02/14/2013

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY

2.14.13

INSIDE SPORTS Cosby’s Max Chisholm Shines at Central Region Wrestling Tournament Page 7

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Boy Scout troops report big successes

BY JODI DEAL Regional Reporter

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t’s not easy planning an outing for Boy Scout Troop 2860, or for its brother troop, 2806.

Traveling with a pack of middle school and high school aged boys is never a walk in the park, but when your group’s as big as one of these mega-troops, it’s a pretty big deal. Both troops, sponsored by Woodlake United Methodist Church, report membership of about 100 boys, so that means any group outing is a crew of anywhere from 40 to 70 people.

“Buying groceries is a major ordeal for us,” Greg Smith, Scoutmaster of Troop 2860, said with a chuckle.

Even a visit to a restaurant or museum requires reconnaissance to see if the destination has enough parking, seats and space for the crew.

The two troops are some of the largest in the area, but still make up only a portion of the Boy Scout activity found locally.

According to Brad Nesheim of the Heart of Virginia Council, there are about 4,000 kids involved in scouting in Chesterfield County, and about 800 adults volunteering to help. In fact, about 20 percent of the boys in Chesterfield County join a scout troop – a percentage that’s better than most places in the country, Nesheim pointed out.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Troop 2860 takes one or two cycling trips a year. That merit badge requires multiple trips culminating in a 50mile ride that has to be finished in eight hours.

SCOUTS page 6

Twizzlers and Oreos = Pi?

BY JODI DEAL Regional Reporter

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GREENFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

George Dennehy of Ashland, who was born without arms, talked to Greenfield Elementary School students about the importance of music in his life. He plays cello, guitar and piano with his feet.

Music with a message also has taught himself to shland resident play the guitar and piano George Dennehy, with his feet. who was born Dennehy, who appeared without arms, courtesy of the Greenfield shared his story of music PTA, talked to the students in an inspiring program about his personal strugon Jan. 29 at Greenfield gles and the importance Elementary School. of respect, kindness and The 19-year-old was inclusion of all students in born in Romania and classes, group projects and adopted as a baby. recess activities.

Even though he was born Not the only internawithout arms, Dennehy tional child in his housedeveloped a love of music hold, Dennehy has 11 at a young age, thanks to brothers and sisters from an introduction to classical all over the world. He told music by his mother. the students he loves travHe started taking cello eling to share not only his lessons at the age of 8, and music, but also his story.

CONTRIBUTED REPORT

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McCarey is a W-I-N-N-E-R

The halls of Providence Middle School echoed the morning of Feb. 5 as an off-site instructor told four classrooms of sixth grade students to wrap their Twizzlers around their Oreos.

They weren’t learning a weird new recipe. Rather, the students were participating in an innovative webcast lesson all about Pi, the mathematical ratio.

Ancient mathematicians discovered that no matter the size of a circle, the circumference is always about 3.14

JODI DEAL PHOTO

Yahmel Rodgers, left, and Alonzo Coleman get help from teacher Suzanne Potocko, also shown at left.

times its diameter.

Educators from the MathScience Innovation Center in Richmond drove that point home with tasty treats.

Students wrapped a piece of licorice around the outside of Oreo cookies. They then measured the diameter of the Oreos with the pieces of candy, breaking them into two red ropes of equal length and

a third just slightly longer.

Students were engaged in the webcast, listening quietly as the off-site teachers explained the origins of Pi. When questions were asked of each class, the students wrote their answers on reusable sheets and waved them in the air for a classmate tasked with running the computer.

Students took turns running the computer program the classes used to connect to the MathScience Innovation Center teachers.

Although they waited patiently for the highly anticipated moment of truth, students got visibly excited when they got the go-ahead to eat their circumference and diameter props.

The rooms buzzed as students turned to each other and grinned.

“Do we get to eat them now? Do we?” students asked their classroom teachers.

As they munched, the Oreos were universally popular, the Twizzlers, not so much.

“These Twizzlers taste like medicine!” one boy said.

However, he finished his treat as the teachers continued their lessons.

Classes taught by Suzanne Potocko, Melike Monahan, Stephanie Burton and Richard Lane participated in the Pi program.

Midlothian High Night of Stars

Training aims to help handle vulnerable victims

CONTRIBUTED REPORT

CONTRIBUTED REPORT

ance, music and decadent desserts – the upcoming Night of Stars event at Midlothian High School will have them all.

Presented by the chorus department, Night of Stars, which will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19, in the auditorium at the school, will unveil the show choirs’ 2013 competition programs for the first time and will include an appearance by Reveille, an a capella group from The College of William and Mary.

The delectable spread of desserts, donated by a variety of Midlothian area businesses, will follow the performance.

Tickets for the show and the treats are $10 at the door.

Advance tickets and reserved seating are available for large groups – $8 apiece for groups of 10 or more and $7 apiece for groups of 20 or more.

To purchase tickets in advance, call 804-794-5949.

The chorus department encourages local groups and communities to shuttle members or residents to the program.

Proceeds from Night of Stars are used to support college scholarship for graduating seniors who have been actively involved in the Midlothian High School choirs during their high school careers.

Prosecutors, law enforcement personnel, victim advocates and allied professionals are invited to a free training session from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the ChesterfieldColonial Heights Department of Social Services in the in the Multipurpose Meeting Room of the Smith-Wagner Building at 9501 Lucy Corr Circle in Chesterfield,.

“Serve the Underserved: Effective Handling of Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases with Underserved Victims” is sponsored by

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the Chesterfield County Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center in cooperation with the Office of the Attorney General.

Continuing Legal Education, or CLE credits, for attorneys and Partial In-service Credit, or PIC, for police officers are pending.

The registration deadline is Thursday, Feb. 21.

For more information, contact Hunter Fisher at 804-692-0485 or hfisher@ oag.state.va.us or Melissa McMenemy at 804-6920592 or mmcmenemy@ oag.state.va.us.

TUESDAY, FEB. 26

Empowering Neighborhoods forum set Chesterfield County’s Sustain Our Community Committee (SOCC) will present its second Empowering Neighborhoods Forum from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, at the

Eanes-Pittman Public Safety Training Center at 6610 Public Safety Way in Chesterfield.

Attendees will get information about property maintenance, code enforcement and crime prevention to help

kick off the revitalization of their communities.

Chesterfield County’s new Home Modernization Guide also will be unveiled.

This event is free and open to the public.

Register at www.chesterfieldcommunities.com by Thursday, March 7.

For more information, contact Latisha Jenkins at 804-748-1065 or JenkinsL@ chesterfield.gov.

Black History Month symposium Emancipation Proclamation to be explored SUBMITTED PHOTO

Lauren McCarey, a seventh grade student at Millwood School, won the Private School Regional Spelling Bee held on Feb. 1. She was among the students representing 12 private schools in the Richmond area.

Her winning word was “oolong,” a type of tea. Lauren has attended Millwood School since kindergarten and credits her spelling ability to her love of reading.

Lauren will represent Millwood School at the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s Final Local Spelling Bee at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, at the Library of Virginia. Lauren is shown with her English teacher, Emily Farmer, who accompanied her to the spelling bee.

CONTRIBUTED REPORT

The Chesterfield County Black History Month and Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War committees, in partnership with Virginia State University and the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia, will present a symposium from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday,

Feb. 16, at Virginia State University.

The symposium, “From Civil War to Civil Rights: The Effects of the Emancipation Proclamation,” will explore the history and impact of the Emancipation Proclamation from 1863 to 1963 to the present.

Dr. Edward Ayers,

president of the University of Richmond, will be the moderator, and featured speakers will include Grady Powell, Emmanuel Dabney, Dr. Edna Greene Medford, Herbert Coulton, Dr. Lauranett Lee and Dr. Lucious Edwards.

This event is free and is open to the public.

Lunch will be provided.

Registration is required and may be done online at chesterfield.gov or by calling 804-318-8181.

For more information, including a list of Chesterfield County’s entire series of programs commemorating Black History Month, visit http://www.chesterfield. gov/blackhistorymonth/.

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2 || FEBRUARY 14, 2013

NEWS || FEATURES

MIDLOTHIANEXCHANGE.COM

Year of the Snake Chinese celebration underway

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tudents at J.B. Watkins Elementary School have snakes on the brain.

2013 is the year of the snake, according to the traditional Chinese calendar, so festivities at the school’s annual Chinese New Year celebration are decidedly reptilian this year.

Students have learned about snakes from Rockwood Park Nature Center naturalists and have engineered complicated paper snakes that will soon be on display at the Chesterfield Towne Center Barnes & Noble.

All students at J.B. Watkins Elementary take Chinese as part of a program that’s been up and running for six years. For the past four years, they’ve been under the tutelage of teacher Jenny Youman.

This year, for the first time, the celebration will involve more than one school. Today (Thursday, Feb. 14), third, fourth and fifth graders from J.B. Watkins

will enjoy a presentation by Midlothian Middle School’s Drama Club – snake-themed, of course.

The celebration will culminate in the school’s annual book fair, which will be held Feb. 22, to Feb. 24, at the Chesterfield Towne Center Barnes & Noble.

Alongside the book fair, students also will display their original art at the store through March 3.

A tea party and reception for the art show will be held at 5 p.m. on Feb. 23, at the Barnes & Noble Starbucks.

Portions of each purchase from the three-day book fair will go to J.B. Watkins Elementary School’s Chinese Language Program. Students will be entered into a drawing for each grade.

Online purchases also can benefit local students Feb. 22-24.

JIM RIDOLPHI/FILE PHOTO Visit bn.com/bookfairs and enter During last year’s Chinese New Year celebration, parents and students joined Chinese dancers on stage during a book fair ID 11010949. colorful celebration.

DeRochonnet Delights are sweet

Free lawn and garden classes CONTRIBUTED REPORT

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BY ROSLYN RYAN Editor Powhatan Today

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t’s 9 o’clock in the morning, a full hour and a half before DeRochonnet Delights officially opens for business, and Jeanne-Louise Womble is already racing the clock.

“Sorry, I have to get moving,” she says brightly, hustling over to a washtub-sized machine filled with melting chocolate. Standing in the middle of her workshop, Womble is surrounded on all four sides but what can only be described as a chocolate lover’s most delicious dream come true. There is every kind of chocolate, from dark to white to a tray full of exquisitely crafted truffles.

It isn’t just the sight of all that chocolate that gets your mouth watering: from the moment you set foot on Womble’s Midlothian shop, a temple dedicated to all things chocolate, the sweet aroma envelopes you. No matter where you stand in the store, you are only inches away from some whimsical delight.

To the casual observer, it

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Jeanne-Louise and Richard Womble opened their gourmet chocolate shop, de Rochonnet delights, in 2003.

may look as though Womble, who founded the company with her husband in 2003, has created the world’s most perfect job.

However, that’s not exactly the case.

“Long story short, everyone thinks it’s so simple,” said Womble, but the reality of working in a chocolate shop doesn’t always quite measure up to the romantic fantasies some may have. Still, she laughs, “I try to make it look easy.”

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middle name, and chosen as a tribute to the woman who inspired her to turn her passion for chocolate into a business.

“Everything we do in here,” said Womble, pointing a framed photo of her mother, “is all in honor of her.”

DeRochonnet Delights is located at 13228 Midlothian Turnpike in the Village Marketplace. For more information, visit the shop’s website at www. derochonnetdelights.com.

Hill Library. Learn to grow your own vegetables regardless of space constraints – leave with a garden plan and a plant in hand.

Critter Control - 6 p.m. on Monday, March 4, at the Midlothian Library. Get tips to save your landscape.

Flowers for Three Seasons -6 p.m. on Monday, March 18, at the Bon Air Library. A class on easy perennials and shrubs for a colorful landscape.

I Can Teach My Child to Plant - 6 p.m. on Monday, March 11, at the Bon Air Library. Learn about planting activities to do inside with your children.

Care, Feeding and Communication with Houseplants - 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, at the LaPrade Library. Are you houseplants talking to you? Bring ailing or unidentified houseplants. The class will include a repotting demo, and participants will get a snippet of a house plant to pot and take home.

‘Singing the News’ set for Saturday, Feb. 16

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If Womble does manage to pull that off, it may be because she’s spent years training with some of the best chocolate makers in the world. She has studied in Canada, France, Italy and Belgium honing her technique in places where chocolate making—and enjoying—is tantamount to a religious calling.

As for the name of her shop, Womble explains that it was her mother’s

hesterfield County Cooperative Extension and the Chesterfield County Master Gardeners plan a full schedule of free lawn and garden seminars in the coming weeks.

Among the offerings planned are: Spring Lawn Care - 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, and 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Chester Library. Learn what to do now for that lush, green lawn.

How to Control Those Lawn Weeds -1 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, at the Central Library.

They’re everywhere - learn to control them.

Pruning Crape Myrtles and Other Trees and Shrubs -6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, and Wednesday, March 6, at the LaPrade Library. Learn how to prude the correct way.

Eat Like a Locavore - 6 p.m. on Monday, March 25, at the Midlothian Library and Tuesday, April 16, at the Clover

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hat do traditional ballads have to do with the news?

Everything, if you ask Greg Kimball.

See how ballads grew out of humans’ desire to know about the world around them at a concert at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, at Congregation Or Ami at 9400 W. Huguenot Road in North Chesterfield.

The Richmond Folk Music Society will present Kimball’s “Singing the News – Ballads and Broadsides” as part of its annual series of traditional folk concerts.

Kimball is the director of public services and outreach at the Library of Virginia in Richmond. He also is the author of the book “American City, Southern Place: A Cultural History of Antebellum Richmond.”

A longtime friend of Richmond Folk Music Society director Mary Smith, Kimball also performed for the group last year. That show focused on songs about work and organized labor.

The concept behind “Singing the News – Ballads and Broadsides,” Kimball explained, is that popular music has always been a mode of communicating ideas to the masses.

“For most of human history, people learned about events through the singing of ballads and other types of events or topical songs,” Kimball said. “Remember, there was no mass media and many people were illiterate, so people learned of events

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Greg Kimball to perform on Saturday at Congregation Or Ami person-to-person (through) oral transmission.”

“Even after the rise of newspapers, radio and other media, songs still held a strong place in everyday culture. Songs of disasters, murders and notable people were recorded by major record companies beginning in the 1920s, and thus became nationally known.”

Although ballads have been sung throughout much of recorded history, Kimball said it wasn’t until the end of the 15th century that popular British ballads began to be printed on single sheets of paper that were often called broadsides. The tradition continued in the United States, and American songs were both sung and printed.

The tunes told stories that were complex and sometimes explicit in nature.

“The popularity of these songs derived from people’s hunger for news and their fascination with stories of loss, love and power,” Kimball said.

“The ballads satisfied a basic human need for heroes and villains, morality tales, and often our fascination with death and destruction.”

“We sometimes criticize our media for its obsession with murder and mayhem and its focus on the lurid. And, believe me, many of these old ballads are just as violent and voyeuristic as any TV crime drama or reality show.”

The songs that will be sung on Saturday represent a wide variety of musical traditions, and guest artists also will appear with Kimball to sing or to play their own versions of certain ballads. Sheryl Warner, a Richmond-based folk performer that Kimball said specializes in blues, will perform Bessie Smith’s flood song “Back Water Blues.”

Instrumentalist Ron Curry will be featured on some early country songs, such as Virginian Ernest Stoneman’s “Titanic.”

Kimball said Smith will sing “Gregorio Cortez,” which

is an example of the Corrido, a Mexican-American ballad form, in Spanish complete with a translation.

Audience members are allowed to sing along during the concert. “Many of these songs have choruses meant for just that, so by all means,” Kimball said.

Keeping the history of music alive is important to the Richmond Folk Society. And, as Kimball explained, ballads told stories from the perspectives of common people, and that’s why the musical genre will remain an important part of American history.

“I think that you could essentially tell the story of America through ballads and topical songs,” Kimball said.

“These songs are also one of the few historical sources that give us a feel for how average people perceived events.”

Admission is $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

For more information, call 804-647-7856 or visit www. richmondfolkmusic.com.

MIDLOTHIANEXCHANGE.COM

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NEWS || FEATURES

FEBRUARY 14, 2013 || 3

Samuel Little Graphic Design Small Business of the Year

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY SANDY WHITESIDE

The Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Bank of McKenneyChester’s new location at 200 Johnson Creek Road in Chester.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Samuel Little receives Chamber honor Our county’s Chamber gives Samuel Little Graphic small business professionDesign was named Small als such as myself a sense of Business of the Year 2012 belonging.” by the Chesterfield County Samuel Little Graphic Chamber of Commerce.

Design, a marketing, website “I’m humbled and development and graphic honored,” Little said of the design firm that opened in award. “It’s important to 1995, has been a Chamber me personally and promember since 2008. fessionally to be part of Little is a Chamber Chesterfield County’s active ambassador and serves on business community. Being the events and membership active in our Chamber, committees and the memtherefore, it’s a must for me. ber value sub-committee.

CONTRIBUTED REPORT

Jana Fisher named top Harbour Pointe producer Jana Fisher a sales associate with Long & Foster® Real Estate Inc.’s Harbour Pointe office at 5000 W Village Green Dr. in Midlothian has been named Top Producer for December 2012.

“We are proud to announce Jana as Top Producer,” said Gary Scott, president of Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. “Jana is one of many examples of Long & Foster’s highly-trained professionals who go to great lengths to best serve clients seeking the total homeownership experience.”

A real estate professional for 13 years, Fisher is an active member of the Richmond Association of Realtors®.

She holds the prestigiousAccredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) profes-

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Jana Fisher

sional designation and has consistently proven to be a high achiever since entering real estate.

Frequently cited as a top producer, Fisher also is a member of Long & Foster’s coveted President’s Club for producing more than $4 million in settled sales volume in 2012.

For more information, visit www.LongandFoster.com.

Spring Swim Team Clinic at YMCA and a fall and winter swim team season,” Smith said. “It’s efore a youngster all the same program.” dives into swim “The YMCA is focused on team competition, youth development, which a little skill honing includes things like teamcan go a long way. work, caring and respect and The upcoming Spring critiquing their swimming Swim Team Clinic at the ability. So, it’s critiquing Midlothian Family YMCA them to improve on their at 737 Coalfield Road aims four strokes and the core to do just that. Starting on values of the YMCA.” Monday, March 25, and runAlthough the Spring Swim ning through Thursday, May Team Clinic will share the 2, the clinic is for swimmers same coaching staff with aged 5 to 18. the Midlothian Tidal Waves, Registration for the Spring Smith said the clinic is not Swim Team Clinic opens on related to the swim team. InFriday, Feb. 15. The deadline stead, the Spring Swim Team to register for the clinic is Clinic is an opportunity for Monday, March 22. all swimmers to develop their Daniel Smith is the aquat- skills before participating in ics director and head coach any swim team experience. at the Midlothian Family “It’s mainly a YMCA. clinic with tutorials and drills YMCA facility members before their summer swim,” might already recognize Smith said. “This is for peoSmith from his involveple who have a swim team ment with the Midlothian background or are interested Tidal Waves, which is the in becoming involved in a Midlothian location’s YMCA swim team atmosphere.” swim team program.

For that reason, the clinic “With the Midlothian is not an activity for children Tidal Waves, we do a summer who haven’t learned how

BY KOREY HUGHES Special Correspondent

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to swim. And, according to Smith, participants should have already attained a specific proficiency level before they take part in the Spring Swim Team Clinic.

“They must be able to do one length of freestyle or one length of backstroke,” Smith said. “The clinic will work on the butterfly, the backstroke, the breaststroke and the freestyle and starts and turns.”

Not only will attendees improve their proficiencies as swimmers, but they will learn other values along the way.

“The YMCA focuses on developing the best allaround swimmer and their confidence, not only in their best stroke but their least effective stroke,” Smith said.

“So, we focus on their accomplishments. It’s all about individual self-achievement,” he added.

Smith said swimming is a good fitness activity for kids, but also is a skill that can serve them throughout their lives.

“We teach water safety as well. But I think that it’s a

life skill that everyone should know, especially youth,” Smith said, noting that everyone needs to know basic rules for pools, oceans, lakes and other water settings.

Swimmers ages 12 and under can participate in one or two sessions that will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Swimmers ages 13 to 18 can participate in one or two sessions that will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The charge for YMCA facility members who only want to participate in the clinic one day a week is $50.

For non-members, the fee is $65.

YMCA can participate twice a week for $70, while non-members can do the same for $100.

For more information about the clinic, pricing or the schedule, call Daniel Smith at 804-419-8547 or e-mail him at smithd@ymcarichmond.org.

Advertise in Midlothian Exchange!

Call (804) 598-4305 for details.

April 11 is the date to register for kindergarten CONTRIBUTED REPORT

Throughout Central Virginia, April 11 is the date to register children for kindergarten.

Every Chesterfield County elementary school will register children between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, and parents should take their children to the elementary school they are zoned to attend.

To find the correct school, parents should call 804-3188743 or go online to the parents section of mychesterfieldschools.com and click “find my school.”

Kindergarten is a full-day program offered in every Chesterfield elementary school to help children learn language arts, math, science and social studies.

A child must be 5 years

UP TO

old on or before Sept. 30 to attend kindergarten for the 2013-2014 school year. There are no exceptions to the age requirement.

Children should accompany their parents to registration on April 11 so they can participate in a brief evaluation.

Parents must bring the child’s certified original birth certificate; the child’s Social Security number is requested.

To attend Chesterfield County Public Schools, children must reside in Chesterfield County with a parent or legal guardian, so parents also must bring to registration their photo ID and one of these proofs of residency: Lease for at least one year or deed of a residence or property in Chesterfield County Contract or lease free of

contingencies to occupy a Chesterfield County residence within two months of the date of enrollment Resident manager’s letter on company letterhead stating that residence is a corporate residence in Chesterfield County Weekly receipts for temporary residence in a hotel or motel for up to 60 days (requires renewal or evidence of more permanent residency within 60 days of enrollment) Before the first day of school, parents must supply medical records showing their child has had a physical examination within the past 12 months and listing the dates of each state-required immunization.

For more information, parents should call their neighborhood school.

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PHOTO SUBMITTED BY PATRICIA CUENIN

Swift Creek Middle School’s newest musicians recently debuted to a standing ovation.

Shown are, from left, front, Ashley Ban, and, back, Donovan Wigfall, Kippei Shibata, Connor Johnson and band director Myren McGonigle.

Standing ovation for band

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wift Creek Middle School’s Beginning Band students gave their very first concert on Wednesday, Jan. 23, to a very appreciative audience of parents and friends. Through their renditions of folk tunes from around the world, the students demonstrated what they have learned both individually and as an ensemble. Student readers introduced each of the tunes and explained which skill they helped

students learn. The concert culminated with the group’s performance of four pieces of sheet music that reinforced the concepts students have learned so far, including Old MacBingo by John O’Reilly, A Festive Christmas arranged by Frank Erickson, Holiday Sampler arranged by John O’Reilly and Mark Williams and Here We Go March

by John O’Reilly. The 51-member ensemble received a standing ovation.

EXPLAIN

4 || FEBRUARY 14, 2013

NEWS || FEATURES

GUEST COLUMNIST

CRIME REPORT

If you can read this sign, you’re too close

BY JIM RIDOLPHI Special Correspondent

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n the past, I’ve viewed stories on people illegally parking in the handicapped zone with a minimal amount of interest. Although I would never consider doing such a thing myself, I withheld judgment on those who cheated on the reserved spaces.

As many of you know, I have a son with muscular dystrophy, and he qualified for a handicapped sticker.

Since we began using it, it has made Jack’s life much more manageable, and long walks from the parking lot have largely been eliminated.

I view the handicapped designation as a blessing for disabled people whose journeys are much more difficult that any of us able-bodied individuals will ever recognize. The extra 15 feet can seem like miles to those who legitimately have a right to park in these zones.

My intolerance with those who ignore the designations and use the zone as a drop-off or quick parking space has grown almost daily, and it is indeed rare for us to go a full 24 hours without an incident involving an illegally parked car in the handicapped zone.

Since my children are usually with me when these incidents occur, I sometimes hold my tongue and always respect civility as first order. Other times, I just can’t help letting one of these inconsiderate drivers have it – verbally, of course.

My son’s elementary school has two handicapped spaces, and, more times than not, they are occupied by non-designated cars driven by hurried mothers and fathers. I suppose they don’t realize that their convenience is of little consequence to a disabled boy who has to walk a block in the rain so they can save that extra minute.

On one rainy morning, a father returned to his car, parked in the handicapped zone.

He could have noticed the stare I was leveling at him as I waited behind the space. He walked back

and explained. “My son had a project he needed to take to his class today,” he said apologetically.

“My son has muscular dystrophy, every day,” I quickly replied.

Laws are not suggestions. Society, in its wisdom, has seen fit to make accessibility a little easier for those who deserve a helping hand.

Fact is, there is no good excuse for parking illegally in the handicapped zone. Just having to run in for a minute, or dropping someone off are not legitimate uses for the space or viable excuses for denying the rights of a disabled person.

The best I can hope for all of these offenders is they will all receive an expensive ticket for that patently selfish act at some point in their self-centered careers. Hopefully, all of you will encounter someone not nearly as nice as me as you proceed through life thinking rules are only for us dumb ones, and will get the tonguelashing and verbal beat-down you truly deserve. I plan on doing my part to make sure that happens, especially for repeat offenders.

I’m not sure what type of person abuses the rights of disabled people, but I’m pretty sure they won’t be receiving any humanitarian awards. Certainly not from me anyway.

As I exit my soapbox, I only have one question left and that’s for the lady in the brown station wagon who parks in the handicapped zone daily at my son’s school: “What the hell is the matter with your legs?”

There’s another parent of a disabled child at his school who often arrives at the same time we do in the morning. After we both waited for that very car to pull out of the handicapped spot, we spoke briefly on the sidewalk to the front door.

“You know, there are two kinds of people who park in those zones,” she said.

“Yeah, who is that?” I replied.

“The disabled and a*******.”

Truer words were never spoken.

PRIDE sets foster parents training

BY KOREY HUGHES Special Correspondent

A training session for prospective foster parents was conducted on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services.

PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education) is the curriculum the local Department of Social Services and many other Virginia branches use to educate potential foster parents.

According to Lindsay Britt, family development specialist for the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services, about 30 people attended information sessions in November and January in advance of the current PRIDE training session. At those meetings, attendees learned about the children involved, their families and the approval process that prospective foster parents must undergo.

Another information session will be set for this summer, but a date has not yet been selected, Britt noted.

“We also go over expectations for resource parents with the agency and emphasize the importance of working as a team to achieve permanency for a child,” Britt said.

“Permanency means return home to the birth parents, placement with relatives, or adoption when

the first two are not achievable.”

“Foster parents are expected to be part of the child’s transition back to the birth parents, with relatives, or with adoptive parents in some cases. The basic role is for resource parents to provide temporary care for children that enter the department’s custody, but the role includes much more, which is defined throughout the approval process.”

As Britt explained, there is a need for foster parents who are willing to foster teens and for parents who can foster groups of two or more siblings.

“Teenagers and siblings groups are difficult to place in regular foster homes due to their greater needs,” Britt said. “Some of our current families are unable to accommodate teens for various reasons.”

“It may be due to the special needs (such as) behavior, aggression and intellectual disabilities, or because of the ages of their own birth children in the home. Sometimes, it just takes educating the foster parents on the teenagers because many of them can be maintained in our regular foster homes.”

Foster families with stay-athome parents also are in high demand because, as Britt explained, being a foster parent requires flexibility.

Britt added that the PRIDE

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pre-service training also consists of about 27 training hours and includes lectures, activities, videos and discussion, along with some activities parents complete at home.

“Throughout the training, prospective foster parents would be submitting paperwork and all necessary background checks,” Britt said. “I would also (visit) their home multiple times throughout the process to get to know the family and assess their ability to meet the competencies and provide stable homes for the children in the department’s custody.”

Possible foster parents are checked for a variety of qualities, Britt explained, including flexibility, compassion for others and a commitment to the children and families they would serve.

“We look for people who are willing and committed to working with birth families, despite the serious issues that led to their children entering foster care. Resource parents must also have their own strong support system while navigating through the difficulties of fostering abused and or neglected children and working within our system.”

To obtain more information about becoming a foster parent in Chesterfield County, call Lindsay Britt at 804-717-6391.

All data are based on the publicly available Chesterfield County Police Department daily arrest and crime releases and are reported according to Federal Incident Based Reporting rules.

23120 Jan. 22 5200 block of Cabretta Drive Several unknown suspect/s were observed stealing items from a home under construction.

23112 Jan. 15 7200 block of Full Rack Drive Unknown suspect/s broke out the glass of the rear sliding doors. Items, including firearms, were reported stolen from the victim’s residence.

4600 block of Commonwealth Centre Parkway Suspect stole items from a department store.

Jan. 17 8000 block of Midlothian Turnpike Two armed, unknown suspects entered a business through an unlocked rear door. The suspects displayed handguns and forced one employee to open the register to give them money.

The suspects then forced the employees into the walk in freezer and fled the scene. Items were reported stolen.

No injuries were reported.

Jan. 20

Jan. 21 7400 Midlothian Turnpike Armed and masked suspect entered the business, forced the victims to their knees and stole currency.

23236 Jan 15 4300 block of Sharonridge Drive Unknown suspect/s forced entry through an exterior garage door and an interior garage door that leads into the residence. Items were reported stolen from the victim’s residence.

23234 Jan. 15 3300 block of Meadowdale Boulevard Unknown suspect/s entered residence with no signs of forced entry, but there was a hole in the drywall leading from the exterior water heater closet into the apartment. Items were reported stolen from the residence.

Jan. 19 6200 block of Sloan Court Unknown suspect/s assaulted the victim outside of the residence in a parking lot.

23235

9400 block of Midlothian Turnpike Unknown suspect/s possibly entered Jan. 15 the business through an unsecure win3900 block of Tanbark Road dow. Items were reported stolen from A report of fraud/identity was reported a building at a construction site. at the victim’s residence.

Midlothian Middle students Advance to regional history bee CONTRIBUTED REPORT

Four Midlothian Middle School students have qualified to compete in a regional history bee in April.

Students qualify for the live competition by taking a regional qualifying exam online.

Students receive two points for questions answered correctly, and lose one point for misses.

The top 120 scorers from a region advance to the live competition.

Midlothian students who made the cut include Austin Bassard, who

scored 148; Andy Monroe, with a score of 139; Samuel McCormack, with a score of 126; and Yusuf Goulmamine, with a score of 101.

Those four are now eligible to travel to the regional finals, set for Tuesday, April 23, at Westland Middle School in Bethesda, Md. There, students will play head-tohead on a Jeopardy-style buzzer system to answer questions about history. See sample questions and learn more about the event at www. historybee.com.

Swift Creek Middle School students attend Healthy Youth Day

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY PATRICIA CUENIN

Virginia First Lady Maureen McDonnell was the keynote speaker at the fourth annual Virginia Healthy Youth Day, an event aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles for the Commonwealth’s young people. About 20 students from Swift Creek Middle School attended the event, which was held at the Richmond Marriott. Specialists from the Richmond YMCA and representatives from Mad Science of Central Virginia provided interactive demonstrations and activities to teach attendees about exercising, eating right, staying away from tobacco products and other healthy concepts. Mascots from the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Richmond Kickers and VCU exercised with the students. Students from Swift Creek also visited the Library of Virginia and the Capitol during their motivating and inspirational day in the city.

Chesterfield County schedule of events continues for Black History Month

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he Chesterfield County Black History Month Committee and Chesterfield County Public Library will present a series of free programs in February as part of the county’s annual Black History Month commemorations.

To learn more about the programs, visit library.chesterfield.gov.

The schedule includes: Story Time and Craft with the Virginia Historical Society from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 16 and 23 and March 2 at the Midlothian Library, Meadowdale Library and M

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Central Library, respectively. Hear A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson and create a Martin Luther King Jr. hand puppet. Recommended for children aged 4-10.

Unknown No Longer: A Virginia Slave Name Database from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 11, and 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Chester Library and Midlothian Library, respectively. This genealogical tool, a project of the Virginia Historical Society, offers a glimpse into 19th-century Virginia history. Learn how to find Virginia ancestors.

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Joy Monopoli Brian French Birgit Weeks Melody Kinser Bruce Wells Cindy Grant

tory of the banjo in this illustrated lecture.

Teen Studio: Feel the Beat from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, Feb. 16 and Feb. 23, at Meadowdale Library, Bon Air Library and LaPrade Library, respectively. Become immersed in West African drumming in this djembe workshop presented by the Elegba Folklore Society. Learn percussion techniques and explore cultural traditions. Participants in this program must be between the ages of programs, and may be done online 12 and 16 years old. at library.chesterfield.gov, or at any Registration is suggested for all library branch.

N 3229 Anderson Highway

EXCHANGE EX Publisher Production Manager Market Manager Managing Editor Sports Editor Classifieds

Storyteller Donna Washington from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, at LaPrade Library, Meadowdale Library and Central Library, respectively. This fun, high-energy, participatory storytelling event will celebrate tricksters, tribulations and triumphs.

Whoop and Holler (Morning Coffee Break program) from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Feb. 5, Wednesday, Feb. 13, and Thursday, Feb. 19, at Bon Air Library, Midlothian Library and Chester Library, respectively. Learn the his-

Powhatan, Va 23114 Office: (804) 379-6451 Fax: (804) 379-6215 Mail: PO Box 10 Powhatan, VA 23139

jmonopoli@worldmediaenterprise.com bfrench@powhatantoday.com bweeks@powhatantoday.com editor@midlothianexchange.com bwells@midlothianexchange.com cgrant@mechlocal.com

(804) 746-1235 x 14 (804) 598-4305 x 16 (804) 598-4305 x 14 (804) 746-1235 x 22 (804) 598-4305 x 17 (804) 746-1235 x 16

Vol. VII, 2nd edition © 2013 by Richmond Suburban News. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced without the permission of the publisher.

PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY || ONLINE EVERY DAY

All correspondence submitted for publication must include first and last name, and for verification purposes only, a street address, and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, grammar & space.

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EXPLAIN

FEBRUARY 14, 2013 || 5

NEWS || FEATURES

Manchester Volunteer Rescue Squad Blood drive to be held Saturday at Station 2 location

BY KOREY HUGHES Special Correspondent

A Joe Oestreich

Rock-n-Roll writer Coming to college Lit Festival Joe Oestreich, an author, songwriter and musician, will take part in the Feb. 19-28 18th Annual Literary Festival at John Tyler Community College.

The festival will celebrate the written word, a powerful force that can create haunting stories, adoring verses, imaginative lyrics, belly-aching laughs, dramatic speeches, and theatrical spectacles.

Oestreich’s memoir, “Hitless Wonder: A Life in Minor League Rock and Roll,” documents his 20-plus years in the rock band Watershed. His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Esquire, Ninth Letter and Fourth Genre.

He is an assistant professor of English and creative writing at Coastal Carolina University.

In addition to participating in a reading and book signing event that will be open to the community, Oestreich will lead writing workshops designed specifically for John Tyler students.

Literary Festival events open to the public include: Reading and book signing with Joe Oestreich will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19, in room H109 in Hamel Hall on the Midlothian campus.

Student and faculty read-

ings will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, in room H109 in Hamel Hall on the Midlothian campus.

Student speech contest will begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, in room B124 in Bird Hall on the Chester campus.

Staged reading of “The Belle of Amherst” by acting teacher Catherine Bryne will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, in room H109 in Hamel Hall on the Midlothian campus.

Midlothian campus, Hamel Hall, room H109.

Student and faculty readings will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, in room B124 in Bird Hall on the Chester campus.

Admission is free for all public events, and light refreshments will be served.

To learn more about Joe Oestreich, visit http://joeoestreich.com/.

For additional information about the John Tyler Community College Literary Festival, visit www.facebook. com/johntylercc, or contact Jeff Landon at jlandon@jtcc. edu or 804-594-1473.

For directions to John Tyler Community College’s Chester and Midlothian campuses, go to www.jtcc. edu/locations.

lthough the Manchester Volunteer Rescue Squad’s main aim is quick responses to medical emergencies, they’ll respond to another pressing need on Saturday, Feb. 16, in Chesterfield County.

The organization is hosting a blood drive from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at its MVRS Station 2 at 7810 Winterpock Rd. in Chesterfield.

Manchester Volunteer Rescue Squad president Katherine Eubank said the squad began its collaboration with the American Red Cross in 2012 and that Saturday’s blood drive will continue their partnership. “We had

two with them last year, so we’re continuing those efforts,” Eubank said.

Because blood is a material that charitable health organizations like the American Red Cross need all year long, it is a crucial commodity.

When asked if there is currently a blood shortage in Chesterfield County, Eubank said blood is always needed.

“I don’t know that there is, but I haven’t heard that they have enough,” Eubank said.

Members of the general public are welcome to participate in the event.

There are ailments, however, that can hinder people from being able to give blood. “They do a screen-

ing there at the site,” Eubank said. “We’ve had people who couldn’t (give blood) because of certain things.”

“If they’re sick, we don’t want them to give blood.

And if they’re running a fever or if they’ve been out of the country within a certain period, they may not be able to give blood.”

As Eubank pointed out, giving blood is a great way to help another person that doesn’t require a financial investment.

“Well, whether they’re involved in fire or EMS or not, they should want to help other people,” Eubank said.

“It doesn’t cost anything but your time as long as you’re healthy, and I would think

that it’s a great way to help your fellow man.”

Eubank said the squad, which has another station on Courthouse Road, consists mostly of volunteers. Membership requires a rigorous application process.

“They can go online or come out and do an application,” Eubank said. “Once they fill it out, they would meet with the membership committee and have a full background check, a hand scan and a DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) check.”

For more information about Saturday’s blood drive or the Manchester Volunteer Rescue Squad, including how to become a member, visit www.mvrs.org.

Long & Foster welcomes agent Allison Springer Allison Springer has joined Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. at its Village of Midlothian office.

Springer will specialize in working with homebuyers and sellers.

“We are very excited and fortunate to have Allison join us,” Dianne Flournoy, manager of the Village of Midlothian office, said. “We look forward to the high quality of service to consumers that she has built a reputation and career around.”

Springer successfully completed Long & Foster’s Star Builders program, an extensive training course for newly licensed sales

associates. The program’s curriculum covers contracts, agency, prospecting, business planning, finance and working with buyers and sellers.

Springer holds membership in the Richmond Association of Realtors.

“Long & Foster Real Estate is the market leader in Central Virginia. I feel that in order to offer my clients the most professional, prompt and courteous service, nobody does it better than Long & Foster, Village of Midlothian. I pride myself on bringing my experience as a former award-winning retail manager to the Long & Foster

team and look forward to meeting and exceeding all of my clients expectations in their real estate needs,” Springer said.

“The dynamics of today’s residential real estate market are constantly changing.

Completing our Star Builders program has provided Allison with the right tools to meet those changing dynamics,” Gary Scott, president of Long & Foster Real Estate Inc., said. “We welcome Allison to Long & Foster, a company that has helped local buyers and sellers reach their homeownership goals for more than 40 years.”

Allison Springer

Allison resides in Chesterfield with her husband Chris and twin sons.

For more information, visit www.LongandFoster. com.

Women’s League to learn about therapeutic massage

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herapeutic massage will be the topic of the Wednesday, Feb. 20, meeting of the Chesterfield Women’s League.

The group will meet from 9 a.m. to noon at The Villages of Charter Colony Clubhouse ay 1101 Charter

Club Way in Midlothian.

A licensed massage therapist will talk about the benefits of therapeutic massage.

Refreshments will be served at the meeting, which is open to members and non-members.

Newcomers to the area

and women interested in learning more about the League, which meets the third Wednesday of each month, are encouraged and welcome to attend.

Meetings feature guest speakers or other special activities of interest to women.

The League aims to

give women opportunities to make new friends, get involved in specialized interest groups, and support the community through charity work.

For more information, contact Carole at 804-4057809 or carolercrist@gmail. com.

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT

02/13-02/14

VALENTINE WORD SEARCH

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

HOROSCOPES

60. Winglike structures 61. Belittle oneself 65. Department of Troyes France 66. Mains 67. Shoe ties 68. A carefree adventure 69. Mariner or sailor 70. Modern chair designer 71. ____ Gin Fizz cocktail CLUES DOWN 1. Chew the fat 2. A prince in India 3. A Far East wet nurse 4. Axiom 5. The frame around a door 6. Fruit drink 7. Ugandan Pres. Amin 8. Real Estate Services 9. Brass that looks like gold 10. Nutmeg seed covering spice 11. River in Austria 12. Eliminates 15. Canadian province 20. Green, Earl Grey and iced 22. Four ball advancement 24. Vaselike receptacle

25. Highest card 26. Unction 27. 1st of the books of the Minor Prophets 28. Symbols of allegiance 30. Farm state 31. A citizen of Iran 32. More dried-up 33. Alt. spelling for tayra 35. Perfect examples 41. One point E of SE 42. Secretly watch 43. Three toed sloth 44. __ student, learns healing 45. Liquid body substances 47. Act of selling again 48. Stroke 52. Selector switches 53. Speed, not slow 54. City founded by Xenophanes 55. Picasso’s mistress Dora 57. Having two units or parts 58. 2nd largest Spanish river 59. Delta Kappa Epsilon nickname 62. The cry made by sheep 63. Air Cheif Marshall 64. Perceive with the eyes

CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 You may find that you have an easy time of reading people this week, Cancer. Use this trait to your advantage to find out how certain people feel about your new ideas.

LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Show others how good their lives can be if they just follow a little of your own advice and take cues from what you have done already, Libra. Expect a few converts.

CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricron, lend a helping hand when you see an opportunity to do so. Donate your time to someone in need or help a friend or family member complete a project.

TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, although you may not be able to see into the future, you can plan for what may happen in the next few days. Now is the perfect time to check in with friends.

LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, don’t get too excited when things seem out of whack this week. Keep calm and find out how you can set things on the right course. Lead by example, and others will follow.

SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, you may be more focused on your fantasies and dream life than what is going on in your real life for the next few days. Just don’t wander around in a fog for too long.

AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, clarify your needs and wants. Until you can delineate between these factors you may be spending unnecessarily, which is not what your budget needs.

VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, try not to participate in any new activities this week. You are already over-extended. Clear your to-do lists before you take on any other responsibilities.

SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, it may be hard to concentrate this week, especially with so many ideas floating around in your head. But do your best to stay focused.

GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, get all of your work ducks in a row because you want to ensure you are up for the next promotion or pay increase. Now could be the time to make work your top priority.

PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, it may take a few days for you to handle things, but don’t let that dissuade you from trying. Set your own timetable.

THIS WEEK’S ANSWERS

CLUES ACROSS 1. Jam into 5. Egypt’s capital 10. Disfigure 13. Biblical Hamath 14. Vipera berus 15. The three wise men 16. “The foaming cleanser” 17. Earthquake 18. Breezed through 19. South Pacific island 21. Legal possessors 23. List of dishes served 25. Jai __ 26. Superhigh frequency 29. Farm fanbatic 34. Double agents 36. No (Scottish) 37. Peninsula off Manchuria 38. As fast as can be done (abbr.)

39. Apulian city 70121 40. Talk show host Philbin 42. USA’s favorite uncle 45. More coherent 46. PBS drama series 49. Retirement plan 50. Be obedient to 51. French river 53. __ fatale, seductive woman 56. Made a surprise attack

ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, be on your best behavior this week. Acquaintances both new and established will have their eyes on you, and it is essential that you make a good impression.

6 || FEBRUARY 14, 2013

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YOUR WORLD || TRAVEL

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STUFF TO DO E-mail your event to editor@midlothianexchange.com Subject line: EVENT

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 13 Whoop and Holler (Morning Coffee Break program) will be presented from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Bon Air Library, Midlothian Library and Chester Library, respectively. Learn the history of the banjo in this illustrated lecture.

ESOL students and Art students will travel over to Midlothian High School to see their production of Treasure Island. For more information please contact Ms. Grossnickle at 768-6156, extension 5139.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Boy Scouts from Troop 2806 are shown on a scuba diving, fishing and sight-seeing trip in the Bahamas.

SCOUTS from page 1 The key, in Troop 2806 Scoutmaster Jeff DeHoff ’s opinion, is the number of dedicated adults who volunteer to help make the troops work. But it’s not just the numbers that are impressive, he added.

“Most of us are very committed to scouting as a way of teaching boys lifelong values, teaching boys skills, teaching boys how to become men,” DeHoff said. “It’s not just kind of something you do once a week and grumble about the extra time it takes.”

Mark Wheeler, an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 2806, who took a turn at its helm, agreed with DeHoff.

“By having this depth of resources in our adult ranks, we almost always have a merit badge counselor available,” Wheeler said.

The more merit badge opportunities, the better, DeHoff pointed out.

Some boys may not be as outdoorsy as others, so they may spend minimal time on more “traditional” scouting pursuits like camping and devote their time to other pursuits, like robotics or short-wave radio activities.

He added that merit badge exploration recently led one of his scouts to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

All three scout leaders agreed – the point is not just playing outside. It’s developing well-rounded adults.

“We see our role as giving them the skills to traverse all of these challenges they’ll have when they get out on their own,” said DeHoff. “. . . And they’ll know how to build a fire.”

There's a merit badge for that?

Modern Boy Scouts go for many of the same merit badges their predecessors have sought over the organization’s 103-year history. But as the program has grown and changed, so have its offerings.

New badges are introduced often, including a Search and Rescue badge Troop 2806 recently pursued with a huge training exercise at the Brady Saunders Boy Scouts of America camping reservation near Goochland. More than 100 people participated that day.

Some scouts in his troop have 30 or 40 merit badges and are pursuing more, Smith said. Boys must earn 21 required badges to attain the top rank of Eagle Scout.

“The merit badge program is so broad-reaching, they could choose to do more athletic-centered badges, or, for more academic boys, they do more technical classroom-oriented badges,” Smith said. Boys can pursue badges on their own or as part of a group program.

Outside of badge pursuit, scouts go on regular trips that can range from a standard weekend out in the woods or trip to a museum to much more unique experiences. Smith pointed out that local scouts recently visited Mt. Rogers, the highest peak in Virginia. A group of local scouts was interested in scuba diving, so the boys sought certification locally then went on a 10-day diving and fishing

FRIDAY, FEB. 15 Knights of Columbus Annual Lenten Fish Fry will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church at 2700 Dolfield Drive in Richmond. The event is open to the public. The adult menu includes fried catfish or baked salmon, salad, baked potato, hush puppies and a beverage, all for $10. The children’s menu includes a half portion of salmon or catfish, macaroni and cheese, french fries and a beverage, all for $4. Children 5 and under eat free. For more information, contact John Saelens at 804594-3801.

SATURDAY, FEB. 16 Story Time and Craft with the Virginia Historical Society will be presented from 11 a.m. to noon at the Midlothian Library, Meadowdale Library and Central Library, respectively. Hear “A Sweet Smell of Roses” by Angela Johnson and create a Martin Luther King Jr. hand puppet at the event, which is recommended for children aged 4 to 10. For more information, visit library. chesterfield.gov.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Troop 2860 members backpack the Appalachian Trail.

trip in the Bahamas the next summer, DeHoff added.

Troop 2860 even got to say the Pledge of Allegiance to introduce President Barack Obama at the Siegel Center in Richmond this spring, Smith pointed out.

Life Scout Patrick Holder, 15, a member of Troop 2860 who’s currently pursuing Eagle rank, said, “It’s some building a fire and camping, but there’s a lot of stuff other people don’t realize.”

Holder also said he has gotten valuable leadership and life skill training that will serve him for years to come.

“It helps you not only with your occupation, but with your everyday life and what you do in the community,” Holder said. “It will help me be able to conduct myself in interviews. It’ll also help me to lead, and those skills go with you the rest of your life.

Eagle Scout Adam Dingman of Troop 2806 agreed.

“I have been all over the country and North America – New Mexico, Canada, the Florida Keys,” Dingman said. “Those are once-ina-lifetime experiences that we could only really achieve through scouting.”

Personal development activities have been just as important, said Dingman, noting that leadership skills he’s learned in scouting have helped him work with younger players on his soccer team. And when he’s not in a leadership position, he added, he knows how to interact effectively.

“Even when I may not be the full-on leader of a project, I understand that doing my part and doing it well will benefit the team.”

In addition to benefiting the team, the boys learn to work for the benefit of the community. Scouting careers culminate in massive personal service projects

Storyteller Donna Washington will appear from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at LaPrade Library, Meadowdale Library and Central Library, respectively. The fun, highenergy, participatory storytelling event will celebrate tricksters, tribulations and triumphs. For more information, visit library.chesterfield. gov.

SATURDAY, FEB. 16

Patrick Holder

scouts must complete to reach the rank of Eagle Scout. Holder is building picnic tables and a sand box for a church that doesn’t have a Boy Scout troop based there, while Dingman created a quarter-mile walking trail for a middle school.

Eagle Scout projects benefit the community for years after the scout’s efforts are finished, Wheeler noted. Troop-wide efforts also make a big splash, from food bank collections to massive clean-up efforts, including a massive annual cleanup Troop 2860 conducts at the Swift Creek Reservoir, to get the boys out and involved.

“What it’s about is service to others – it’s not about service to yourself,” said DeHoff. “Any time that people in the community come across scouts and can help them along by encouraging them or telling them they’re doing a good job on a project, or buying their popcorn, they should. The idea is really we’re intending to make our immediate local community as good a place as possible to live.”

To learn more about Troop 2860, go to https:// sites.google.com/a/ troop860.org/public/, and visit http://www.troop806. com/ to check in on Troop 2806.

Midlothian Masonic Lodge No. 211 will sponsor a charity breakfast and bloodmobile at the lodge at 13510 Westfield Road in Midlothian. The breakfast is a combined charity event for the Masonic Home of Virginia by Midlothian Lodge 211 and Black Heath Lodge No. 1982. The breakfast will be held from 8 to 10 a.m.

For $5, the menu includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, coffee, bacon and sausage.

The bloodmobile is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Chesterfield County Black History Month and Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War committees, in partnership with Virginia State University and the Chesterfield County Historical Society of Virginia, will present a symposium, “From Civil War to Civil Rights: The Effects of the Emancipation Proclamation” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Virginia State University. This event is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required and may be done online at chesterfield.gov or by calling 804-318-8181. For more information, including a list of Chesterfield County’s entire series of programs commemorating Black History Month, visit http://www. chesterfield.gov/blackhistorymonth/.

Teen Studio: Feel the Beat will be presented from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Meadowdale Library, Bon Air Library and LaPrade Library, respectively.

Become immersed in West African drumming in this djembe workshop presented by the Elegba Folklore Society. Learn percussion techniques and explore cultural traditions. Participants in this program must be between the ages of 12 and 16 years old. For more information, visit library.chesterfield.gov.

The Richmond Folk Music Society will present Greg Kimball’s “Singing the News – Ballads and Broadsides” as part of its annual series of traditional folk concerts.

See how ballads grew out of humans’ desire to know about the world around them at a concert at 7:15 p.m. at Congregation Or Ami at 9400 W. Huguenot Road in North Chesterfield.

THURSDAY, FEB. 19 Whoop and Holler (Morning Coffee Break program) will be presented from 10:30 a.m. to noon on at Bon Air Library, Midlothian Library and Chester Library, respectively. Learn the history of the banjo in this illustrated lecture.

Midlothian High Night of Stars begins at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at the school. The show will unveil the show choirs’ 2013 competition programs for the first time and will include an appearance by Reveille, an a capella group from The College of William and Mary.

Desserts will follow the performance. Tickets for the show and the treats are $10 at the door. Advance tickets and reserved seating are available for large groups – $8 apiece for groups of 10 or more and $7 apiece for groups of 20 or more. To purchase tickets in advance, call 804-794-5949.

John Tyler Community College’s 18th Annual Literary Festival will feature a reading and book signing with Joe Oestreich at 7 p.m. in room H109 in Hamel Hall on the Midlothian campus. Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served.

To learn more about Oestreich, visit http://joeoestreich. com/. For more information about the festival, visit www. facebook.com/johntylercc, or contact Jeff Landon at jlandon@jtcc.edu or 804-5941473. For directions to John Tyler Community College’s Chester and Midlothian campuses, go to www.jtcc. edu/locations.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20 Chesterfield Women’s League meeting begins at 9 a.m. at The Villages of Charter Colony Clubhouse ay 1101 Charter Club Way in Midlothian. A licensed massage therapist will talk about the benefits of therapeutic massage. Refreshments will be served at the meeting, which is open to members and non-members.

For more information, contact Carole at 804-405-7809 or carolercrist@gmail.com.

Spring Lawn Care seminar begins at 6 p.m. at the Chester Library. Learn what to do now for that lush, green lawn. The program is being presented by the Chesterfield County Cooperative Extension and the Chesterfield County Master Gardeners. It is free of charge.

Manakin Episcopal Church’s Lenten Program will be held

at 985 Huguenot Trail in Midlothian. Eucharist begins at 6 p.m., followed by a light supper and the program from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. For more information, call 804-794-6401 or the rector, Rev. Michael Stone, at 804-317-5083.

THURSDAY, FEB. 21 John Tyler Community College’s 18th Annual Literary Festival will feature student and faculty readings starting at 7 p.m. in room H109 in Hamel Hall on the Midlothian campus. Admission is free for all public events, and light refreshments will be served. For more information about the festival, visit www.facebook. com/johntylercc, or contact Jeff Landon at jlandon@jtcc. edu or 804-594-1473.

Four soldiers from Echo Company at Ft. Lee will be at Midlothian High School to work out with the Fit for Life class at 12:30 p.m. For more information please contact Ms. Grossnickle at 768-6156, extension 5139.

SATURDAY, FEB. 23 Story Time and Craft with the Virginia Historical Society will be presented from 11 a.m. to noon at the Midlothian Library, Meadowdale Library and Central Library, respectively. Hear “A Sweet Smell of Roses” by Angela Johnson and create a Martin Luther King Jr. hand puppet at the event, which is recommended for children aged 4 to 10. For more information, visit library. chesterfield.gov.

Unknown No Longer: A Virginia Slave Name Database will be presented from 11 a.m. to noon at the Chester Library and Midlothian Library, respectively. This genealogical tool, a project of the Virginia Historical Society, offers a glimpse into 19th century Virginia history. Learn how to find Virginia ancestors. For more information, visit library. chesterfield.gov.

Teen Studio: Feel the Beat will be presented from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Meadowdale Library, Bon Air Library and LaPrade Library, respectively.

Become immersed in West African drumming in this djembe workshop presented by the Elegba Folklore Society. Learn percussion techniques and explore cultural traditions. Participants in this program must be between the ages of 12 and 16 years old. For more information, visit library.chesterfield.gov.

Spring Lawn Care seminar begins at 10 a.m. at the Chester Library. Learn what to do now for that lush, green lawn. The program is being presented by the Chesterfield County Cooperative Extension and the Chesterfield County Master Gardeners. It is free of charge.

THURSDAY, FEB. 26 John Tyler Community College’s 18th Annual Literary Festival will feature a student speech contest starting at 1 p.m. in room B124 in Bird Hall on the Chester campus.

Admission is free for all public events, and light refreshments will be served. For more information about the f estival, visit www.facebook. com/johntylercc, or contact Jeff Landon at jlandon@jtcc. edu or 804-594-1473.

Pruning Crape Myrtles and Other Trees and Shrubs seminar begins at 6 p.m. at the LaPrade Library.

Students win art honors CONTRIBUTED REPORT

Several local students were among the 3,097 Richmond Art Region participants who submitted works for the Scholastic Art Awards competition this year.

Several former Swift Creek Middle School students were among the award winners.

Among the 186 Gold Key winners for most accomplished works were Amy Cheng and Caitlin Harris, who now attend Cosby High School.

Their work will be on display Feb. 9

through March 16 in the new MWV Art Education Center at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Ben O’Dell and Kenya Thomas, both of Cosby High School, and Deanna Hamilton of Clover Hill High School were among 206 Silver Key winners, while Cosby student Hannah Miller and Clover Hill student Tess Leftwich were among 275 students who received honorable mentions.

Information submitted by Swift Creek Middle School.

Falling Creek Ironworks Day

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Boy Scouts learn firearm and archery skills and safety.

Falling Creek Ironworks Park, site of the first iron furnace in the New World, will hold its annual Falling Creek Ironworks Day from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 16.

Learn more about the 161922 ironworks with activities for the whole family, including period demonstrations, exhibits, costumed interpretations,

Native American dancing and children’s activities.

Guides will lead tours of the archaeological ruins of both the 1619 ironworks and Archibald Cary’s Colonial grist mill.

A ground-breaking ceremony for improvements to the park will be held at noon.

Admission is free.

This event is co-sponsored by the Falling Creek Ironworks Foundation and the Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation.

For more information, call 804-751-4946, or visit fallingcreekironworks.org.

Falling Creek Ironworks Park is located at 6908 Jefferson Davis Highway.

MIDLOTHIANEXCHANGE.COM

EXERCISE

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FEBRUARY 14, 2013 || 7

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

MAX-imum reward: Chisholm wins regional championship

PHOTO BY DANIEL SANJIB MIN

Benedictine’s LG Gill, right, shoots over a Trinity Episcopal opponent during a game at Trinty Episcopal last month.

Waiting no more L.G. Gill patiently waited to make his mark on Benedictine basketball PHOTO BY KENNY MOORE

Max Chisholm of Cosby tries to maneuver for the pin against Nico Rivera of Godwin as they battle in the 106lb weight class of the Regional Finals. Chisholm defeated Rivera by 9-1 major decision, earning his first regional championship.

BY BEN ORCUTT Contributing Writer

Following graduation, Cosby High School senior Max Chisholm says he’s thinking about enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.

Based on his mental and physical toughness that were on display last weekend during the 2013 Central Region Wrestling Tournament at Manchester High School, Chisholm may have what it takes to join the ranks of the few, the proud and the brave.

Chisholm marched through the regional field in the 106-pound weight class in stellar fashion winning two of his bouts by pins, another by a technical fall – 16-0 – and the championship match against Nico Rivera of Mills Godwin by a 9-1 major decision.

“It feels great,” Chisholm said of his first regional title. “It feels so amazing.

I’ve worked hard for it, but now I have this big target on my back for states so I’ve got to get ready for states. My goal is to win but I’m trying to at least place in the top three.”

The Group AAA state meet is scheduled for tomorrow and Saturday at Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake. The top four wrestlers in each weight class from four regions qualify for the state tournament.

Even though it wasn’t close, Chisholm said the regional champion-

ship match was the most difficult for him.

“The last one was the toughest, but it wasn’t too tough,” he said. “I had never wrestled any of these kids before. They’re just another wrestler and I just try and go out there and win. I just had to get everything right and keep [Rivera] close to me, not let him separate and win.”

Born in Russia, Chisholm came to the United States after being adopted at the age of 7. He said he didn’t begin wrestling until he was in the eighth grade.

While he was delighted with Chisholm’s regional crown, Cosby head coach Mike Stefanko said it came as no shock.

“You know what, it’s not a surprise because of all the hard work that he’s done,” Stefanko said. “Now he won’t tell you this, but he had a major concussion in the springtime last year where actually he missed the last five weeks of school with a severe head injury and ended up fighting his way back and getting back in shape and coming back and winning this thing is just amazing.”

Cosby finished sixth out of 32 schools in the regional team standings with 95.5 points. Matoaca, who scored 200 points, claimed its second consecutive regional title and also

swept the individual awards with Neal Richards being named the outstanding wrestler and Michael Moore the coach of the year.

Cosby’s Tyler Powell appeared to be on track to win the regional crown in the 285-pound class pinning his first three opponents. In the championship match against Anthony Helm of Matoaca, Powell took a 1-0 lead during the second period, but was pinned by Helm at the 3:43 mark.

Following the match, Powell talked about his costly mistake.

“Well I was just trying to keep my legs away a little bit farther,” he said. “I let him catch my leg and after that it’s tough fighting off your back against a wrestler that good weighing 280 pounds.”

At 245 pounds, Powell gave up 35 pounds to Helm.

By virtue of his runner-up finish, Powell is headed to state competition where he will try to regroup.

“I’m just going to try to see what I got next and hopefully go out there and put together some wins for the state tournament,” he said.

Cosby also had two other wrestlers qualify for the state tournament – B.J. Lay, who finished third at 182 and Jordan Taylor, who captured fourth CROWN Page 8

R-MC roster is ripe with area talent Local graduates could contribute right away

BY CHARLIE LEFFLER Richmond Suburban Newspapers

Randolph-Macon baseball coach Ray Hedrick is very upbeat heading into the 2013 season, which may come as somewhat of a surprise. The Yellow Jackets lost a majority of their hitting to graduation last year including first baseman Jordan Walton; arguably one of school’s all time greatest players.

But Hedrick has reason to be optimistic. The incoming freshman class could not only turn out to be one of his most talented but they are pushing his returning players to new heights. “We have an outstanding freshman class,” Hedrick said.

“It has brought a much needed boost of energy and competition and just overall positive outlook to the program. It’s really made our program better and it’s complimented the returning players we have.”

PHOTO BY CHARLIE LEFFLER

Michael Trentham (James River) could develop into a remarkable college player.

In addition, R-MC returns eight of their top 11 players from last season.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is the Yellow Jackets return only two players that hit above .300 in last year when the team went 20-19-1. “We don’t have a whole lot statistically outside of pitchers,” Hedrick said.

Also, regardless of how talented the incoming class may be, not a single newcomer has seen his first college pitch. Therefore until live play begins this weekend, there are

more question marks than answers.

Fortunately, R-MC’s pitching rotation should provide a solid foundation to build on and give the younger players a chance to adjust to the college game.

“I think our starting pitching is going to give you what you want out of starting pitching,” Hedrick said. “We should be able to get five, six innings each out of our starters and be in the game.”

The cornerstone of this year’s Yellow Jacket rotation will be veteran right-handed

pitcher Michael Helbig. The senior out of Midlothian High School saw 11 starts in 2012 and finished with a 4-2 record. With a 3.66 ERA, Helbig was R-MC’s third leading pitcher and led the team in strikeouts with 42.

Hedrick measures pitching experience in terms of post-season play and Helbig leads the pack. “He pitched in three conference tournament games, as a freshman, sophomore and junior,” the coach said.

Furthermore, Helbig R-MC page 7

BY FRED JETER Contributing Writer

Charles “L.G.” Gill Jr. waited and waited in line for his chance to make his mark on Benedictine basketball.

When opportunity knocked, he was ready.

In his first go-round as varsity starter, the 6-7, 195-pound senior with Midlothian and Powhatan connections has taken flight as a bona fide Division I college prospect.

“First and foremost, L.G. is a great kid, and I don’t use the word ‘great’ often,” said Benedictine first-year coach Robert Churchwell.

“On the floor, he’s an allround player … he works, he listens and he applies what he learns.”

Wearing size 16 sneakers, the soft-spoken son of Charles Sr. and Wanda Gill is averaging 13.5 points and 4.8 rebounds for a 25-2 Cadets team that is ranked No. 1 in Times-Dispatch area poll.

Scoring in a variety of ways, he was made 113-for203 from the floor through 25 outings; that includes 20-of-57 beyond the arc.

He’d made 60 of 81 foul shoots with his smooth right-handed stroke.

“L.G. is an excellent faceup and 3-point shooter,” said Churchwell. “He also runs the floor hard for lay-ups.”

Despite limited exposure, Gill has mid-major offers from Kennesaw, Ga., State, Mount St. Mary’s, Central Connecticut, High Points and Radford.

More suitors could develop as the powerful Cadets near the Virginia Independent Schools tournament at Virginia State.

“I’ve waited this long; I might as well wait till the season’s over,” said Gill of his college choice.

Another possibility might be spending a year at a prep school to further spruce up his budding resume.

Gill attended Milwood School in Woodlake from kindergarten through seventh grade. He went to Bailey Bridge Middle in eighth grade, starring for the Bears.

As a ninth grader, he enrolled at Benedictine, a Catholic military school in west Richmond with a storied hoops program boasting 32 state titles in Catholic and VIS tournaments.

With so many talented athletes in the program, success came in small increments for Gill.

He was relegated to JV’s as freshman and sophomore.

Last year he backed up AllState Jordan Burgess, now on VCU scholarship.

“I learned a lot from Jordan,” said Gill.

“I especially learned how to get off screens and get open … and I learned from Jordan to push yourself every day in practice.”

Gill’s father, Charles Sr.

stands 6-6 himself and is a graduate of pre-integration Maggie L. Walker High, arguably the best hoops program in Richmond annals.

Charles Gill Sr., who won a sizeable chunk of lottery money in 1993, is also former owner of the Richmond Rhythm of the International Basketball League in 2001.

The Rhythm, who played at Richmond Coliseum, was coached by former University of Virginia 7-foot-4 AllAmerica Ralph Sampson.

“I was just a little kid and I remember sitting behind the bench and thinking what a giant he was,” recalled L.G. Gill of Sampson.

L.G. Gill grew up in Midlothian. The family moved to Powhatan last year.

An older sister, Tionna, played basketball at Trinity Episcopal and is now a VCU student.

Charles Gill Jr. was just a baby when he got the tag “L.G.,” short for “Little Gill.”

Nowadays, “Long Gill” would be more fitting.

HOOPS NOTEBOOK: Benedictine’s senior tri-captains all hail from Midlothian-area schools.

Nick Coppola and Nick Gorski transferred from Cosby High; L.G. Gill attended Milwood School and Bailey Bridge Middle.

Also, promising 6-6 sophomore Andre Wright is from Midlothian. On the sidelines, assistant coach Ryan Marable is a Midlothian native.

Marable played at Huguenot Academy and Longwood University and coached at Manchester and Tomahawk Creek Middle schools.

Matt Gorski’s basketball career at University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) has ended before it really began.

The former Cosby High, All-Dominion center has been dismissed from the Horizon League team by coach Howard Moore.

“We’re sad to announce that Matt will no longer be a member of our program,” Moore said.

“It is a privilege to represent our university and athletic department. With that privilege comes expectations, both on and off the court.

“Unfortunately Matt violated team rules that have led to his dismissal … we wish him all the best in the future.”

The 7-foot, 244 pound Gorski never played for the Flames. He was recovering from a stress fracture in his right foot that he sustained during pre-season drills.

Gorski played for Cosby through his junior year and was enjoying a strong season in 2011 when he left the school. He finished the 2011 season at Princeton Day Academy in Maryland and played last season in the post-graduate program at Fishburne Military in Waynesboro.

8 || FEBRUARY 14, 2013

EXERCISE

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MIDLOTHIANEXCHANGE.COM

NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

Fisher commits to Virginia Tech Fisher said.

Fisher said that he Last Wednesday high continues to rehab from an school athletes across the ankle injury that limcountry grabbed pens and ited him to just five games put their signatures to a during his senior season.

National Letter of Intent to Neither Fisher nor the play at the college level.

Virginia Tech coaching staff Chesterfield was no expect the ankle injury to exception, as dozens of ath- be an issue. letes in football, cross counFisher was among the try, soccer and field hockey area’s most recruited playmade their decisions. ers. After committing to Holland Fisher was one Virginia Tech in early 2012, of 24 local athletes to sign. he was offered a scholarSuspended from school, ship by Ohio State and Fisher, a Manchester Alabama. Ultimately, he linebacker, held his signing stuck with his decision to ceremony at home surbecome a Hokie. rounded by family and a Virginia Tech coach few members of the media Frank Beamer didn’t seem It also was the final day troubled by Fisher’s recent of his 10-day suspension, suspension. which was given, according “Holland’s got to learn to Fisher, after he got in an from the situation, and I argument with a teacher. think he has,” Beamer said.

Although he still could have “I think it’s been resolved.” held his signing ceremony Cosby High School had at Manchester, he chose to the area’s largest ceremostay at home. nies, with eight players “I wanted to have it at signing on the dotted line. home with my family,” Blaine Fink signed with

BY BRUCE WELLS Sports Editor

Virginia Tech, Tessa Broadwater with West Virginia, Jayden Metzger and Gina D’Orazio with Longwood, Emma Manis with VMI, Rachel Block with Oregon, Emily Mead with Radford and Regan Spencer with Syracuse.

In addition to Fisher, five other Manchester athletes made commitments. Cody Wilburn signed with Fairmont State, Morgan Harris, and Miranda Carlson with Radford, Christian Rogers with UVA, and David Thompson will walk on at Norfolk State.

Midlothian High School had four athletes commit, led by Taylor Stout who signed to play football at VMI. James River High School also had four athletes commit including Tyler Shirley (football ) Air Force.

Monacan’s Connor Wingo-Reeves (UVA) and Marshall Ellick (Air Force) also committed.

PHOTO BY ZACK GIBSON

Cosby’s Troy Caupain (center) goes airborne for the layup against James River.

Caupain finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds, helping the Titans beat the Rapids last week. The loss prevented James River from clinching the Dominion District title.

R-MC from Page 7 could close out his career as one of the Yellow Jackets’ best players on the mound.

“A good solid season this year and he could potentially have the all-time record for wins in program history, which would be a nice little feather in his cap,” Hedrick said.

Like Helbig, junior Matt Fischgrund and sophomore Jake Bram both saw important action in last year’s ODAC tournament.

Bram had a 4.15 ERA in nine starts during 2012 and finished with a 3-3 record.

He was fourth on the team in strikeouts with 26.

It will be a group of freshman fighting to make the back end of the rotation, among those Christian Sanderson, Austin Bain and Daniel Byrd out of Cosby. “Those three guys are right now battling it out for the fourth spot of the fifth spot,” Hedrick said.

The ones that do not earn a starting slot will fill in the role of long relievers.

The remainder of the bullpen will also be a mix of youth and experience.

Sophomore Brandon Beiler, who was R-MC left hand specialist last season, made 15 appearances and finished with the second best ERA on the team at 3.38. Beiler missed the fall season due to a knee injury but has been throwing well of late. Also back are sophomores Glen McLaughlin, James Overbeek, J.T. Williamson, Sid Harvey and Ryan Burrows.

Hedrick also likes what he’s seen out of freshmen right-hander Tanner Phillips (Powhatan). “He’s going to have to have pin-

point control,” the coach said. “He’s a fastball/slider guy. He’s a very deceiving guy.”

Freshman Chris Tiller (Monacan) could also be a late inning contributor this season.

When it comes to offense, senior outfielder Jeb Weymouth is the lone returning starter that proved consistent at the plate, batting .303 last season.

Colossal 6-3, 245 junior Jon Witt (Trinity Episcopal) saw action in 29 games as a designated hitter.

Weymouth and Witt were second on the team with four home runs each and posted slugging percentages of .492 and .442 respectively.

Hedrick needs the Yellow Jackets’ offense to step up in 2013. Despite getting 20 wins, R-MC was outscored 247-231 and stranded 374 runners over the course of last season. Therefore the coach may look to talented newcomers to provide that boost, which always brings question marks.

“I think as the season unfolds a little bit…there’s some guys we are going to count on in key positions that haven’t played college baseball,” Hedrick said.

Two players that Hedrick can’t wait to see make their college debuts are second baseman Bryan Miltenberger (Cosby) and outfielder Michael Trentham (James River).

Trentham is making the transition back to his natural position in the outfield after filling in as catcher for the Rapids last season.

Hedrick believes if applied properly, Trentham’s strength and ability could

allow him to develop into a remarkable college player.

“He’s got the potential to have a breakthrough career at Randolph-Macon,” the coach said. “If he works hard and is coachable, as I expect him to be, he could be one of those guys that we’re talking about 10 years from now, like, ‘Boy, remember when Trentham played there?’ He’s got a very high ceiling.”

Hedrick places Miltenberger in the same category.

“I think he was a real find for us,” the coach said. “I think as the year goes on, I think he is really going to be a key contributor for our program.”

Miltenberger could also develop into the rare exception of a second baseman who is also a middle of the lineup power hitter. “He’s got some real quick hands and some power from the right side.”

Freshman outfielder Nick Williamson (Monacan) has also impressed the coaching staff with his ability. “Athletic, can run like crazy,” Hedrick said. “If we can get him to buy into drag bunting, push bunting, doing the little things like that, I think he could be a legitimate option in our outfield because he runs so well and possesses such strong defensive abilities.”

Hedrick believes the team will have their sights set on regional and national levels over the course of the next few years.

“I’m excited about this team,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen four months from now, but I like this team.”

PHOTO BY BRUCE WELLS

Monacan’s Connor Wingo-Reeves (seated left) and Marshall Ellick (seated right) pose with the Monacan coaching staff. Wingo-Reeves will attend the University of Virginia, Ellick will attend the United States Air Force Academy.

PHOTO BY JIM HASKINS

Among the area’s most recruited players, Manchester’s Holland Fisher committed to Virginia Tech in early 2012. He was offered a scholarship by Ohio State and Alabama but ultimately stuck with his decision to become a Hokie.

GRAPPLER from page 7 place at 195.

While he had hoped the Titans would finish higher in the team standings, Stefanko said overall he was pleased with his wrestlers’ efforts.

“I would have liked to have won more in the consolations,” he said. “I thought we could have had more kids place fifth, sixth, but I thought the four that are qualified for the state, those are the four that we were counting on that could do big damage in the tournament and they came through.”

Midlothian finished eighth in the team standings with 78 points.

“We are sending three to the state tournament,” said Trojan head coach Jimmy Cox. “The kids that we are taking to the state have worked very hard. They’re great wrestlers. They have great records. Their work ethic is a reflection of their going.”

Wrestling in the 138pound division, Jerry Ronnau was the highest finisher for the Trojans after falling 6-4 to Matoaca’s Richards in the championship bout. The defending state champion in the 120-pound class, Richards took a 6-1 lead into the third period, but Ronnau mounted a comeback and came close to pulling of a last-second win as he did in his semifinal match against Corbin Allen of Hanover.

Down 1-0 with 14 seconds left in the match, Ronnau got a reversal against Allen and held on for dear life for the 2-1 win.

“It was an incredible feeling,” Ronnau said. “I think that was probably my favorite match I’ve ever wrestled.”

Ronnau said he was just hoping he could “squeeze one point out” and force overtime.

“Really I was in desperation,” he said. “I backed in to him and he [spun] over my head and I just happened to catch it.”

An Eagle Scout who sports a 3.9 grade point average, Ronnau was one of four regional wrestlers to receive a Ray Long Sr. Scholarship, which is awarded by the Central Virginia Wrestling Officials Association.

Ronnau’s plan is to attend Virginia Tech in the fall as a walk-on for the Hokies’ wrestling team. In the meantime, he said he’s looking forward to this weekend’s state tournament.

“Every time I wrestle [Richards], I’m definitely closing the gap,” Ronnau said.

“This is the closest I’ve ever been to beating him. If I ever see him again I know I can beat him. I feel pretty good going into this tournament.”

Cox said he and Ronnau knew that Richards would be a formidable opponent.

“We knew that this was the toughest weight class, but this is where he wanted to be,” Cox said of Ronnau. “That

was what he wanted and this is the best place for him to be going into the state championship.

Also headed to state competition for the Trojans are Trent Parker, who finished third in the region at 195 and Kyle Clark, who was fourth at 220.

Recognized for the way their wrestlers handled themselves throughout the season, Midlothian received the Steve Bower Sportsmanship Award, which is presented by the Central Virginia Wrestling Officials Association. This year marked the fifth time the Trojans have taken the trophy home.

“What we do is we put the responsibility on ourselves,” Cox said. “We want to see the kids work hard. We want to see them avoid some of the calls or score points that we don’t have to worry about officials making bad calls.

It’s not the official’s fault. We want to take full responsibility for wrestling and what we’re doing out there.

“It’s also a credit to our kids because we do have really good kids at Midlothian High School. They’re cool under pressure and we as coaches try to set the example for them to do that.”

The Trojans are tough, but nice, Ronnau said.

“I feel like of all the teams out there, we’re definitely the nicest, which I guess has its advantages and disadvantages,” he said. “But that’s

COURTESY OF MIDLOTHIAN HIGH SCHOOL

Midlothian’s Taylor Stout (center) will attend Virginia Military Institute.

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FEBRUARY 14, 2013 || 9

National Signing Day 2013

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

PHOTO BY JIM HASKINS

Cosby’s top row: Blayne Fink (Virginia Tech), Tessa Broadwater (West Virginia), Rachael Block (Oregon), Emily Mead (Radford), bottom row: Jayden Metzger (Longwood), Gina D’Orazio (Longwood), Emma Manis (VMI), Regan Spencer (Syracuse).

Manchester’s Morgan Harris (left) will continue her track & field career at Radford University. Christian Rogers (right) will take his track and field talents to the University of Virginia.

Last Wednesday was national signing day for many sports, and athletes across Chesterfield took the opportunity to finalized their college commitments. Here are some of the signees:

PHOTO BY JIM HASKINS

From left, James River’s Cameron Watkins (Radford), Alyson Brown (North Carolina State), Ellen “Ellie” Taylor (Coastal Carolina), Tyler Shirley (United States Air Force Academy).

Cosby: Blaine Fink, Soccer, Virginia Tech.

Cosby: Tessa Broadwater, Soccer, West Virginia Cosby,: Jayden Metzger, Soccer, Longwood University Cosby: Gina D’Orazio, Soccer, Longwood University Cosby: Emma Manis, Soccer, VMI Cosby: Rachel Block, Cheerleading, Oregon Cosby: Emily Mead, Field Hockey, Radford University Cosby: Regan Spencer, Field Hockey, Syracuse James River: Tyler Shirley, Football, Air Force Academy James River: Cameron Watkins, Field Kockey, Radford James River: Alyson Brown, Soccer, N.C. State James River: Ellen Taylor, Soccer, Coastal Carolina Manchester: Holland Fisher, Football, Virginia Tech Manchester: Cody Wilburn, Football, Fairmont State Manchester: David Thompson, Football, Norfolk State Manchester: Morgan Harris, Track, Radford University Manchester: Christian Rogers, Track, University of VA. Manchester: Miranda Carlson, Soccer, Radford Midlothian: Taylor Stout, Football, VMI Midlothian: Sean Willard, Track, Mississippi Midlothian: Tessa Riley, Track, Wake Forest Midlothian: Kara Dickerson, Track, University of VA. Monacan: Connor Wingo-Reeves, Football, UVA Monacan: Marshall Ellick, Football, Air Force Academy

PHOTO BY JIM HASKINS

Midlothian High School held a special signing day on Feb. 7 for three of their cross country/ track athletes. Kara Dickerson (University of Virginia), Sean Willard (University of Mississippi, “Ole Miss”) and Tessa Riley (Wake Forest).

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Manchester’s Cody Wilburn will continue his football career at Fairmont State.

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TW0 PLOTS - WEST HAMPTON MEMORIAL PARK $1,000. Below cost. Prime Location. $6,900. for both. Call 594-0782

Recruitment ADVERTISE

Abandoned Junk Cars Wanted Pay $300 up to $1,000. Cash on the spot. No title needed. Same day pickup, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free towing. Lic. salvage dealer & vehicle remover. 804-247-5263 Advertise with Midlothian Exchange Call (804) 598-4305 to hear about Midlothian Exchange’s upcoming advertising opportunities!

Advertise with Midlothian Exchange Call (804) 598-4305 to hear about Midlothian Exchange’s upcoming advertising opportunities!

TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS Hygiene Service/ Driver - Valid driver’s license w/excellent driving Record; professional appearance; Customer Service skills; pass both drug & background checks; Dependable, honest, & trustworthy. Does this describe you! Fax resume to: 804-368-0956 or mail to: New Hire, PO Box 358, Hanover, Va. 23069

TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS Drivers: Home Weekends!

Pay up to $.40/mi.

Chromed out Trucks with APU’s.

70% Drop & Hook. CDL-A 6mos. Exp. 877-705-9261 Apply: SmithDrivers.com Food Lion Job Fair! Hiring for Perishable/Grocery Selector Saturday, Feb 23rd 9am-12p. Great Pay & Benefits! Come visit an Employment Kiosk: Food Lion DC: 6500 Enterprise Driver, Disputanta, VA 23842 or apply online: www.foodlion.com/employ ment EOE and Drug Free Environment

GENERAL EMPLOYMENT House Cleaning - 8:00am-5pm. No weekends or evenings. Days are flexible. Must have good people skills, take pride in your work, be reliable, trustworthy & have own vehicle. Salary $8+/hour + vacation & personal time. Background check & drug testing is required. SET Cleaning Services 598-1005 or www.setcleaning.com for application.

Advertise with Midlothian Exchange Call (804) 598-4305 for display advertising details!

10 || FEBRUARY 14, 2013

MIDLOTHIANEXCHANGE.COM

$149

OFF *

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Thisistheyear wereduceour mortgagepayment.

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Make an appointment today at

24 Locations in Virginia, Maryland and Georgia Call 1-800-443-5524 for the location nearest you.

EssexBank.com Offer of credit is subject to credit approval. Property and flood insurance may be required.

Certain limitations apply. Please see an Essex Bank representative for details.

All Makes All Models All Brands

*Limit one per customer. Offer limited to new customers only. Offer applies to a full purchase program at participating Centers only. Offer expires 03/31/13. Consult your health care provider before beginning a weight–loss program.

SM

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY Sales • Service • Installation • Water Heaters • Attic Fans

MedifastCenters.com

Here for You Before, During, and Beyond

CALL 746-1235 X3 OR EMAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@MECHLOCAL.COM TO PROMOTE YOUR SERVICES IN THIS DIRECTORY.

Roofing

Your 1 stop shop for all Restoration

Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

2421 New Dorset Terrace

598-7260

Call Tom Tye at

784-7027

www.tyesantiques.com

No job too small - all types of roofing

Financing Available Free Estimates Senior Discount

Email Tom at luvitold@verizon.net

We Accept

To Promote Your Business, Call 2902047-01

804-746-1235 x3

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