People

Kristin Wright with her two boys.

Full-time student, mom shares wisdom of “grit and grace”

By Amanda Creasey on January 13, 2021 People

Despite a global pandemic and social and political unrest, these days, Kristin Wright feels unstoppable. She didn’t achieve such confidence without personal setbacks and challenges, though. “It took becoming a mother, going through a divorce, and having my life turned upside down to really dig deep and find out who I was, what I wanted, and what I was going to do about it,” Wright said. Much like Wright’s life at one point, in 2020 the world seemed to have turned upside down. In the wake of a global pandemic, joblessness increased, medical centers became overwhelmed, learning and working from…

Delmer Farmer, center, received the Two-Star Note from the Army in October with Agnes, his wife of 78 years and family by his side.

Family is first and foremost for lifelong Chesterfield resident, WWII veteran on the eve of centenarian milestone

By Amanda Creasey on December 3, 2020 Community, People

Delmer Farmer, known to his loved ones as Buck, is the oldest of six children. In his case, that means a lot: Farmer will turn 100 on Jan. 3, 2021. Although the lockdown makes a birthday celebration uncertain, Farmer is sure “there will be some type of celebration.” The soon-to-be-centenarian is no stranger to being celebrated. In October, he received a two-star note. “It was a personal note from Maj. Gen. Rodney Fogg,” Farmer explained, “on behalf of the Army, thanking me for my service, stateside and in Europe.” Fogg also wished Farmer a happy 100th birthday, albeit a few…

The Pivot

By Amanda Creasey on August 6, 2020 People, Sports

Dale graduate goes from pro hoops player to life coach and author In 2004, Braxton R. Byerson, also known as “Brax B,” was the only freshman Knight on the varsity basketball team at Thomas Dale High School. That year on the basketball team left him with life lessons he still draws on today in his roles as life coach, author ,and speaker at Brax B Speaks LLC, and as Marketing Specialist at B7 Marketing LLC. “My first lesson was humility,” Byerson said. Coming to the team green, middle school not far behind him, he “had to learn the game at…

Caught reading the Village News

By Public Comment on November 5, 2019 Community, People

Shirley Turner and her daughter, Shiree Parnell, were recently caught reading the Village News at El Patron Mexican restaurant. (Paige Tucker photo)

Salem Church educator is ‘Principal of the Year’

By Caleb M Soptelean on September 24, 2019 People, Schools

Monique Booth stands next to a mural in a hallway at Salem Church Elementary School. (Caleb M. Soptelean photo) Monique Booth likes being a “princiPAL.” So much so, she recently wrote a paper about it for the George W. Bush Institute’s School Leadership Initiative. Her article, “Here is why you want to be ‘that’ parent and get to know the principal of your child’s school,” was posted on the organization’s website Aug. 27. In it, she noted that “research says 25 percent of a school’s total impact on student achievement is attributed to the principal.” The school principal is an…

Chesterfield women featured in upcoming book

By Press release on September 24, 2019 Community, People

Lauren Mosher and Amanda Creasey Two Chesterfield women are being published in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive, Live Happy.” In the book, Amanda Creasey – who is a Chester resident, an English teacher at Colonial Heights High School and a freelance writer for the Village News – shares how she gets up at 4:45 a.m. and enjoys nature, sunrises, bonding with her two dogs and reading her Bible over breakfast. She is a member of the James River Writers, Poetry Society of Virginia and Virginia Outdoor Writers Association. Lauren Mosher is a self-described escapee of the corporate world…

New Chesterfield queen helps fight illiteracy

By Ellie Browning on September 2, 2019 Entertainment, People

New queen Faith Allen, on left, poses with last year’s queen, Dominga Murray. (Ellie Browning photo) Beauty graced the stage on Monday, Aug. 26, as four competitors battled it out with glitz and glamour to be crowned Miss Chesterfield County Fair 2019. With a theme of Pageant Hollywood, contestants participated in four rounds: an opening dance routine, a fun outfit, a glamour outfit and an onstage question. The winner was Faith Allen, a homeschooled student from Forest attending Liberty University. Runners up were Bailey McKee, Megan Bowles and Madison Wells. “I hope to continue my education through law school and…

‘Mr. Fixit’: Bishop built child’s train, has worked on planes and ships

By Caleb M Soptelean on July 9, 2019 Features, People

Henry B. Bishop drives a train that his grandfather made him for his birthday. James B. Bishop, on left, is pictured with a train that he built for his grandson, Henry B. Bishop. On right, Henry’s father, Jason F. Bishop, starts the train for his son. James B. Bishop likes building and fixing things. The 78-year-old native of Enon keeps busy helping his neighbors, children and grandchildren. Bishop demonstrated that skill recently by building a replica of “Thomas the Train” for his 4-year-old grandson, Henry B. Bishop.James used a 16-horsepower lawnmower engine to power the train, which includes a barrel…

Just read to them! Program aims to make reading enjoyable for kids

By Diane Merryman on July 9, 2019 Features, People

Brittany Altadonna reads to her niece Hailey Luck, left, and daughter Bella Altadonna outside when the weather is nice (Diane Merryman photo). Educators know that children learn to read in grades one through three, but by fourth grade the reading emphasis changes. At that point, children read to learn. If a child is not proficient, he or she falls behind. If the child lives in poverty, statistics show that it is even harder to catch up. More than 20 years ago, Richmond school psychologist Gary Anderson noticed that boys were particularly impacted by the reading skills they developed by fourth…

Golfers share more than just a good game

By Diane Merryman on June 18, 2019 Golf, People, Sports

Curtis Reeves and Randy Wilson are pictured on a golf course. When two people meet for the first time it might be a coincidence, but when Randy Wilson and Curtis Reeves met, a better term might be “fate.” Wilson and Reeves met two years ago at a church fellowship called “Birdies and Boogies” at Chester’s Christian Life Church. The church establishes small group fellowship opportunities for people with common interests in order for members to get to know each other better. “Our church believes in fellowship,” Wilson said. “We develop friendships through these fellowship groups.” Wilson and Reeves became friends…

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