Mixing Bowl

Chesterfield has new state trooper: Thacker previously was in the Marine Corps

By Becky Wright on March 26, 2019 Features, Police

Jaleel Thacker stands next to his patrol car. (Caleb M. Soptelean photo) Chester resident Jaleel Clayton Thacker is on patrol in Chesterfield County as a newly sworn Virginia State Trooper. On Feb. 15, Thacker graduated with 79 other new state troopers after completing 1,300 hours of classroom and field instruction in more than 100 subjects, including defensive tactics, crime scene investigation, ethics and leadership, survival Spanish, police professionalism, firearms, judicial procedures, officer survival, cultural diversity and crisis management. “The police academy wasn’t quite what I expected,” Thacker said. “It was far more challenging than I anticipated it to be, which…

Dear Abishag: Damon writes second book about Biblical women

By Ellie Browning on March 19, 2019 Community, Features

Roberta M. Damon, an 84-year-old Chester resident, recently debuted her second book in a series, “Dear Abishag: Letters to Little Known Women of the Bible.” The book, which was released in December, is a sequel to Damon’s first book: “Dear Mrs. Noah: Letters to Unnamed Women of the Bible.” Similar to her previous book, Dear Abishag is accompanied by the illustrations of her granddaughter, Melissa Damon. The book contains 30 chapters. Each is embodied with a descriptive letter to or from somewhat unknown women, such as Abishag, Jael, Keturah, Susanna and Zipporah. “So often we think of all things Biblical…

D’Elia creates ‘spark’ at Salem Church Middle

By Danielle Ozbat on March 20, 2018 Features

A typical day in Janine D’Elia’s science class starts off with a warmup to activate her students’ knowledge, segues into the lesson plan of the day, and wraps the day up with an activity. This allows her students to be actively engaged and always moving in the classroom, which she said she hopes is a fun place to be. “I teach through the lens of inquiry. My kids are scientists and they need to be able to figure things out, and I hope I develop those STEM skills. We do project-based learning and problem-based learning, so they have to figure…

Village News welcomes new editor/reporter

By VN Staff on March 8, 2018 Features

Chester by way of Montana. That’s the route of Caleb M. Soptelean, the Village News’s new editor/reporter. Soptelean comes to the newspaper with 20 years of experience as either a newspaper reporter or editor. He fills the position of founding editor Mark Fausz, who plans to enjoy his retirement years as much as possible. Soptelean, 47, grew up in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in rural eastern Ohio, about 65 miles of Pittsburgh. He is pleased to be back in the Old Dominion, closer to his daughters in Hampton Roads. He has covered a variety of beats over the…

Halloween happenings

By Press release on November 11, 2017 Mixing Bowl

It was a dark and spooky night; the leaves were tumbling down the streets, following in the footsteps of all the children dancing through the night. It was Halloween, and the ghosts, goblins, and witches were out to get yummy treats. Tall and short, happy and scary, the children delighted in going door to door and politely asking “trick or treat” to each person who answered the door. I don’t think that I will ever tire of Halloween; it’s a magical night where anything is possible. We have been through the many stages of parenthood so far, and Halloween is…

Camping

By Press release on October 25, 2017 Mixing Bowl

A few weekends ago, I embarked on an adventure with my sweet girl. We went on a camping trip with her Girl Scout troop. I will be honest with you: I was not looking forward to going. I had been camping a few times in my life, but never as an adult with creaky knees and hips. I borrowed a tent, and some sleeping bags, and off we went to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The drive up was beautiful; there is nothing like the gently rolling mountains of Virginia. We arrived at our campsite, and unloaded all of our gear.…

New theater teachers bring passion in county schools

By Melissa Wilfong on October 25, 2017 Mixing Bowl, Schools

Each year, theater and drama teachers bring new experiences to their students and audiences alike, sharing thrill and adventure through the arts. They showcase plays, develop love for the arts in students and many other life skills. Meet two Chesterfield County teachers that bring their talents to two neighborhood middle schools with their own flair and commitment to theater and drama. Each is in her first year as a drama teacher in the area. Falling Creek Middle School – Shelley Butela Right now, Shelley Butela has her drama students working on dramatic writing. Some of the students made speeches on…

Wasted world

By Press release on October 11, 2017 Commentary, Mixing Bowl

I don’t even know where to begin today. We are in crisis, folks, severe, unrelenting crisis. We have had yet another mass shooting, our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico are dying without access to food, water, and electricity, we are on the brink of war with North Korea, and all people can focus on is people kneeling during the national anthem. We are falling apart at the seams, and there is no one who will save us. I am overwhelmed with the destruction of our country and the rate of speed at which it is happening. Environmental protections, who needs…

What side?

By Press release on September 27, 2017 Mixing Bowl

If you have been following this column, you may have noticed that I have been sticking to pretty tame subjects lately. My children, the weather, my moods, basically pretty banal stuff. We are living in a time where some of us feel that we cannot voice our opinions for fear of retribution from others. It’s a sad and frightening time for this country. I have always been very forthright with my opinions. I feel like we should treat each other as we wish to be treated. I feel like we should treat each other with respect, kindness, love, and acceptance.…

Fall Musings

By Press release on September 27, 2017 Mixing Bowl

The start of school certainly ushered in the beginning of fall early this year. For once, we have a nice, cool, dry start to school. No thickly humid days, having to wear shorts and “summer” clothes to school on the first day. With this beautiful fall weather the new school clothes can be worn right from the start, it’s wonderful. I love this weather. I love having my windows open and my air turned off. Not only does it keep my electric bill down, but it also brings the nostalgic scents of my childhood wafting through my house. People burning…

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