Matoaca Elementary students honor veterans on Veterans Day
0For 71 years, a stone marker with nine names of soldiers from the Matoaca area who died for their country during World War II has rested on the front lawn of Matoaca Elementary School. To honor veterans on Veterans Day, music teacher Leah Kovack organized an outdoor program for the school surrounding the marker. The program involved the children singing the national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner,” “America,” and “March of Freedom.” Parents and community members attended the event. “My goal is for every single one of my students to know ‘The Star Spangled Banner,’” said Kovack. Inside the school,…
Lessons in flag folding at Enon
0Enon Elementary School principal Jennifer Hinson asked fifth graders who were interested in being part of the flag corp to write an essay on the importance and their respect of the American flag. The flag corp would be responsible for raising and lowering the flag each day at their school. Once essays were turned in and students were selected, Hinson also saw the importance of knowing how to fold the flag. Last Wednesday, soldiers from Fort Lee conducted a class for the 11 students selected for the flag corp. The soldiers demonstrated first hand on how to fold the flag…
FOOTBALL RECAPS: PLAYOFFS BEGIN
0A South No. 3 Thomas Dale 33 No. 6 James River 9 By Andy BaldacciIn The first round of the 6A South playoffs, the No. 3 seed Thomas Dale played host to the No. 6 seed James River Friday and the Knights came away with a defensive-aided 33-9 win. The Thomas Dale defense started off strong, forcing two fumbles and a safety in the first quarter. It didn’t let up, forcing a total of six turnovers in the game. The James River defense played well, too, forcing two fumbles and a safety. Thomas Dale took a commanding 16-0 lead midway…
Dogpound election returns
0Hello and welcome back to the wonderful world of the Dogpound. As of this writing the election is still a few days away…and like Christmas…when you read this you will know what Santa put under the Christmas tree. Some of you will be high fiving, some of you will be crying in your beer, and a few of you will be packing your bags for Canada. In either case, we are still one nation under God, the greatest country on this earth, and standing together we will get through the next four years regardless of who is at the helm.…
Dinner and Auction for Arts Center
0***Don’t miss photos photos below*** Patrons enjoyed a cocktail reception with music performed by the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School string quartet. During dinner, music was provided by the Cook County Blue Grass Band, the Stavna Ballet performed. All proceeds from the event will benefit the construction and operation of the Baxter Perkinson Center for the Arts. Gold sponsors for the event included Virginia Family Dentistry, Brighter Living Assisted Living, and Sunflower Gardens by Shamin. Whiting- Turner Construction and George and Darlene Emerson were Silver Sponsors. Bronze Sponsors included Haley Buick GMC and First Tennessee Bank. The Bar…
Navy day at Bensley
0Bensley Park will honor all veterans and active military personnel Nov. 12 with a “Navy Day” theme ceremony. The two-hour ceremony will begin at 11 a.m., and its special guest speaker will be Navy Lt. Morgan Looney, a Richmond native. Looney graduated from Douglas Freeman High School in 2003 and from the United States Naval Academy in 2007. She service selected Naval Aviation upon graduation and earned her Wings of Gold in 2010 as an F/A-18F Super Hornet Weapons System Officer. After three years of flight school, she was eager to join her Fleet Squadron VFA-211, the Fighting Checkmates, stationed…
Teacher for gifted at Curtis selected for award
0Rhonda Bailey-Clarke, a fifth grade teacher from Curtis Elementary, has received the Virginia Region I Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted Award. This award highlights and recognizes the accomplishments of talented educators providing gifted services to students. The Virginia Association for the Gifted received many applications from extremely qualified candidates. Bailey-Clarke’s credentials, experience, and recommendations earned her the highest evaluation by the selection committee. The association believes that by recognizing the high performance standards set forth by the winners they will inspire other educators and, and as a result, improve education for the gifted in Virginia. “Rhonda Bailey-Clarke is an exceptional…
Chester bridge named for Sgt. Aaron X. Wittman
0On Sunday, the bridge on West Hundred Road in Chester was named in honor of fallen Sgt. Aaron X. Wittman, U.S. Army. At a ceremony at Chester Village Green, the bridge was officially named the Sergeant Aaron Xavier Wittman Memorial Bridge. Representatives and alumni from The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina, where Wittman graduated, attended the ceremony. Lt. Col. Jack W. Parker Jr., U.S. Army and The Citadel Class of 1987, read a poem that he wrote in Wittman’s honor. Wittman died on Jan. 10, 2013, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. Wittman was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 69th…