112715 colonial voice

SENIOR MOMENTS OF JOY INSIDE, V4

THE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF THE COLONIAL HEIGHTS AREA

‘DRIFTY’ RETURNS TO MILL INSIDE, V5

Friday, November 27, 2015

FREE

LOCAL

COLONIALS BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Tree Lighting COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The City's Recreation and Parks Department will host its second annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, Nov. 28 at the Colonial Heights Courthouse, 550 Boulevard. The event will run from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with Santa's Workshop at 5; entertainment at 6; followed by the tree lighting at 6:30.

There is no cost to attend the tree lighting. For Santa's Workshop, the cost is $5 and pre-registration is required. The workshop portion of the event includes photos with Santa, cookies, hot cocoa or coffee.

For more information about this event, call 804-520-9390.

Christmas Parade COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The City's annual Christmas Parade will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, on the Boulevard. Originated in 1953 by the Colonial Heights Optimist Club, this year's theme is "Christmas on the Boulevard.

Dunlop House tree lighting COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Dunlop House Assisted Living facility will host its annual holiday tree lighting event on Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the facility, 235 Dunlop Farms Boulevard.

The community is invited to join staff and residents in the facility's solarium. Refreshments will be served and entertainment will be provided by the Chesterfield Choral Society.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Gina Wiles at 804-520-0050.

Dunlop House program COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Dunlop House Assisted Living & Memory Care will host another Survival Skills for Healthy Aging, an educational series for seniors, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Dunlop House, 235 Dunlop Farms Boulevard.

The December topic is "Downsizing and Decluttering Tips."

The program will be presented

by Joann Crowell-Redd of SFS Estates.

RSVP is requested by Dec. 4.

Call 804-520-0050 to RSVP or for more information about the event.

CCPL welcomes lead singer of Lamb of God CHESTERFIELD — Chesterfield County Public Library will host writer D. Randall Blythe, more popularly known as the lead singer of the rock band Lamb of God. The lyricist will talk about his recently published memoir as part of the library’s author visit series.

The memoir called "Dark Days", documents Blythe’s recent experience in a nineteenth century prison in the Czech Republic after being arrested for manslaughter. He was incarcerated for over a month in a cell with individuals who spoke little English.

Blythe will share his journey — from arrest to acquittal — at the Meadowdale Library, 4301 Meadowdale Blvd, North Chesterfield, on Friday, Dec. 11, 7-8:30 p.m. A book signing will follow the program.

Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 804-751-CCPL or visit library. chesterfield.gov.

The student section cheers on as the Colonial Heights boys volleyball team wins the state championship against Midlothian High School at the Siegel Center in Richmond on Friday. PHOTOTS BY SCOTT P. YATES/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO

STATE CHAMPIONS Team effort leads to 2015 4A title

By Nicholas Vandeloecht Staff Writer

ICHMOND — With lightning kills, crucial blocks, reaching saves and a firedup Colonials crowd cheering them on, the Colonial Heights Boys Volleyball team powered out to a 3-1 victory over Midlothian to win the VHSL 4A state championship.

R

There were airborne spikes and dinks aplenty from Noah Murdock, but Colonials head coach Mark Lee called their win a team effort.

Stuart Crinkley brought the blocks, kills and fiery energy. Tyler Gingrich was there to set the ball for the killing shot. Cameron Cox reached out and saved many-a-ball from hitting the floor, keeping the drive alive long enough for his team to knock over the point. Dante Jennings dug hard on defense, getting the third most digs for the Colonials behind Murdock and Crinkley. Brandon Smith, along with

INDEX Opinion ..............V2 Classifieds .........V6

Things to do.......V3

Vol. 13, No. 12

SEE CHAMPIONS, V3

The Colonial Heights boys volleyball team wins the state championship against Midlothian High School.

Colonials head coach Mark Lee with The student section cheers on as the a smile points to the fans who came Colonial Heights boys volleyball team to cheer them on during their state wins the state championship. title game.

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Friday, Nov. 27, 2015 | The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va.

OPINION

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ANOTHER VIEW

15 Franklin St., Petersburg, VA 23803

Brian J. Couturier ........... Managing Editor Bob Seals .................... Circulation Director Jamila Khalil .............. Advertising Director Travis Wolfrey ............Operations Manager Ron Shifflett ..............Pressroom Manager Peggy Simon................. Business Manager

OUR VIEW

A historic landmark celebrated

T

he most notable occupant of the Violet Bank house occupied the building during the violent ending chapters of the Civil War. Gen. Robert E. Lee, commander of Confederate Army of Northern Virginia used the house as is headquarters. From June to November in 1864,Lee used the house for five months during the Siege of Petersburg.

Harvie Christie, director of programming for the Violet Bank Museum, said the house was the ideal spot for Lee because of its clear view of Petersburg from the hillside. “He had a wide open view right into downtown Petersburg,” he said. “Location is key.”

Last month, the city of Colonial Heights celebrated the 200th anniversary of one of the most historical structures in the region.

The Violet Bank house located on Royal Oak Avenue in Colonial Heights has served many purposes over the centuries — from army headquarters to boarding soldiers at Fort Lee to housing local government offices.

For the house’s 200th anniversary, the city decided to throw a celebration that incorporated the many uses of the property.

“Violet Bank is a good local attraction, a well-preserved place,” said Ray Langston, a volunteer historical interpreter. “The house has such great history.”

The original house was built in 1778 by the wealthy Thomas Shore, who owned most of the land that is modern day Colonial Heights.

The house was once used by Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, a famous French general, during the Battle of Petersburg of the American Revolutionary War in 1781.

The house caught on fire in 1810 and was rebuilt by 1815.

After the Civil War, the house passed hands to two different private owners until 1905 when the property was purchased by the Greater Petersburg Realty Association. They turned the main house into a cattle barn, which was eventually torn down a decade later.

What’s left was then sold to Alice Pierpont who rented the rooms to soldiers at Fort Lee. She also held many community events at the house such as fairs, festivals and petting zoos.

The property changed hands again in 1948 when it was sold to American Legion Post 284 and served as its headquarters for 11 years. In 1959, the City of Colonial Heights acquired the property and used it as the city’s first Chamber of Commerce building and then housed the city’s first public library.

Over the years it was home to several other early government offices.

The house became a full-time museum in 1994. The museum interprets the time period from 1815 to 1873, with many Civil War artifacts.

Violet Bank has been used for many purposes over the years, but now it is what it should be a. A museum that highlights one of the more interesting and historic structures in the region.

INSPIRATION And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer’; but you have made it a den of robbers.” And he was teaching daily in the temple.

Luke 19:45-47

YOUR VIEW

A personal reflection on Paris Friday night brought back vivid memories of 9/11.

I closed my eyes and saw the T.V. screen flashing with images now seared into our national memory. I remembered the horror and shock of struggling to grasp the reality of what was happening before our eyes.

When news broke of terrorist attacks in Paris, an echo of that same adrenaline snapped in our veins. Our throats tightened as we watched the headlines churning out of France, confronted with the horror of yet another act of brutal terror, begging the question, Where next?

Will it be here?

When clocks read 10 p.m. in France on Friday, approximately 100 people lay dead. Others lay in pools of blood –strangers’ and their own -- frozen with fear, envisioning the faces of loved ones they might never see again, as they waited for the circling gunmen to depart.

Streets were in chaos. Strangers held one another, crying. Cell phones were passed around as people frantically tried to contact family members, forcing shaky fingers to send that text and ask the feared questions, “Where are you? Are you ok?”

Waking up the next morning, the count had risen to more than 300 wounded and over 120 who lost their lives in Paris that night. Include the victims in recent terrorist attacks in Ankara, Beirut, Baghdad, Kenya, and elsewhere, and that count skyrockets.

In the aftermath, our televisions and Facebook newsfeeds are flooded with stories of strangers turned heroes. We read about the man who put his body between a 22-year-old girl, whom he had never seen before, and the gunmen at the Bataclan theater. Our ears echo with the sound of hundreds of voices singing the French national anthem as they filed out of the stadium where smoke was still settling from the explosion of two suicide bombers. Our hearts stiffen against the walls of our chest in anger that these innocent lives were taken. We watched as the world came together, but also wonder, with pricks of fear, what will happen next – and where.

Flags are lowered. Monuments and other buildings across the globe are lit up in red, white, and blue. We grip loved ones a little closer. We worry about the future for our children and grandchildren. We pray.

Friday’s horrific acts of terror serve as a searing reminder not only of the evil that is in the world, but also that the threat posed by radical Islamic terrorism is not a distant danger. As a member of Congress serving on both the House Armed Services Committee and the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, I have received the classified briefings. I have warned of the growing threat posed by the Islamic State. My highest priority is providing for the common defense, strengthening our national security, and protecting America.

Those were not random acts of terror in the streets of Paris. They were the latest developments in the Islamic State’s concerted assault on Western civilization, and on the principles of democracy and freedom. We must stare evil directly in the eyes. Pretending this is anything

other than globally ambitious Islamist extremism will do nothing to prevent further atrocities or protect the U.S. and our allies.

Rather, we must be equipping our military, intelligence services, and law enforcement with the resources necessary to protect national security. We must secure our borders, and make sure terrorists and those who would do us harm are prevented from entering this country. We must make the safety of U.S. citizens our number one priority. We must confront the fact that trying to contain this threat is not enough -- only a concerted strategy to dismantle and utterly destroy ISIS will ensure our national security.

America stands with France. We must stand ready.

Congressman Randy Forbes R-4th District Chesapeake, Virginia

It’s time to hit the brakes on a new nuclear reactor for Virginia Virginia consumers who are bracing right now for the hefty bills associated with another winter heating season need to know that it could be worse. In fact, it could be much worse. Under an ill-conceived plan now being advanced by Dominion Resources for a third nuclear reactor at its North Anna facility, Virginia consumers could see their electricity bills go up 25 percent That’s what’s likely after Virginia lawmakers passed reregulation legislation in 2007 and last year reiterated that Dominion Resources has the right to bill in advance for the construction of a new reactor – in this case the North Anna 3 nuclear reactor that the Attorney General’s experts have estimated could cost an astonishing $19+ billion.

The projected cost for the North Anna 3 nuclear reactor project makes it the biggest single threat posed today against the pocketbooks of Virginia consumers.

This has the potential to make the huge consumer backlash of a few years ago against Virginia’s infamous car tax seem like a mild disagreement. Just how huge a sum is $19 billion? It is more than what the state of Virginia collected in taxes annually.

The ever-escalating cost of this new reactor project and the fact that it is at least twice as expensive as safer and cleaner alternatives, including energy efficiency and renewable energy resources, makes this a situation that cries out for responsible action. Ratepayers in this state already have been soaked for half a billion for the “development” of this new North Anna 3. State officials need to speak up now and call a halt to this monumental waste.

Consumers should applaud Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring’s Division of Consumer Counsel for having the courage to challenge those who are trying to ram North Anna 3 through with no regard for its impact on consumers.

The Virginia Citizens Consumer Council agrees that, since this project is so unacceptably expensive and since it is still unclear whether it will ever be built, the state must insist that ratepayers immediately stop paying for it.

Why is abandonment at ratepayer expense a concern here?

This is not the first time ratepayers have paid for this project. They paid company costs after building was stopped

when the last nuclear building spree was interrupted, even though the law at that time did not require ratepayers to pay for new infrastructure before it was put into use. Current projections make North Anna 3 by far the most expensive nuclear reactor ever proposed in the U.S. – and possibly in the world. It would cost approximately $10 billion more than cheaper alternatives, including renewable energy and increased energy efficiency.

The construction of North Anna 3 would dramatically, and unnecessarily, increase consumer electric bills by about 25 percent for Dominion ratepayers.

While this would be a boon for Dominion’s bottom line, state officials must not allow this stripping of consumer pocketbooks to happen.

It’s not like Virginia is short on nuclear power. We already have four reactors in the state. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, nuclear contributes about 38 percent of total electricity generation in our state; that’s twice the 19 percent portion of all U.S. electricity generation that nuclear provides.

If fuel diversity is the concern, Virginia would be far better off catching up with other states by developing more renewable energy resources and better supporting energy efficiency. Bloomberg data show that Virginia lags far behind many other states in terms of wind and solar development, with no utility-scale renewable energy projects currently in place and minimal consumer owned solar.

What about the notion that more nuclear will put the state in a better position on the climate?

The bottom line is that North Anna 3 is not needed to meet the targets in the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. It would create “excess” reductions in carbon, which, because of the very high cost of the resulting nuclear power, would have no value in the marketplace.

There is no mistaking the facts here: The proposed North Anna 3 nuclear reactor is prohibitively expensive. It will continue to redirect money that should be used to develop high-tech, clean energy in Virginia. It will not help our state meet its obligation to reduce carbon pollution.

There is simply no good reason for the state of Virginia to allow this attack on the pocketbooks of Virginia residents to advance.

Irene Leech President Virginia Citizens Consumer Council Richmond

Do we think ISIS is contained now?

President Obama recently stated that ISIS is contained. Really? If so, how does he defend this statement after the ISIS coordinated attack on Paris that resulted in hundreds of innocent people killed and/or wounded? When will our president call these Islamic terrorists who they are?

Hasn’t ISIS declared war on the free world from the get-go? We have our brave Military in the Middle-East getting killed every day, and Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine doesn’t believe that this isn’t war?

How does this administration define War? Total annihilation?

Gary Allen Chesterfield County

5 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND HOW TO SUBMIT: Send event and contact info to newsroom@ progress-index.com or The Progress-Index, 15 Franklin St., Petersburg, VA 23803

1. Tree Lighting in the Heights The Colonial Heights Recreation and Parks Department will host its second annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday at the Colonial Heights Courthouse, 550 Boulevard. The event will run from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with Santa’s Workshop at 5; entertainment at 6; followed by the tree lighting at 6:30. There is no cost to attend the tree lighting.

For Santa’s Workshop, the cost is $5 and pre-registration is required. The workshop portion of the event includes photos with Santa, cookies, hot cocoa or coffee. For more information, call 804-520-9390.

2. Model railroad layout To help celebrate the holidays, the Old Dominion Chapter Modelers are opening their HO model railroad layout in Richmond on Fridays in addition to Saturdays and Sundays for five weekends.

The festivities start on Friday, Nov. 27.

Trains will be running on the model layout from 5-8 p.m. (The entire museum will be open from 1-8 p.m. this day only.) The Richmond Railroad Museum is operated by the Old Dominion Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society Inc.

3. Light Show and Santa’s Village Road trip. The Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village will feature numerous special events during its six-week run at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell. The event opened Nov. 21 and runs through Jan. 2, 2016. Hours of operation are 5:30 to 10 p.m. nightly, including holidays. For more information and to buy discounted tickets, visit IlluminateLightShow. com. Discounted tickets also will be sold at 32 Walgreens locations in Central Virginia.

4. ‘Plaid Tidings’ at the Mill “Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings” by Stuart Ross is currently playing at Swift Creek Mill Theatre, 17401 Jefferson Davis Highway, Colonial Heights. Shows are held Thursday through Saturdays at 8 p.m. nightly with some matinees.

Tickets are available for the show only or a buffet meal and show.

Call 804-748-5203 for reservations or visit www.swiftcreekmill. com for online ticketing.

5. Blackstone Open House Road trip. On the Friday after Thanksgiving, Blackstone, will hold its Eighth Annual Downtown Holiday Open House which follows the community’s traditional Grand Illumination in Seay Park. The unique Bevell’s Hardware Holiday Train Display will be running and both of the town’s museums Schwartz Tavern and the Robert Thomas Carriage Museum will be welcoming visitors. All events are open to the public and free of charge. For more information, visit www.downtownblackstone.org or call 434-292-3041.

The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va. | Friday, Nov. 27, 2015

CHAMPIONS From Page V1

Crinkley, held the net on points-getting blocks and attacks.

“Noah Bryant, Noah Sears had a great game,” Lee said. “[Mikey Livesay] came in off the bench and picked us up in the second set when we were definitely out. That type of comeback in the second set kept us going in the third and fourth set.

“The guys on the bench were into it, they kept us going. They kept the enthusiasm up,” Lee added.

Crinkley, who has brought the emotion and enthusiasm week in and week out, said they came out hyped on Friday.

“We knew what we had to get done. It was a business trip for us,” Crinkley said.

“We got business done.”

Driven from Set 1 to Set 4 Players including Smith and Crinkley kept the ball alive for Murdock to fly up and hammer the ball down onto the other side of the net. Bryant also lasered in the ball for a kill in the first set as the Colonials went up 24-20.

Murdock batted down the ball for the set point.

In the second set, the Colonials fell behind at 18-12, but roared back with blocking power and kills from players including Murdock and Livesay to tie it up at 24.

Midlothian, however, tallied up two more points to win the second set 26-24 and tie the match at 1-1.

The Colonials bounced back in the third, rocketing out to a 16-9 advantage with Crinkley and Smith locking down the net, Bryant defending for the score and Murdock misdirecting their opponents on the dink. The Trojans brought them within their sights at 19-17, but Colonial Heights jumped away and took off for the 25-19 third-set win.

“We just kept working, we just kept playing, we kept our heads in the game,” Lee said. “We realized, the second set, we made several unforced errors that really put us in a hole.

“Like I just tell them, you’ve got to keep your head in the game,” Lee added.

“You’ve got a job to do - do it.”

And they did it, their focus visible during the action as well as between the plays.

“We don’t need to be spectacular, we don’t need to be super, we don’t need to be special,” Lee said. “We just need to do what needs to be done.”

In the early and middle stretches of the fourth set, the Colonials trailed the Trojans, who at one point jumped out to an 11-5 advantage.

But the Colonials were not strangers to that kind of deficit.

“We did that every single game we played them,” Lee said. “Except for the third game, every game we’re down four or five points, and then we come back ... [our players] know just to keep working.”

The Colonials caught back up with the Trojans, Crinkley’s attack capping off a monster drive by both teams to draw his team within one point at 19-18.

The game tied up at 19, and then Midlothian hit out a Crinkley serve.

And then, in one of the most driven back-and-forth moments of the match, Crinkley, Murdock, Bryant, Cox, Jennings and others kept the ball up in the air long enough for Bryant to swat it down for the Colonials point. Midlothian would pull within one at 22-21, but from there, the Colonials pulled away to get the win for both the set and the match.

Colonial Heights played Midlothian, the 2014 state champions, four times this year.

Friday’s state championship game marked their

V3

third 2015 win over the Trojans.

“Three times out of four, that’s a good number,” Murdock said. “They’re a good team, one of our rivals, so I’m glad we got to beat them in states.”

Attacking force Murdock may have been the main focus point out on the court, but he wasn’t the only one scoring with his teammates picking up several big points and saves.

“It really goes to show, when you mix it up, you can still have other people get points,” Murdock said.

“It really goes around. Big team effort. That’s how we win games.”

Returning for the big games One of their key players this season has been Tyler Gingrich, a powerhouse in assists who missed a chunk of matches due to injury. For Gingrich, it had been the best season - as well as the worst - of his life. He went from thinking he would be out for eight weeks in a cast with a broken bone in his foot to playing in a state championship. He said he was very lucky that it turned out he had a severe ankle sprain and only missed five weeks, giving him an entire week to practice before the regional semifinal game the start of their playoffs.

With Gingrich back, Colonial Heights went undefeated in postseason play.

“I don’t know how really it feels to end with them, because it doesn’t feel like it’s ended,” Gingrich said.

“It feels like we’re going to keep playing and keep being successful. But it’s been an amazing ride and I love these guys.”

Dante Jennings said they knew they had a chance coming into the season of going all the way. But after Gingrich went down and they picked up a decent amount of losses because their schedule was much harder this year compared to last, things weren’t looking good.

“After getting Tyler back and having to rework our lineup, we really played hard each night and came out on top,” Jennings said. “It’s been great playing with these guys and it’s sad to see it come to an end.”

Stuart Crinkley gestures after a good play as the Colonial Heights boys volleyball team wins the state championship. PHOTOS BY SCOTT P. YATES/PROGRESS-INDEX

Noah Murdock goes up for a hit against Midlothian during the Colonial Heights boys volleyball team’s state champtionship.

The Colonials’ Brandon Smith (8), right, goes up for a block against a Midlothian player during the Colonial Heights boys volleyball team’s win.

From the players to the fans Gingrich noted of the team play that led to Friday’s victory: “We had one guy struggle, we brought in one guy from the bench and he did fantastic. We put the other guy who struggled back in and he did great again.

“We’ve got a bunch of great players and we all played well,” Gingrich said.

Crinkley said that the fans were a big part of their big day.

“We feed off their energy.

Having 150-plus kids here today was just incredible,” he said. “Having them support us all season ... getting out of school early, coming to support us, it was incredible.”

Crinkley pointed to the play of their four seniors who played all four years Murdock, Gingrich, Sears and himself. He added that one new senior - Jacob Ezell - really contributed when their setter went down and continued to contribute to their stellar run.

“This means everything,” Sears said of their state title. “I’ve worked hard all four years of me being on the team, and it’s been awesome.”

“This being my first year playing, it’s just surreal to be able to come out here,” Smith said, who from the beginning of the season worked up to playing a key role in the state championship game.

Colonial Heights Boys Volleyball closed out 2015 with an 18-7 overall record, a regional championship and now a 4A state championship.

“It was amazing to be able to work with this group of guys,” Crinkley said. “I

The student section cheers on as the Colonial Heights boys volleyball team wins the state championship against Midlothian High School at the Siegel Center in Richmond on Friday.

The Colonial Heights boys volleyball team holds the state championship trophy for the crowd to see during their win.

Stuart Crinkley finished wouldn’t have wanted to high school volleyball with do it with anyone else.” one of his best games, finColonial Heights Stats: ishing just one kill shy of State Championship a triple-double. He had 18 Noah Murdock ended blocks, 16 digs, nine kills, his high school volleyball two aces and one assist.

Noah Sears in the last career on a monster day: a triple double with 33 volleyball game of his high kills, 17 blocks, 17 digs and school career had two kills, two blocks and a dig. three aces.

Mikey Livesay wrapped Tyler Gingrich went out on a big stat line with 44 up his time on the volleyassists, seven digs, one ball team on two kills and one block in the game. block and one kill.

Noah Bryant picked up

six kills, three digs, an ace and a block.

Brandon Smith had three kills, three blocks and two digs.

Dante Jennings rolled off 12 digs and an assist.

Cameron Cox had 8 digs.

Scores by set Colonial Heights 25 24 25 25 Midlothian 20 26 19 21

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Friday, Nov. 27, 2015 | The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va.

SENIOR GOLF ASSOCIATION

50 AND OLDER

Over 40 new members inducted

Senior moments Highlights from Colonial Heights Senior Citizens Club meetings

Two golfers achieve hole-in-one From Contributed Report

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Colonial Heights Senior Golf Association season has come to a close for 2015 and was a rousing success.

The year held several interesting developments — not the least of which was the induction of 41 new members. The Association still maintains a significant waiting list of individuals seeking to join.

Two members achieved the elusive milestone of scoring holes-in-one.

Average player count each week remained high at around 100.

The Awards Banquet, the Grand Finale of the season, was held at the scenic Lee Club at Fort Lee on Friday, Nov. 13.

Following a dinner prepared by the club staff and enjoyed by all, the annual awards were presented. The Dean Miller Memorial Award, given each year to that member whose singular efforts have contributed significantly to the continued success of the Association, was presented to Dick Ellyson, a member since 2002. Dick’s steadfast support of the Association in a variety of ways has earned the respect of all.

“Hole-in-One” trophies were presented to Don Tipton and Wayne Bennett for their “aces” this year.

Finally, the winners of the Club Championship Tournament held on three successive weeks in September and October (best two of the three rounds) were recognized. Trophies were awarded for the low gross (raw score) and the low net (score after handicap is applied) in each of four flights.

Those winners, listed in low gross and low net order, respectively, are as follows: ■ D Flight: Dudley Allen (175), Tommy Johnson (137); ■ C Flight: Danny Riddle (166), Rich Pingle (68*); ■ B Flight: Charlie Fish (163), Bill Butler (72*); ■ A Flight: Tom Crockett (151), Jim Crinkley (69*).

■ Ed Tatum was declared the “overall net” winner.

The club champion for 2015 was Bob Shrader.

Many members of the Colonial Heights Senior Citizens Club had fun dressing up for Halloween. Kit Ericson dressed as a master gardener.

Several members of the Colonial Heights Senior Citizens Club paused during their Halloween party to smile for the camera. Having fun on Halloween were, back row from left to right: Alice Burnett, Frances Garrett, Julia Gerheart, Brenda Norwood, and Kit Ericson. Front row from left to right: Bonnie Emerick and Ludwig Hoge. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

LEFT: In October, for Halloween, members of the Colonial Heights Senior Citizens Club got into the spirit of the holiday.

Member, Brenda Norwood, dressed for Halloween as a fortune teller.

She is pictured reading another member’s palm.

From left to right, Edith Wood, Kit Ericson and Anna Harris, members of the Colonial Heights Senior Citizens Club, celebrated their November birthdays at a recent club meeting. Absent member with a November birthday was Sharon Barclay.

Officer Sophia Benkendorf with the Colonial Heights Police Department spoke about safety concerns for seniors at a recent meeting at the Colonial Heights Senior Citizens Club.

LEFT: Eve Woodfin celebrated her October birthday. Absent members with October birthdays were Doris Grubb and Frances Campisi.

RIGHT: Joan Light celebrated her September birthday.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

City offering neighborhood leaf removal services From Contributed Report

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The City’s Department of Public Works is providing convenient leaf removal services in city neighborhoods again this year. Each fall, residents collect and stockpile loose leaves along city streets, which city crews remove and make available to local recycling businesses.

During the 2014⁄15 season, city cre ws collec ted approximately 3,300 cubic yards of leaves.

This year, leaf removal

operations will occur in three main service areas, each consisting of three to four neighborhoods. Visit www.colonialheightsva.gov and see link for map of the service areas and schedules.

Signs will be installed on adjacent thoroughfares to let residents know in advance when service is scheduled in their area. Please note that the time for service in each area is subject to change depending on inclement weather conditions and other events beyond the City’s control.

Leaves are being collected and removed during the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Leaf collection began Nov. 9, and will continue until Jan. 29, 2016.

Residents are asked to place leaves along street frontages and roadsides one week before service is scheduled to begin in their neighborhood. No leaves will be removed except during regularly scheduled times. Leaves that are not placed before regularly scheduled

removal times will be removed during the next regularly scheduled service in the area. City crews cannot remove leaves from private property.

Residents are asked to keep leaf piles free of tree branches, lumber, steel, rock, concrete or other debris. Hard objects mixed with leaves are hazardous and may damage leaf vacuum equipment causing unnecessary time and expense to repair or replace.

Residents can assist city leaf removal operations by keeping parked

vehicles clear of leaf piles. The use of off-street parking is encouraged wherever available. “No Parking” signs may be used to restrict parking on neighborhood streets while city crews remove leaf piles. To avoid damaging personal property, city crews will not rake leaf piles out from under or between parked cars.

Residents may contact the Public Works Department at (804) 520-9372 for more information about this neighborhood service.

The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va. | Friday, Nov. 27, 2015

V5

THEATER REVIEW

‘Plaid Tidings’ brings holiday spirit to the Mill

By Una Harrison For The Progress-Index

“Plaid Tidings,” a sequel to the original “Forever Plaid” show, returns to Swift Creek Mill Theatre.

The Plaids are a fictitious teenage guy-group from the sixties, singing pops of the pre-Beatle era.

In the original show, first performed at the Mill in 1994, the lads are present in spirit because they meet their demise in a fatal road accident on the way to their big debut. Released from

heaven back to earth, they finally get to sing the show they never performed.

The “Plaid Tidings” sequel, last performed at the Mill in 2007, has the lads again returning from heaven. This time they are confused as to the reason for their second chance.

As the plot and the songs progress, they, and the audience, learn the reason why.

Along the way they treat us to 28 favorite pop and classic numbers that we know and love, beautifully

sung in harmony by four young, handsome and very talented actors.

The quartet, Frankie, Sparky, Jinx and Smidge are played by Kirk Sharpenstein, Ian Page, Storm Burke, and Gordon Graham. With some heavenly prompting, they harmonize, hoof, spoof, have fun, and carry the audience with them.

Memorable moments are a fast-forward Ed Sullivan show, a bell-ringing capella with an audience participant, a Christmas day-o

Calypso, a Perry Como sequence, complete with original B&W footage and a hip-hop “ Twazza Nite B4”.

The audience had a marvelous time singing along with the classics.

“Plaid Tidings” was directed, choreographed and introduced by Tom Width, with musical director, Travis West, both on the keyboard and on stage, backed up by bassist Jay Calabrio.

Audra Honaker directed the hip-hop sequence.

‘Plaid Tidings” is a lighthearted holiday show, performed by four very charming young men, that the whole family can enjoy.

It will definitely put you in the holiday spirit.

"Plaid Tidings" will be playing at Swift Creek Mill Theatre, 17401 Jefferson Davis Highway, Colonial Heights, through Jan. 9, 2016. Shows are performed Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. nightly with some matinees. Tickets are available for the show only or a buffet meal and

show. Call 804-748-5203 for reservations or visit www.swiftcreekmill.com for online ticketing.

• Una Harrison is the artistic and teaching director of Theatre with Children for Children at the Petersburg Area Art League (PAAL). See her as Mrs. Claus, along with Santa and the elves, in her “Santa’s Parlor”, a free show for children of all ages, at PAAL on Friday, Dec 11, at 6 and 7:15 p.m. Harrison writes theatre reviews for The Progress-Index.

YOUTH THEATER

Swift Creek Mill presenting ‘Drifty and the Chocolate Factory’ Latest installment in the ‘Drifty the Snowman’ series will run through Dec. 22 From Staff Reports

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — It's beginning to feel and look a lot like the holidays at Swift Creek Mill Theatre.

For local students, the Mill's Youth Theatre Series production begins on Nov. 30. "Drifty and the Chocolate Factory"

by Paul Deiss is the latest installment in the "Drifty the Snowman" series and will run through Dec. 22. Drifty, Cowboy Jim, Pepita the Elf and other friends will be presenting their new adventure Monday through Friday

at 10:15 a.m. and 12 p.m. and then also on Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Theatre tickets are $8.75; add $2 for a pizza lunch. "Drifty and the Chocolate Factory" is designed for students in pre-K to third grade.

Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime. For each 20 ticke ts purchased, one free ticket will be provided. Lunch includes one slice of pizza, two sides and a drink. Additional pizza may be pre-ordered.

For reservations, call In this “Drifty” cast photo, Drifty and Mrs. Claus make music together. PHOTO COURTESY OF SWIFT CREEK MILL 804-748-5203.

THEATRE

In this 2013 file photo, the cast of “Drifty’s North Star Jamboree,” with guest star Scottie Scout, is shown on stage. The latest installment in the “Drifty the Snowman” series, “Drifty and the Chocolate Factory,” opens Nov. 30 at Swift Creek Mill Theatre. PHOTO COURTESY OF SWIFT CREEK MILL THEATRE

In this “Drifty” cast photo, Cowboy Jim, left, and Pepita the Elf share the stage.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SWIFT CREEK MILL THEATRE.

BRIEFLY ITEMS

Turkey Trot COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The City's Chamber of Commerce and Recreation Department sponsored its 4th Annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. The city continued the tradition initiated in 2012 – bringing over 1,000 participants together annually to gratefully celebrate healthy living in the city.

Organizers were again raising funds for scholarships, special school programs, and Chamber of Commerce college scholarships for high school students.

The Turkey Trot is a 1 mile fun run/walk and 5K fun run/walk. The Run/Walk began at 9 a.m. at Colonial Heights High School, 3600 Conduit Road.

Participants were encouraged to wear a costume.

Accounting and QuickBooks seminar PETERSBURG — The

Crater Small Business Development Center of Longwood University will host a two-day seminar on the Accounting Basics & QuickBooks 2015 Desktop version. This will not be a hands-on class (no computer lab available).

Participants are welcome to bring their own laptops, course files can be provided.

The seminar will be presented Dec. 1, from 1:30 to 5 p.m. in the conference room of the Petersburg Public Library, 201 W. Washington St. Day 2 of the seminar will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Petersburg Public Library's multiple purpose room.

The cost is $100 (check or money order, online payment available). Make checks payable to Longwood University SBDC. Payment is non-refundable.

Lunch will be provided on Dec. 2.

To register: www. sbdc-longwood.com or call Crater SBDC (804) 518-2003.

Holiday bazaar CHESTERFIELD — The 24th annual Jingle Bell Bazaar will be held Saturday, Dec 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ecoff Elementary School, 5200 Ecoff Ave., Chester.

More than 110 local crafters and vendors will offer accessories, baskets, baked goods, bird houses, books, candles, clothing, crocheted and knitted items, decorations, floral, health and beauty products, handbags, hand painted porcelain, glass and slate jewelry, kitchenware, pet products, pocket watches, totes, wood crafts and wreaths. There will also be door prizes and concessions.

The $1 admission donation will benefit the Ecoff Elementary PTA. For more information, email ecoffpta@gmail.com.

Festival Chorus concert PETERSBURG — The Petersburg Festival

Chorus will perform its annual Christmas concert, “Sounds of the Seasons” on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m., at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 225 Claremont St. Tickets for the concert are $12 and can be purchased at the door or from any chorus member.

The Festival Belles, an a capella group, will perform several songs including “There Is No Rose” by Benjamin Britton, “Pie Jesu” and “Bethlehem”.

Congressman Butterfield was elected to represent North Carolina’s First Congressional District in July of 2004. He sits on the Committee on Energy and Commerce as the fifth most senior Democrat on the Health Subcommittee. He also serves as a member of the subcommittees of Communications and Technology, and Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.

In November of 2014, he was unanimously elected chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Congressional Black Caucus chair to SweetFrog stuffed visit Virginia Union animal drive RICHMOND — Congressman George Kenneth “G. K.” Butterfield, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), will address students at Virginia Union University (VUU) on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public and will be held in Wall Auditorium, which is located in Ellison Hall.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — As the holidays approach, sweetFrog Enterprises LLC has announced a new program that will benefit The Salvation Army and their Christmas Assistance - a program is designed to help the less fortunate in communities during the Christmas season. Through

the Scoop & Cookie Drive, sweetFrog shops nationwide will collect new plush toys and stuffed animals to help families in need.

All sweetFrog shops will display collection boxes and customers are encouraged to donate new, small stuffed animals or plush toys in the boxes provided. For every new stuffed animal or plush toy donated, sweetFrog will reward the customer with a BOGO card. Collection boxes are in shops now and the drive will conclude on Dec.1.

Petersburg Parade PETERSBURG — The Petersburg Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, December 5, at 3 p.m.

The theme is Celebrating a Green Holiday Season “An Eco-Friendly Holiday Season”.

The route will be begin on South Crater Road near the water tower (Old JC Penney parking lot) and end at Pinehill Plaza.

V6

Friday, Nov. 27, 2015 | The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va.

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