Clubs

Cox named Kiwanis Club’s ‘Person of the Year’

By Caleb M Soptelean on March 12, 2019 Clubs, Community, Politics

House Speaker Kirk Cox holds a plaque that he was given last week. State Del. Kirk Cox thinks it’s “pretty cool” being House Speaker. Cox – who’s in his 30th year serving in the General Assembly – was honored last week as the Chester Kiwanis Club’s “Person of the Year.” The Colonial Heights native said that, despite being tentatively redistricted into a district that favors Democratic voters by 6.5 percentage points, he plans on running for re-election in November. He spoke March 4 before the club about the recently-concluded legislative session. He noted that because of a U.S. District Court…

Lions Club hears about Regenesis Life Ministries

By Press release on March 5, 2019 Clubs

Tracey McReynolds speaks to the Chester Lions Club. By Carelynn Sheppard The Chester Lions Club recently heard about a new ministry from Regenesis Life Ministries. Pastor Gary McReynolds and his wife, “Miss Tracey” McReynolds, spoke to the Chester Lions Club on Feb. 26. Regenesis is dedicated to helping individuals who have the drive to succeed in their battles with drug and alcohol addiction and poor decisions or life choices. It is a Christian-based residential program which has homes for men, women, and families, as well as a food pantry and two thrift stores. Donations to and purchases to their thrift…

Wells honored

By Caleb M Soptelean on February 19, 2019 Clubs, Community

W. Courtney Wells was honored for 59 years of service to the Chester Lions Club in a surprise announcement during the club’s 80th anniversary celebration Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Meadowbrook Country Club. Wells, on left, receives the International Certificate of Appreciation from Hauser Weiser, a past international director of Lions International. In addition, Ralph Jones awarded Wells with a Lions Lifetime Achievement Award and noted that Wells has sponsored 77 people into the club. Also pictured is James Briggs, center. (Photo by Caleb M. Soptelean)

MEGA Mentors celebrate 10 years of mentoring, achievement

By Press release on January 29, 2019 Activities, Clubs, Community

MEGA Mentors students from Carver Middle, Falling Creek Middle, Manchester Middle and Providence Middle schools visited the Freedom Classic Festival at the Virginia State University’s Multi-Purpose Center on Jan. 19. The students were rewarded for excelling in academics and discipline at their respective schools. MEGA Mentors was founded in 2009 after a request for help from former Chesterfield County Public Schools Superintendent Marcus Newsome. Greg Cummings, MEGA’s current president, assembled a group of skilled and retired individuals who volunteered to assist the schools. They developed the foundation of MEGA’s mentoring program that teaches life skills, provides meaningful learning experiences, and…

Woman’s Club hears about Soles for Souls

By Caleb M Soptelean on January 29, 2019 Clubs, Community

Hospitality for the Jan. 15 meeting was provided by Jamie Frasier and Brenda Grant. Stephanie Hathaway recently spoke to the Matoaca Woman’s Club about Soles for Souls, a Nashville, Tenn.-based nonprofit that gives women the opportunity to learn a skill and earn money by selling shoes. The club has already collected 40 pairs of shoes and will be collecting them through June. The club is asking for slightly-used shoes, including women’s, men’s, and children’s. It is a way to recycle, reuse, and raise money to help people who are less fortunate, and it also keeps shoes out of the landfill.…

Chester Lions Club hears about proposed medical center projects

By Press release on January 22, 2019 Clubs

By Carelynn Shephard Bridget Fitzpatrick spoke to the Chester Lions Club Jan. 15 about the Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center and their proposed improvements for Chesterfield County. Fitzpatrick, the administrative director of operations at St. Francis Medical Center, explained that an expansion is necessary because of the county’s rapid population growth. There are four primary initiatives which include: an ambulatory surgery center/medical office building, 55 new acute care beds at St. Francis, a free-standing emergency department in Chester, and a partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University to bring level 2 trauma services to the area. Future projects may be of…

Jones honored at Lions Club meeting; The late Goodwyn was also to be recognized

By Press release on November 27, 2018 Clubs

Ralph Jones was recognized for 50 years of service at the Chester Lions Club’s Nov. 13 meeting. Unfortunately, one of the Lions who was also to be recognized for 50 years of service, Bill Goodwyn, died two weeks earlier. Attending the meeting were District Gov. Jeff Gaddis, and his wife, Donna Gaddis, who is the district global membership team coordinator. Past District Gov. Donna Weiler, who is a candidate for international director with Lions Club International, also attended. Chevrons were awarded for years of service, and Pat Rende was accepted as a transfer to the Chester Lions Club. Gaddis said…

The historic Yellow House holds tales from years gone by

By Caleb M Soptelean on November 27, 2018 Clubs, Community, History

The Chester Garden Club is offering a tour of an 1840s-era house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. The holiday home tour of the Yellow House, formerly known as the Winfree House, is a fundraiser for the club’s community beautification efforts. The L-shaped home has six rooms. Each is 18 feet x 18 feet. Sara Burgess Gibson is the home’s current owner, and enjoys sharing it with the community. Gibson was born in and grew up in the home, which is located at 3001 W. Hundred Road between Chester YMCA and Sunset Memorial Park cemetery. She has…

Kiwanis Club donates coats to children

By Caleb M Soptelean on November 6, 2018 Clubs, Community

ABOVE: The Kiwanis Club of Chester delivered 85 coats to Ecoff Elementary on Friday. Pictured from left are principal Josh Cole, Pat Dvorak and Hank Dvorak. A local civic group recently donated 165 winter coats to students at four local elementary schools. The Kiwanis Club of Chester started the program last year, member Pat Dvorak said. She came up with the idea and worked with Kiwanis member Nicole Jordan and others on the project. “We did not realize how great a need there is in our area until we began collecting the coats and receiving requests from the schools to fill…

Lions hear about Alzheimer’s awareness

By Press release on October 30, 2018 Clubs

By Carelyn Sheppard There are 10 warning signs used for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease which the Chester Lions learned at their meeting in October. Sharon Condrey, a representative of the Greater Richmond chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, spoke to the club about the topic and distributed information about programs for patients and caregivers. Occasionally, typical age-related changes and degeneration are confused with the signs of Alzheimer’s, which is one type of dementia and the sixth-leading cause of death. Early detection of the disease will have a tremendous effect on the patient’s quality of life. Those signs which are use…

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