DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Mechanicsville, VA 23111
PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 26, No. 34 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | December 23, 2009
STOPS AT EVERY HOME IN TOWN
Snow remnants linger A pre-white Christmas wel- County reported double-digit comed Mechanicsville residents snowfall. Monday morning commutSaturday morning, with totals Snow started falling around ers were greeted with clear priranging from five to seven inch4:30 p.m. Friday and just kept es. Western portions of Hanover see SNOW, pg. 5 ` coming.
By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
Jack Ward submitted this photo of the snowfall — and covered parking lot — at Atlee Square.
Community makes wish for home makeover a reality By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com As the two buses moved to expose their house on Tammy Lane last Thursday evening, the Dwayne Doane family became overcome with emotion at what they saw. Dwayne, Chrissi and their three children, Shayna, D.J. and Alyssa returned from a MakeA-Wish Foundation-sponsored trip to Disney World to find their house had undergone an “extreme makeover” Mechanicsville-style. Ten-year-old Alyssa, who has cystic fibrosis, had been asking for the makeover. She and her family enjoy watching the “Extreme Makeover” television program. Since arrangements could not be made for Ty
Pennington and crew to handle the renovations, family, friends and neighbors joined forces to grant Alyssa’s wish. The Doanes were met by a crowd on Tammy Lane as the limousine pulled into the street. An ensemble band from Lee-Davis High School performed as well-wishers surrounded the family. Tears of joy were seen on many faces as the Doanes realized what had occurred while they were gone. Alyssa watched the events unfold seated atop her brother’s shoulders. A blessing was offered before they entered Melody Kinser to see how their house had been transformed. Alyssa Doane, atop her brother D.J.’s shoulders, was overcome with emotion when she and Christmas lights adorned the exterior and a tree her family realized the improvements family, friends and neighbors had made to their house on was located near a front window. Tammy Lane while they were at Disney World. The 10-year-old, who has cystic fibrosis, visited see MAKEOVER, pg. 16 `
the Orlando theme park through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Response significant to
Christmas Mother donors answer call for need soldier ‘adoption’ program
Christmas is going to be much brighter for many Hanover County children, thanks to the Christmas Mother program. Spearheaded by the Doswell Ruritan Club and supported by all Hanover County Ruritan clubs, the 2009 campaign has been called one
of the most significant due to the need. Leading the effort is the 2009 Christmas Mother, Virginia “Gigi” Foster. This week’s donors include: AARP Collections from members, AARP Hanover Chapter #5335, Miriam and John Ahladas, Maxine Akers, Alpha
Alpha Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, American Legion Post 125, Marite and Richard Amos, Barbara and Charles Anderson, Michael and Brenda Anderson, Ashland Lions Club, Ashland Lions Ladies Night Raffle, Patricia Ball,
see DONORS, pg. 4 `
By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
As the mother of a son, Brandon Roberson, who is serving in the U.S. Army in “Wow!” was the response Afghanistan, she decided to Bonnie Nunnally had to the adopt 50 soldiers for Christmas contributions she received for “because I wanted to say thank the Adopt-a-Soldier campaign for Christmas. see SOLDIER, pg. 5 `