Community

Chesterfield firefighters honor 9/11 fallen

By Becky Wright on September 17, 2019 Community, Fire & EMS, For the Record

Imagine climbing a flight of stairs carrying about 50 pounds or more while wearing firefighter protective gear that weighs 50 pounds. That’s what some of the brave men and women of Chesterfield Fire and EMS recently did to remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Richmond 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb took place Sunday, Sept. 8, at the SunTrust Bank building. Each participant paid tribute to 613 New York City first responders by climbing the equivalent of the 110 stories that were at the World Trade Center.

FBC Centralia hosting auditions for Christmas play

By Press release on September 10, 2019 Church Events

Auditions for the musical, “Christmas: The Untold Story,” will be held Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 16-17 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm at First Baptist Church, Centralia, 2920 Kingsdale Road, N. Chesterfield. http://www.aletheamccollin.com/auditions.html

‘Man of steel’ Chester guitarist named to state’s country music hall of fame

By Caleb M Soptelean on September 10, 2019 Community, Honors

Donna Meade Dean-Stevens and Ryland Tinnell are pictured at the Beacon Theatre. (Harry Storms photo) He’s Chester’s “Man of Steel.” Ryland Tinnell, 77, has been pickin’ and grinnin’ since age 7 or 8. Now, he’s the latest inductee into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame and its first steel guitarist. Tinnell – who was honored with a ceremony at the Beacon Theatre in Hopewell Aug. 17 – is a regular performer with the Barn Burners and plays steel guitar with the band five times a year. “I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it,” Tinnell said, noting the…

Candidates discuss Carvana development

By Caleb M Soptelean on September 10, 2019 Board of Supervisors, Business, Chesterfield Government, Economic Development, Politics

Jim Ingle, on left, and Murtaza Khan speak Sept. 3. Also pictured is Erik Goulet, center. (Caleb M. Soptelean photo) Last week, Republican Jim Ingle and Democrat Murtaza Khan spoke and answered questions about the proposed Carvana auto inspection and storage facility planned for Woods Edge Road. The project is slated to be considered by the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors on Sept. 25. Both candidates, who are vying to replace incumbent Republican Dorothy Jaeckle, also spoke in general about their candidacies. If either were now on the board, Khan said he would vote against the Carvana project, while Ingle said…

Local women train for marathon: Murphy, Moody aim to raise funds for cures

By Ellie Browning on September 10, 2019 Health, Outdoors

Amanda Moody and Frances Murphy are training for the Chicago Marathon. (Ellie Browning photo) Accumulating miles on foot around Chester is just one small task for two friends who have decided to prepare for the Chicago Marathon. Chesterfield resident Frances Murphy is running to raise funds for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Murphy’s friend Amanda Moody will be running to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society because her husband, Art, suffers from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Murphy originally found her passion for running over 25 years ago from a friend, but she recently began showing her support as a marathoner for the…

Garden Club’s installs new officers

By Press release on September 10, 2019 Clubs

The Chester Garden Club recently installed new officers for two-year terms. From left, Carol White, treasurer, Donna Schilly, recording secretary, Phillipa Smith, president, Melissa Ray, first vice president, Linda Wynne, corresponding secretary, and Mary Musselwhite, second vice president.

Time Travelers Passport offers free admission to 19 historic sites

By Press release on September 10, 2019 Events, History

History buffs will be able to visit 19 Richmond-area historic sites for free on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22. Each site will offer complimentary admission to visitors who show a Time Travelers Passport, which is available by download from the participating locations’ websites. Participating locations include: Agecroft Hall and Gardens, The American Civil War Museum’s White House of the Confederacy, The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, The Chesterfield County Museum and Historic Jail, Chimborazo Medical Museum (Richmond National Battlefield Park), Clarke-Palmore House, Courtney Road Service Station, Dabbs House Museum, Deep Run Schoolhouse, The Edgar Allan Poe Museum, Historic St.…

Community meal: Local church continues offering free suppers twice a month

By Caleb M Soptelean on September 10, 2019 Church Events, Community

Shirley Wright cuts cake before last week’s Community Fellowship Supper. (Caleb M. Soptelean photo) Chester Baptist Church offers some food and fellowship twice a month. The congregation has been hosting free evening dinners on the first and third Thursdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. from September through May since 1999. This year the church decided to change the name from “companion dinners” to “community fellowship suppers.” The dinners averaged 45 last year, but the church is hoping to attract as many as 75. “We thought it would get more attendance,” Wright said, referring to the name change. She speculated that…

County gets update on FOLAR trail progress

By Caleb M Soptelean on September 10, 2019 Outdoors

Heather Barrar An overlook at Virginia State University opened in the spring. Little by little, the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River are making progress. FOLAR representative Heather Barrar updated county officials about trails in the area during the Aug. 28 Board of Supervisors work session. “We brought $2.5 million of improvements to the region over 20 years,” Barrar said. This has resulted in 20-plus miles of trails in an area that includes parts of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie and Prince George counties and the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell and Petersburg. Two trails have been built in Chesterfield and another is…

Back to school

By Danielle Ozbat on September 10, 2019 Back-To-School, Community, Schools

Dale District school board member John Erbach visits with students at O.B. Gates Elementary during their first day of school, Sept. 3. (Danielle Ozbat photo)

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