Librarian serves over three decades, still going strong
0Michelle Harris has served at Midlothian, Central, Chester, Enon and Ettrick-Matoaca libraries. Currently residing in Chester, she has called the area home for twenty-five years. “I started working for the county in 1980 with the bookmobile program,” Harris said. “Seeing a child’s love of books and reading, I have appreciation for the written word. I realized the library is about books and beyond.” With so many careers to choose from, why be a librarian? “I loved making the connection with people and making the connection between books and people to better people’s lifestyles,” Harris explained. Harris can remember the days…
THAT WAS THEN: Rosenwald Schools
0The rural school building program began in 1912 as a collaboration between Booker T. Washington, the head of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, and Rosenwald, one of the institutes trustees and the president of Sears, Roebuck and Company. Washington held that impoverished African Americans could improve economic and social conditions by educating themselves —but at the time, public school facilities for blacks in the rural South were inadequate at best and nonexistent at worst. By providing matching funds to stimulate the construction of safe, sanitary school buildings in rural areas, Washington hoped to improve the state of public education for…
Beulah ES getting new building
0A groundbreaking ceremony for a replacement of Beulah Elementary School will be held Wednesday, May 31. The Beulah Elementary project was one of 10 school revitalization projects approved by county residents in the 2013 bond referendum, which focused on renovating or replacing older school facilities. Approved projects include the renovation or replacement of seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school, as well as the construction of a new elementary school to relieve overcrowding at Watkins Elementary. “I am excited to see construction start on a new Beulah Elementary. The existing school, built in 1928 with multiple additions…
Summer camps at Henricus
0Henricus Historical Park offers a variety of camps throughout the summer for children who enjoy the outdoors and history. Camp Pocahontas, held on June 26 to 30 and again on July 10 to 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for campers ages six through ten years old, explore the environment and life of Pocahontas and the culture of the Powhatan people through demonstrations, activities, and arts and crafts. In our recreated Powhatan settlement of Arrohateck, hands-on activities will include cooking; farming; hunting; house and canoe building; fish net weaving; and making of pottery, arrows, and tools. Make-and-take crafts are…
Henricus Historical Park receives donation
0Howard Nester, President of Chesterfield Farm Bureau, along with Candie Whitus and Lee Thompson, insurance agents, recently presented Henricus Historical Park staff with a donation of $1,000 for the care and feeding of the animals at the living-history museum. The historic site currently cares for chickens, goats, pigs, and cats. “We’re honored to have the ongoing support of Mr. Nester and the Chesterfield Farm Bureau.” said Executive Director Charles L. Grant. “The Farm Bureau’s generous donation helps greatly with the feeding and annual veterinary care that our animals require to keep them happy and healthy.” For more information, please visit…
Reducing Weeds
0Weed (noun): a wild plant that grows where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants. Garden (noun): a piece of ground, often near a house, used for growing flowers, fruit, or vegetables. Gardener (noun): a sometimes-frustrated individual often seen pulling, digging, spraying, and saying unkind words about weeds. Yes, weeds are a constant source of aggravation, whether you are an ornamental or edible gardener. Weeds are also more than just a nuisance. They compete with your desirable plants for nutrients, water, and light. Weeds will grow faster than cultivated plants, and they are fast reproducers. Weeds can…
Jumpin’ for jazz at the library
0The Richmond Jazz Band was in rare form Saturday during their latest big band presentation at the Chester Library under the banner “Spring into Music.” It was an important concert for the band as their Music Director Gilberto (Bam Bam) Rodriguez led his last concert. He and his fellow musician, wife Bertha Rodriguez, will be leaving the band to return to their home in Puerto Rico. It made for a very bittersweet last performance for the pair. With thumping RJB and glad cheers, the audience of over 100 jazz admirers enjoyed many favorites such as “Mack the Knife,” “Orange-Colored Sky,”…
POLICE BLOTTER
0larceny – 45 assaults – 29 animal cases – 25 drug offenses- 23 traffic- 22 miscellaneous- 22 fraud- 17 vandalisms- 14 death investigations- 14 burglary- 9 trespassing- 1 weapon violations- 7 ALCOTT RD (25xx block) 05/19/2017 4:00 p.m. – Injury-Accidental – Heroin Overdose AUTUMN LEAF DR (58xx block) 05/21/2017 9:30 a.m. – Vandalism-Residential BEACH RD (89xx block) 05/20/2017 6:00 a.m. – Miscellaneous property stolen from residence. BEAUMONT AVE (101xx block) 05/19/2017 5:30 p.m. – Vandalism to a residence. BEULAH RD (38xx block) 05/12/2017 12:00 p.m. -…