Recently Deceased
0Alspaugh, Mr. Kenneth Melvin, 84, of North Chesterfield, a Korean War veteran, husband of Elizabeth Thomas Alspaugh. Atkins, Mrs. Elizabeth Lamb “Libbie,” 72, of Chesterfield, an Army retiree who served at Fort Lee, wife of Edward Atkins. Ballard, Ms. Kristian Brooks, 34, of South Chesterfield. Barner, Mr. Kevin T., 21, of Chester. Bates, Mr. Jay Christopher “Chris,” 60, of North Chesterfield, a sergeant first class with the Virginia Defense Force, husband of Ruth Ann Bates. Berdeaux, Mrs. Eloise Stuart, 85, of North Chesterfield, widow of Lester Berdeaux. Card, Mrs. Tina Marie, 59, of North Chesterfield, wife of Charles Roy Card. Ciucci, Mr. Robert Anthony, 80, of North Chesterfield,…
Tragic but True
0I was watching an Orlando news station last night, and they reported on the tragic death of a four-year-old boy. The story goes that he had started trying to get the baby monitor in his room over the last few days. The monitor had been on his dresser, but his mother had moved it to the windowsill behind the dresser. The reporter went on to say that the little boy got out of bed and climbed on the dresser, pulling it over on himself. I do not remember hearing the timeframe of the mother checking on the child, but this…
Older Americans Month essay contest winners announced
0The Board of Supervisors recognized Sandhya Gentius-Harris, a fifth-grade student at J.B. Watkins Elementary School, as the grand-prize winner of the annual essay contest for Older Americans Month at the board’s meeting April 26. The contest, which gives students in grades 4-5 the opportunity to acknowledge older adults who have had positive impacts on their lives, was open to all Chesterfield County Public School students. Essays came from 235 students at nine elementary schools. Sandhya Gentius-Harris wrote about her grandfather, who grew up deaf but didn’t let that stop him from his dreams and career. “He taught himself how to…
Area teams find places in playoffs
0With summer on the forefront of students’ minds, there is still business to be done in the classrooms and on the athletic fields. Several Chester-area teams performed well and went to regional play. The coverage area saw one conference champion, as Meadowbrook boys’ soccer brought home the Conference 12 crown, while Thomas Dale baseball and lacrosse, Matoaca baseball and girls’ soccer, and L.C. Bird softball advanced to regionals. The Monarchs defeated Prince George 5-0 Thursday for their third victory over the Royals this season. The recently crowned Conference 12 Player of the Year, Juan Carlos Escobar, got a hat trick,…
Three schools programs recognized for success
0The Virginia School Boards Association has released its 21st annual Showcases for Success directory, highlighting successful K-12 programs in Virginia’s public schools. This year’s directory of programs highlights successful projects related to innovative programs, school initiatives, and partnerships from 56 school divisions across the commonwealth. Three Chesterfield County Public Schools programs are featured: CCPS College and Career Readiness Month, Enable the Future at Tomahawk Creek, Middle, and Social Emotional Learning at Ecoff Elementary. “We strive daily to create safe, supportive and nurturing learning environments in our schools,” noted School Board Chair Dr. Javaid Siddiqi. “These innovative programs illustrate our work…
Local art students exhibit their work
0Over a hundred works of art from children and adult artists were on display in Enon recently when Art Adventures, a local studio for kids and adult art lessons in Chester, held its annual art show at the Goddard School in River’s Bend. Best in show art will go on to hang the formal glass gallery in the Suntrust BAnk headquarters in downtown Richmond for the month of June. Art Adventures has been teaching children for over 40 years. It is unlike any other studio of its kind, art students and parents are amazed at what they can do. The…
Dogpound visits the doctor
0Hello, and welcome back to the wonderful world of the Dogpound. Doctor visits have certainly changed over time. When I was little, the doctor still made house calls, black bag and all. Then, we moved to a more centralized visit, going to his office, which was actually in the back of his house, and he would come in one of the exam rooms, sometimes with cigarette in hand [I know, I am old!] and check you out. Then, we moved on to sitting in the waiting room for 30 minutes. Then, another 30 minutes in the exam room, with the…
That Was Then: Dutch Gap Tourist Court
0When the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (Interstate 95)was built parallel to Jefferson Davis Highway, the once-robust travel along the corridor and what comes with it – restaurants, hotels, cabins, dance halls, swimming lakes and a few hoochy-coochy joints – was stolen by the faster more convenient roadway. Gradually, one by one, the attractions and service businesses along the Pike (as it was affectionally known) became strapped for money. The tourist courts were turned into weekly rental but by the late 1990s – early 2000s the ambience of the Pike had been bulldozed under. The Dutch Gap Tourist Court was located at the…