which is designed for those 8 years old and above. Children 12 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. All participants must be registered for the class. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information. Saturday, July 20

Bennett West • Henrico 11020 West Broad Street

1974-01

Henrico’s families have trusted Bennett Funeral Homes in their time of need for an entire century.

359-4481 • www.bennettfuneralhomes.com

Caladonia Lodge 240 will be hosting a BBQ Chicken Dinner at 2 p.m. The lodge is located next to Byrd Elementary School. For more information, contact Alphonso Bruce at (804) 2292697.

The Cochrane Rockville Branch Library will host Moon Landing STEAM Challenge from 1 to 2:30 p.m., marking the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing. Participants will create and test a Moon Rover, then learn cool facts and information about our closest celestial body. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Rockville Library. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information. Tuesday, July 23 The Goochland Branch Library will host Tinker Time from 10 to 11 a.m., offering the opportunity to have fun with STEAM activities for curious minds. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more informatio

a.m. to 1 p.m. for all ages. Popcorn will be provided by the Friends of the Goochland Library. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information. Family Storytimes at the Cochrane Rockville Branch Library are held at 10:30 a.m. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information. Saturday, July 27 The Cochrane Rockville Branch Library will host LEGOs! from11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for ages 5 to 12. Participants will use their engineering skills to create a LEGO design all their own. Snacks will be provided by the Friends of the Rockville Library. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more information.

Thursday, July 25 Storytimes at the Goochland Branch Library are as follows: Toddler, 10 a.m.; Preschool, 10:45 a.m.; Mother Goose, 11:30 a.m. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information. Friday, July 26 The Rotary Club of Goochland will welcome Shelly Watson, Associate Director of Admin and Member Services for the YMCA of Greater Richmond. Shelly will share information about the Y’s Bright Beginnings program and an overview of the local YMCA. The meeting starts at 7:30 a.m. and is held at the Richmond Country Club.

Tuesday, July 30 The Goochland Branch Library will host Tinker Time from 10 to 11 a.m., offering the opportunity to have fun with STEAM activities for curious minds. Call (804) 556-4774 or visit the library at 3075 River Road West for more information. Wednesday, July 31

The Cochrane Rockville Branch Library will welcome magician Bobby Cadabra from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a magic show packed full of energy, laughs, and audience participation. Participants will leave with smiles and memories to last a lifetime. Call (804) 749-3146 or visit the library at 16600 Pouncey Tract Road for more The Goochland Branch information. Library will host Friday Morning Movies from 11

The Cochrane Rockville Branch Library will host Happee Birthdae Harry Potter! from noon to 2 p.m. Celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday with crafts and activities like Golden Snitches, Polyjuice Potions, wands, a “Wanted Wizard” selfie station and more. Cosplay is optional, but encouraged. Hogwarts-style snacks and beverages provided will be provided by Friends of the Rockville Library. Call (804) 749-3146 for more information. Thursday, August 1 Gum Spring United Methodist Church will be offering free coffee and donuts on the first Thursday of every month. This is a drive thru event, held from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. The church is located at 191 Cross County Road in Gum Spring (the big brick church near Rt. 250 off of 522). Sunday, August 4 Shady Grove Baptist Church will host its annual Homecoming and Revival from Aug. 4-8, with the homecoming service scheduled for Aug. 4 at 11 a.m. Guest Preachers will include Rev. Roscoe Cooper, Jr. of Metropolitan African American Baptist Church in Richmond (Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.); Rev. A. Lincoln James of Triniy Baptist Church in Richmond (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) ; and Rev. Curtis Ballard of St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond. A nightly prayer and praise service will begin at 7 p.m. Shady Grove Baptist Church is located at 3384 Oakland Church Rd. in Gum Spring. see Calendar > 16

Thursday

July 18, 2019

NEWS: What’s Going on in Goochland County

St. Matthew’s church welcomes new pastor Contributed report

St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is proud to announce Mark Montgomery as the church’s new pastor. Montgomery grew up in the United Methodist church in San Antonio, Texas, where he was baptized and confirmed at the age of 11. A call to ministry when he was 14 years old led him to actively pursue that calling. Montgomery obtained his undergraduate degree from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas, and graduated from The Divinity School at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, one of 13 seminaries founded and supported by the United Methodist Church. He and his wife Melissa met shortly after seminary and have a 4-year-old son, Liam. Montgomery has served as an associate pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas and most recently at Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Stafford, Virginia. He has also served as a campus minister on George Mason’s main campus in Fairfax, Virginia. In his free time, the new pastor loves to run, fish and spend time with his family. He is passionate about loving God,

www.goochlandgazette.com

If Willy Hall wants to get a close-up look at local wildlife, he doesn’t have to go far. “Many years ago when I moved to Goochland, I told people that I moved to the country,” Hall said. “Now I tell people that I have moved to a zoo. We have beef cattle at one end of my road and alpacas at the other end. We have all sorts of critters in between such as eagles and coyotes. Now I have a bear.” The bear in Hall’s yard, pictured here, “was happily munching away on something that I had put out for the deer,” Hall said. “He did not mind having his picture taken. Hunters who have seen the bear pictures said it is a full grown bear and weighed about 300 pounds. Before the bear left my yard, he ripped down two bird feeders.”

HURRY - LIMITED TIME OFFER!

Contributed photo

Mark Montgomery, St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church’s new pastor, comes to Goochland after serving in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Stafford.

loving others, and sharing that passion with those he meets. St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, located at 1706 St. Matthews Lane, began in 1828 as a small, rural church in Goochland County. Today, St. Matthew’s has three worship services each Sunday at

8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11a.m., and offers a variety of worship and music opportunities for children, youth, and adults of all ages, including a vibrant Prime Timers program for those age 60 and better. More information may be found at www.mystmatthews.org..

talk will be given by a member of the FamilySearch.org team and will cover how to access the database, what is in it, how to find ancestors, and the use of the Wiki feature.

The talk is free but anyone who would like to attend is asked to call the Historical Society at (804) 556-3966 to register and ensure a chair at this popular talk.

Advertise In The Goochland Gazette! Call 804-746-1235 for details.

Bear with me

Contributed photo

Talk will highlight database use in ancestry research The Goochland County Historical Society and FamilySearch.org are sponsoring a talk on using the database at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Goochland library. The

Want more? Visit us on the web at

Don’t Wait!

804-286-4897

Thursday

OPINION: Editorial, Letters to the Editor

July 18, 2019

Hitting the road: A tradition that continues By Roslyn Ryan Editor

He was eating some peanut butter when I saw him, which was not, in itself, all that strange. In this case, however, the person in question was eating the peanut butter straight out of an economy-size jar, while sitting outside a local service station next to a very large pack that seemed to be crammed with enough supplies for a trek through the Alaskan wilderness. He looked hungry but happy, and perhaps a little bit overheated, as if it had taken a bit of effort to make it to this particular spot. If I have learned one basic tenet of journalism over the years— other than “Don’t make stuff up”—it is that a good reporter will

not walk past a peanut-butter-eating, backpack-toting man outside of a remote service station without asking him what the heck he’s doing and how he got there. So, naturally, I did. As it turns out, the young man was more than happy to share his story, and by the time he finished I was certainly glad I asked. He had started out in North Carolina, he explained, and was headed to New York. And every mile of that journey he intended to cover on foot. He showed me the printed directions he carried, each wellcreased page listing the next leg of his route and how many miles it was. He explained the peanut butter (high in much-needed calories, easy to tote) and how he convinced his parents to let him go (after

years of asking them for permission to undertake such a challenge, they finally relented when he turned 18). By the time I came across him he had already covered nearly 300 miles, answered countless questions, and made dozens of new friends. He also was, it was clear to see, having the time of his life. As we talked, I remembered a long ago cross-country trip my younger sister and I took in an old five-speed Volvo with a temperamental transmission and a tape deck that worked about half the time. We weren’t hoofing it, of course, but I can still recall the thrilling sense of freedom and the youthful certainty that whatever was around the next bend was sure to be something amazing.

I had hoped that kids still took those kinds of trips — journeys undertaken “just because”, with only a map and an eventual destination in mind — and I’m so glad to see that they do. I eventually bid the young traveler farewell and wished him luck, urging him to be careful and enjoy every minute of the journey. The next day I heard that he’d strung his hammock on the property of the Adams International School up on 250 that night, and that the staff had made him breakfast in the morning. I’m not sure where he is now, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for him. With any luck, this journey will yield memories he’ll keep for a lifetime.

Over decades, famed waterfall has lured daredevils By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist

It’s easy to appreciate the unbridled power of Niagara Falls, and it’s a great place for a family vacation, a spectacle that has stood the test of time. A glance at the natural wonder on television portrays a vision of unbelievable fury and offers a small view of just what attracts millions of visitors a year. But, standing beside the rail on the American

side of the Falls is a completely different experience and causes the most cynical of onlookers to stand back and take a breath. The sound of the roaring water as it approaches the 180-foot drop is enough to make many visitors step back and view the phenomenon from a distance, and watching the tons of water pour over the rim instills fear in the bravest of onlookers. It’s a natural wonder that never gets old, and, for centuries, visitors have flocked to the

Editorial & Business Office and Mailing Address: 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, VA 23116 Phone – (804) 746-1235 Toll free – (877) 888-0449 Fax – (804) 730-0476 Online: www.goochlandgazette.com

Publisher Managing Editor Editor Sports Editor Production Manager Sales Representative Sales Representative Classifieds

Joy Monopoli Melody Kinser Roslyn Ryan Nick Vandeloecht Denine D’Angelo Tom Haynie Sarah Suttles Cindy Adams

jmonopoli@RSNVA.com mkinser@mechlocal.com rryan@gooochlandgazette.com nvandeloecht@powhatantoday.com ddangelo@mechlocal.com thaynie@mechlocal.com Ssuttles@mechlocal.com cgrant@mechlocal.com

area to view the Falls, feel the mist, and enjoy one of the most awesome views on earth. The most demanding skeptics exit the viewing area with a new sense of respect for the power of nature in its rawest form. It’s a place that deserves, or, should I say, demands respect from its visitors, thousands of tourists eager to stand on the edge and witness the largest waterfall in North America. see Niagara > 14

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS The Local welcomes your signed letters to the editor on topics of interest to Goochland residents. Letters must include your address and a daytime telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters. We do not guarantee that every letter received will be published. Letters reflect the opinions and positions of the writers and not The Goochland Gazette. Send letters to: The Goochland Gazette 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, Va. 23116 Fax: 730-0476 E-mail: editor@goochlandgazette.com © 2019 by Richmond Suburban Newspapers. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher. CAC Audited Circulation: 8,014.

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

Letters to the Editor Creasey possesses all of the qualities needed to lead as next sheriff To the Editor: I am proud to endorse Steven Creasey to succeed me as the next Goochland County Sheriff. The sheriff has enormous responsibilities. This job requires numerous skills and abilities, among them: accountability, good judgment, critical incident management, supervisory and management skills, fiscal restraint, and, most importantly impeccable integrity. ln his almost twenty-five years with the sheriff’s office, Steven has developed and displayed, quite consistently, all these qualities. Our sheriff’s office has a small administrative staff, and our sergeants have wide-ranging responsibilities. ln essence, the sergeant is tasked with overseeing law enforcement response, coordinating with fire/rescue and adjoining police agencies, supervising the proper dispatching of police and fire/rescue resources, managing overtime, the safe transfer of inmates to and from the jails and our courts, the safety of court attendees and personnel, and the proper service of civil papers, writs, and other court orders. Steven is the only candidate who has performed all these duties. He has performed them extraordinarily well. Steven is a member of our budget team, and he is actively involved in our hiring process for both deputies and dispatchers. Steven is a state certified instructor, and he regularly teaches our deputies, fire and rescue personnel and Goochland citizens. He has been recognized as Deputy of the Year by the Goochland Rotary Club and by Mothers against Drunk Driving (twice). Steven is the only candidate for Goochland sheriff who is a certified, sworn law enforcement officer. Please join me in voting for Steven Creasey on Nov. 5 as the next Sheriff of Goochland County. James L. Agnew Goochland County Sheriff see Letters > page 11

Thursday

July 18, 2019

SPORTS: Youth, High School, College, Recreational, Professional

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

Manta Rays break 20 team records at Wembly Staff Reports

TUCKAHOE - The Goochland YMCA Manta Rays set 20 new team records in their Greater Richmond Aquatic League (GRAL) swim meet held Wednesday, July 10 at the Wembly Swim and Racquet Club. Callie Horst and Annelise Rogerson each broke three team records - Horst in the 100 freestyle (1:11.63), the 50 backstroke (35.84) and the 50 butterfly (35.47) of the female 11-12 division, and Rogerson in the 100 freestyle (1:05.38), the 100 breaststroke (1:22.89) and the 50 butterfly (32.88) of the female 15-18 division. Lucas Salser broke the team male 9-10 year-old 50-yard backstroke record with a swim of 34.62; he also set new team marks for his age group in both the 100 freestyle (1:12.62) and the 50 butterfly (37.46). Ethan Salser, competing in the male 11-12 division, also set three new team records in the 100 freestyle (1:04.56), the 50 breaststroke (41.80) and the 50 butterfly (31.71). Joining Lucas and Ethan in breaking three team records was Garrett Kemmerly, who set new marks in the 100 freestyle (58.25), the 50 backstroke (32.03) and the 50 butterfly (30.87) of the male 15-18 division. In the male 13-14 division, Joseph Hardman broke a pair of team records in both the 50 backstroke (35.47) and the 50 butterfly (33.07), and Alex Salser set the new team record in the male 50 freestyle with a swim of 30.44. Andrea Rogerson broke the female 9-10 100 freestyle team record with a swim of 1:15.60, and Grace Kemmerly broke the female 15-18 50 backstroke team record with a swim of 37.72. Goochland YMCA handily defeated Wembly 1189-695 and featured three quad winners in Callie Horst, Henley Mills and Avetis Saakian. Triple winners were Sasha Babic, Afton Carter, Joseph Hardman, Alex Horst, Garrett Kemmerly, Kaysen Mills, Luke Pushinsky, Andrea Rogerson, Annelise Rogerson, Annika Rogerson, Eden Rollogas, Mariam Saakian, Alexander Salser, Ethan Salser, Lucas Salser and Jessica Valdez. Double winners were Bowen Barton, Kendra Cheatham, Audrey Darden, Gerard Delisio, Nathaniel Harris, Grace Kemmerly, Lucas Le, Valencia Le, Paige Lentz, Louisa Mills, Cullen Parrish, Jackson Perschino, Abby Pillion and Sophia Summitt. Single winners were Zachary Cheatham, Matthew D. Getter, Nathan W. Getter, Gavin Hazelton, Tristan Hedges-Catona, Ryan Johnson, Emerson Mann, Skyler Mann, Sterling Mayers, Katherine Pushinsky, David Saakian, Brandon Watkins, Christopher Whitney and Camden Wilson.

Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

Garrett Kemmerly competes in the Boys 15-18 100 Freestyle in Goochland YMCA’s Greater Richmond Aquatic League swim meet at the Wembly Swim and Racquet Club in Tuckahoe on Wednesday, July 10.

Photos by Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

Above: Rachel Bratton competes in the female 15-18 100 freestyle at Wembly; right: Kaysen Mills competes in an individual swim event at Wembly.

Open mat Goochland Wrestling is hosting open mat nights for wrestling conditioning every Wednesday evening from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. All student-athletes from 6th grade and up are welcome. Participants are to meet in the Goochland Middle School cafeteria, which is connected to the high school.

PRO CORNER Verlander starts in MLB All-Star game Justin Verlander earned the start in the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, pitching for the American League AllStars, who on Tuesday, July 9 defeated the National League

All-Stars 4-3 in Cleveland. The AL All-Stars won their seventh straight Midsummer Classic and continue to hold a narrow all-time lead in the now 90-game series over the NL All-Stars, 45-43-1. Verlander, from Goochland, pitched the opening half-inning of the

All-Star Game, striking out two batters and retiring the side in order. He was one of four pitchers in the AL’s 9-man rotation to allow no hits, no runs and no walks from the NL’s all-star lineup. Two of those pitchers - New York Yankees’ Aroldis Chapman and Cleveland’s

Shane Bieber - struck out the side, with MVP Bieber doing so in front of his home crowd at Progressive Field. After a couple of tough regular season outings, Verlander (11-4) bounced back to earn the pitching win on Sunday in the Astros’ 12-4 rout of the Rangers.

Verlander struck out seven while limiting the Rangers’ lineup to four hits, two earned runs and one walk through six frames of work. He allowed zero homers after surrendering at least one through the previous five straight games pitched.

Thursday

July 18, 2019

SPORTS: Youth, High School, College, Recreational, Professional

Want more? Visit us on the web at

www.goochlandgazette.com

Bernstine named All-Metro Tennis Player of Year Staff Reports

A dominant season, capping off a dominant career, sent Goochland’s Ryan Bernstine off to Virginia Tech as a state champion. He can now add TimesDispatch All-Metro Boys Tennis Player of the Year to his many honors. Bernstine continued a family tradition of excellence for the Bulldogs, tying brother Chase in individual state titles with five. Soon, he’ll join Virginia Tech’s tennis team, where he’ll play alongside Chase. The boys’ father, Mark, also played tennis for the Hokies. Joe Mahoney/Times-Dispatch The Class of 2019 standout Goochland’s Ryan Bernstine was named the 2019 backed up a spectacular season Times-Dispatch All-Metro Boys Tennis Player of the with another. As a junior, he won Year after going unbeaten in singles and winning the singles state title. This year, as the Class 2 boys tennis state singles championship.

a senior, he won for the second consecutive year, and went undefeated in singles. Ryan dominated in his final high school season for Goochland, as he went 17-0 in singles and won the state title after defeating John Battle’s Adam Terry 6-0, 6-0. Ryan and his doubles partner, Adam Webb, placed runner-up in the Class 2, Region B championship, narrowly missing out on qualifying for states. Ryan won the 2018 doubles title with teammate Max Presley, adding to the two state titles he won teaming up with Chase. Now, they’ll be on the same courts again, this time aiming for collegiate victories. Jackson Didlake of the TimesDispatch contributed to this report.

Nick Vandeloecht/Goochland Gazette

Goochland’s Ryan Bernstine strikes the ball on a forehand return in Thursday’s Class 2 state tournament, which Bernstine would dominate to win his second consecutive singles state championship and his fifth individual state title overall.

Baylor earns All-Metro Baseball Player of Year title Staff Reports

Jamari Baylor, a Benedictine shortstop with an array of abilities who is now part of the Philadelphia Phillies’ organization, earned the 2019 All-Metro Player of the Year honors for baseball, awarded by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. In his first year at Benedictine - 201718- he produced an All-Metro season in the spring of 2018, batting .482 with eight home runs and stealing 25 bases. The following summer, he solidified himself as a professional prospect, playing well at showcase events for Perfect Game and East Coast Pro. As a senior, Baylor batted .412, adding nine doubles and seven home runs with 21 RBIs and 37 stolen bases. He was one of several high-level players to propel Benedictine to the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I state championship. One of Baylor’s homers this year helped Benedictine avoid elimination in the 13th inning of the state quarterfinals. Overall, he posted a .541 on-base percentage and a .788 slugging (1.329 OPS). Things kept getting better for Baylor as,

early last month, the Phillies drafted him in the third round and offered him $675,000, according to MLB.com. A few days later, he drove his truck to Philadelphia and signed his contract. The Phillies have assigned him to the Gulf Coast League Phillies West, a rookie team, where Baylor is waiting to make his pro debut. According to the Phillies West GCL team’s stats, Baylor, playing at short stop, scored four runs and landed two hits, including a double, in seven at-bats through his first two games played at the pro level. He scored three of his runs and batted 2-for-4 with the double in his Phillies’ 8-4 win over the GCL Yankees East on July 10. Baylor was joined by his Benedictine teammates Casey Green (pitcher) and Brett Cook (second base) on the RTD 2019 All-Metro First Team. A hard-throwing righty with a sharp slider, Green went 7-0 with a 0.92 ERA, striking out 58 and walking 18 in 53 innings pitched. He batted .288 with 14 RBIs. He pitched six innings in the VISAA Division I state title game, earning a win and leading the Cadets to their second title in three years. He’ll pitch for Coastal Carolina next year.

After spending his junior year at IMG Academy in Florida, Cook returned to Benedictine to become one of the area’s best hitters. He hit .438 with 31 RBIs, 41 runs, 15 extra-base hits including 3 triples and 4 doubles and 42 stolen bases. His .610 onbase percentage and .904 slugging percentage (1.514 OPS) were among the best in the area. He led the Cadets with eight home runs, and he was named all-state by the VISAA. He’ll play for Tulane next year. Versatile player and standout pitcher Jay Woolfolk made Second Team All-Metro. The Benedictine sophomore batted .395 with 3 doubles, 5 triples and 5 home runs. He tallied up 42 runs scored, 26 RBIs and 24 stolen bases, and he ended the season with a .546 onbase percentage and a .679 slugging percentage for a 1.225 OPS. On the mound, Woolfolk went 6-0 with a 2.81 ERA and also picked up two saves. Through 37 and one-third innings pitched, he limited opposing batters to 28 hits, 17 walks and 17 runs (15 earned) while striking out 58.

Joe Mahoney/Times-Dispatch

Benedictine alum and Phillies player Jamari Baylor Eric Kolenich of the Times-Dispatch contrib- was named the 2019 Times-Dispatch All-Metro Baseball Player of the Year. Baylor helped the Cauted to this report. dets win the 2019 VISAA state title.

Thursday

Want more? Visit us on the web at

TV LISTINGS: Find Local TV Shows and Movie Schedules

July 18, 2019 THURSDAY EVENING 4 PM 4:30 5 PM

www.goochlandgazette.com