DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 29, No. 11 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | July 18, 2012
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Rain can’t dampen thrill for the tomato By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
Patrick Dobbs for The Local
The 2012 Hanover Tomato Festival was dedicated to Hanover Fire/EMS. Chief Fred Crosby accepted the honor.
Storms may have rolled in for Saturday’s 2012 Hanover Tomato Festival, but they couldn’t dampen the spirits of the 31,000 people who came out to celebrate the county’s favorite fruit. Since 1978 when the Black Creek Volunteer Fire Department sponsored the first-ever Tomato Festival, the event has continued to grow — and this year was no different. The grounds of Pole Green Park
in Mechanicsville were filled with activities, entertainment, food, vendors — something for everybody. And, as usual, taking center stage was the Tomato Tent, featuring those famous Hanover Tomatoes. Director Greg Sager of Hanover Parks & Rec said the festival was “probably on track” for a record attendance “had the weather cooperated. The folks Patrick Dobbs for The Local that came out had very positive David Harris, David Lynch an Drew Moser hammer a support in a wall demonstrating a Hanover comments.” see TOMATO, pg. 16
County Habitat for Humanity project during the 2012 Hanover Tomato Festival on Saturday at Pole Green Park. More photos from the event can be found on Community, page 9.
Post 175 celebrates historic season Charlie Leffler/The Local
Mechanicsville Post 175 celebrated after finishing the American Legion regular season with a perfect 18-0 record. With a 2-1 win over South Richmond on Sunday, Mechanicsville became the first American Legion team in 28 years to sweep the regular season. For complete details of this historic season, see page 34.
Gladstone, Millican take top HCSB posts By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local It was out with the old and in with the new at last week’s Hanover County School Board meeting in Ashland. Newly appointed Ashland District representative Hank Lowry attended his first meeting since his appointment two weeks ago, and was heartily welcomed to his new post by his fellow board members. The meeting also represented a change in chairmanship, as John F. Axselle III
gave up the gavel to long-time South Anna representative Ann F.H. Gladstone, who had served two terms as vice chair. Mechanicsville representative Glenn T. Millican Jr. was elected co-chair for the upcoming year. The transition was immediate as Axselle and Gladstone traded seats and good wishes and the proceedings proceeded. The board was temporarily puzzled by the packed house attendance, a rarity during see HCSB, pg. 4