Community

It’s an art: Kuper a super teacher, peers say

By Danielle Ozbat on December 4, 2018 Community, Features, Schools, Teachers

ABOVE: Amber Kuper holds a student’s art project, a hamburger made of clay. Amber Kuper believes art is a skill akin to learning to ride a bike or typing and that there is always something to show when finished with a project. In her art class at Salem Church Middle School, Kuper’s students explore this concept. “One of the things that I’m really proud of is: I try to give them some baby steps … I call it my three steps of drawing, so I try to break down this … complex idea of drawing into something more simple.” At the…

Donating a gift of life: Chester man recalls life of son, who was an organ donor

By Becky Wright on December 4, 2018 Charity, Community, Features

ABOVE: Michael Brigati, on right, and his son, Matthew. Matthew Brigati was a New Year’s Day baby, born in 1988. In 2010 he lost his life in a tragic motor vehicle crash, but left behind a chance of life for others. “Matt loved sports and was an avid fan of his teams and watched games when he could,’ his father, Michael Brigati, said. “He and his friends played them as well.” Matt enjoyed playing local hockey and games of pick-up basketball. He loved his job at a TGI Fridays restaurant and was a happy-go-lucky “people person,” Michael said. “As we lived…

‘Giving tree’: Local eatery supporting disabled veterans

By Caleb M Soptelean on December 4, 2018 Business, Charity

ABOVE RIGHT: Cheryl Camden holds a photo of Sonny Bice, a disabled veteran who served in Vietnam. Cheryl and Doug Camden started their “giving tree” about 10 years ago. The owners of the Village Grill, 4337 Old Hundred Road in Chester, decided they wanted to give back to the community that has supported their business, which has been open for 18 years. “If it wasn’t for our customers, we wouldn’t have our business,” Cheryl said. In previous years the business has collected donations for the men’s and women’s shelters in Petersburg, Richmond Animal League, Mercy Mall and Grace House Ministries’…

Where legislation begins? School board asks legislators for help

By Caleb M Soptelean on December 4, 2018 Politics, Schools, State News

ABOVE: Matoaca District school board rep Rob Thompson, center, speaks while state Sen. Rosalyn Dance and House Speaker Kirk Cox listen. Adding school resource officers at each of the 38 elementary schools in Chesterfield County was one topic discussed at a joint meeting of school board members and local state legislators last week. The school board made some of their requests known during the Nov. 27 meeting with seven state legislators at the Chesterfield Career and Tech Center. “We would be grateful for any help,” board member Dianne Smith said. The SRO funding is part of a list of recommendations from…

Brooks earns Eagle Scout rank

By Press release on November 27, 2018 Community

Jameson Connor Brooks, 15, son of Kimberly Brooks Spiers of South Chesterfield, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on June 12. He is a member of Troop 2815 at Chester United Methodist Church. Brooks has been active in Boy Scouts since he was 8. He was awarded the Arrow of Light in March 2014 while he was with Troop 922 in Enon. For his Eagle Scout project, and in connection with his lifelong passion for trains, Brooks chose to benefit the Richmond Railroad Museum and led a team in building and installing a new exit bridge for the former Seaboard…

Eagle Scout project benefits airport fire station

By Becky Wright on November 27, 2018 Community

ABOVE: These members of Troop 2837 helped with Torres’ project. Right, Jonathan Torres stands between the benches he and his team built for the Airport Fire Station. The seating accommodations just became more scenic at Chesterfield Fire and EMS Station No. 15, thanks to a local youth. Jonathan Torres, 15, worked benches and tables that were placed outside the fire station. “The beneficiary and I had a meeting, and we decided what would be built,” Torres explained. “I started to talk about my path to Eagle in April. After months of planning, the lumber was prepped on one workday and assembled…

Virginia’s Native American heritage celebrated in November

By Becky Wright on November 27, 2018 Community, State News

ABOVE: Left, A Native American yehakin, or longhouse, is pictured at Henricus Historical Park. On right, Tamsye ‘Little Dove’ Stover of the Chickahominy Tribe has appeared at past Henricus events and demonstrated beadwork and crafting. Since 1996, Virginia has recognized November as American Indian Month. In Virginia, there are seven federally recognized tribes: Chickahominy, Chickahominy Eastern, Monacan, Nansemond, Rappahannock, Upper Mattaponi and Pamunkey. Virginia is home to four state-recognized Indian tribes: the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway), Mattaponi, Nottoway of Virginia and Patawomeck. “Thousands of American Indians from outside of the Commonwealth have moved to Virginia and made it their home,” Gov. Ralph…

Meadowdale Library celebrates 10 years in current building

By Becky Wright on November 27, 2018 Community, Libraries

ABOVE on right: Former branch manager John Twombly, Mike Mabe, director of Library Services and current branch manager James Hudson. Meadowdale Library recently celebrated 10 years in its new building. More than 200 people attended a Nov. 10 celebratory event. Many changes have come to the library over the years. The library was temporarily located in a trailer in the parking lot of the old Fulghum Center off Cogbill Road from February 2007 until November 2008. The library was reopened as a 20,000-square-foot facility that was funded through a 2004 bond referendum. During the year such programs and events as Comic…

‘Triple Nickels’ remembered

By Press release on November 27, 2018 Community, History

Members of the Jesse J. Mayes Tri-Cities Chapter of the 555th Parachute Infantry Assoc., attended a commemoration of Ettrick’s Triple Nickel Bridge on Nov. 16. The 555th Parachute Infantry was the nation’s first all-black parachute infantry platoon, and was affectionately known as the ‘Triple Nickels.’

Family time!

By Press release on November 27, 2018 Community

Kristina Williams, on right, submitted a photo of five generations of women from her family’s recent Thanksgiving celebration. Top, Peggy Schmidt, right, Williams, bottom, Addison-Mae Mingloski, bottom left, Katelynn Mingloski, upper left, Rosemary Thompson.

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