Urbanna, Virginia 23175 • January 5, 2006 County ... Sentinel A.pdf · board meeting, supervisors: ... tation to the Middlesex County School Board in December con-cerning the program

Two public hearings will be held Tuesday, January 17, to correct possible procedural errors on the recent rezoning of Rosegill plantation near Urbanna.

The fi rst hearing will address some of the issues raised by a recent lawsuit that chal-lenges the Rosegill rezoning, which was granted by the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors on August 16, 2005.

The second hearing deals with a special exception application that would allow 108 multi-family dwellings in the development. This request was granted by the board of supervisors in September, 2005.

The hearings will be at 7:30 p.m. on Janu-ary 17 in the Middlesex High auditorium.

Rezoning Rosegill from Low Density Rural to Village Community allows 700 dwellings on the 848-acre parcel over a 10-

year period.The Rosegill rezoning process took over

a year to complete as opponents sought and gained concessions from developers Diane Cox Basheer and Kenneth O. Thompson.

Basheer and Thompson, trustees of Rosegill, said they hoped the “rehearing” will eliminate “minor technical issues” of the original rezoning process. “We are pleased that the board of supervisors decided today to go through the rehearing process on Rosegill to correct any possible procedural errors regarding their rezoning decision,” said Basheer and Thompson through a press release on Tuesday. “By holding a rehearing, the board will be able to render moot any minor technical issues. We believe this rep-resents the fastest way to resolve the court suit and enable us to begin the development of the Rosegill community for the benefi t of

Middlesex County.”Basheer and Thompson are “intervening

respondents,” fi ghting the lawsuit on the side of the county and respondents and property owners Alfred P. Scott and R. Strother Scott, who have a contract to sell Rosegill to the developers.

Lawsuit fi ledUrbanna residents Robert L. Montague III

and Roger S. Martin fi led a lawsuit on Sep-tember 15, 2005 asking the Middlesex Circuit Court to invalidate the board of supervisors’ rezoning action of August 16—the night the board voted 4-1 to rezone 521 acres of the Rosegill parcel from Low Density Rural to Village Community.

Complainants Montague and Martin also are seeking court costs.

In November, Middlesex County Attorney

Words of rhythmSEE PAGE 3

Bus ines s D i re c to r y . . B4Ca lendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8C la s s i f i eds . . . . . . . . . . . . . B5

En te r ta inment . . . . . . . . . 6Schoo l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B2Soc ia l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Spor t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1In

side Christmas

FriendsSEE PAGE 10

Blood DriveJANUARY 10

Vol. 111, No. 40 Urbanna, Virginia 23175 • January 5, 2006 Two Sections • 50¢

www.ssent inel .comServing Middlesex County and adjacent areas of the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck since 1896

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by Tom Chillemi

Twin titlesBoth the Middlesex High School boys and girls teams won the championships of the Middlesex Holiday Basketball Invitational last week in Saluda. Above, Charger guard Antonio Hodges soars to the basket past a King and Queen defender in the boys’ 56-40 win. For more details, see page B1 inside. (Photo by Tom Hardin)

Millerelectedchairman

by Larry S. Chowning

John D. (Jack) Miller Jr. of Saluda District was unani-mously elected chairman of the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

Miller was fi rst elected to the board in 1995 and is in his third term. He served on the school board from 1987 to 1991 and was chairman of the school board in 1990.

“Thank you so much for your vote of confi dence in me,” Miller told his fellow supervisors fol-lowing the vote. “I will try to do the very best I can for you and the citizens of Middlesex.”

Miller replaces Pinetop Dis-trict supervisor Fred Crittenden as board chairman.

Supervisors also elected Wayne Jessie of Jamaica District as vice chairman, and agreed to con-tinue to hold board meetings on the fi rst Tuesday of each month during the day and on the third Tuesday of each month at night.

The board also welcomed Robert Crump, the newly-elected Saluda District supervisor, to his fi rst offi cial meeting. Crump was elected to the seat in November and is replacing the late Lee Weber.

In other matters at Tuesday’s board meeting, supervisors:

• Agreed to interview Scott Rae and Jason Bray, the two appli-cants for a seat on the Tidewater Soil and Water Conservation Dis-trict Board, before making a fi nal decision on an appointment.

(See Board, page 2)

The 2005 Christmas season is over but some memories will last a lifetime, such as the stunning light display at Mason Realty in Deltaville. Created by Stephen Blue, the display featured about 24,000 lights and 11 trees ranging in height from 5 to 20 feet. The display drew about 75 amps of electricity. Late at night, when the lights of other nearby stores were out, the nativity scene and light display (above) were especially striking.

A Christmas memory

The Middlesex County School System joined forces in Sep-tember with three other school systems to consider starting a Regional Career and Technical Education Center in the area.

Rebecca Gates, the former Middlesex High School prin-cipal and the current assistant superintendent of instruction at King William High School, along with King William School Board chairman Kathy Morrison and West Point town councilman Charlie Gordon made a presen-tation to the Middlesex County School Board in December con-cerning the program.

Gates reported that several businesses approached the King William County Public Schools through the school system’s Career and Technical Educa-tion Advisory Committee about a need for trained students who could become a part of the future workforce.

“In recent years, the momen-tum to provide career and tech-nical education has increased through Governor Warner’s ini-tiative for all students to have viable alternatives to preparation in four-year college programs,” said Gates.

“We wanted to investigate and identify programs to produce stu-dents who could obtain an indus-try certifi cation and advanced diploma upon graduation as well

as opportunities for adult educa-tion through evening classes,” she said.

Gates said King William High School and other schools offer some CTE courses, and some King William students are travel-ing to Richmond Technical Center (RTC) for additional opportuni-ties. It is currently costing King William schools $1,749 per stu-dent to attend RTC and between $60,000 and $80,000 annually.

However, no system can offer the wealth of courses available through the Virginia Department of Education, and travel time to RTC prohibits King William stu-dents from pursuing an advanced diploma due to scheduling con-fl icts, she said.

“We determined if resources were pulled together in our region, a wider variety of courses could be offered to meet the employment needs of the localities as well as offer valuable career opportuni-ties to our students,” said Gates.

She also said that representa-tives of the King William Advi-sory Committee made visits to established technical training centers in Nottoway, Amelia and Spotsylvania counties.

Gates said members of the committee would attempt to secure funding when the General Assembly convenes in January 2006 and committee members have met with Delegate Ryan McDougle and Delegate Harvey

Middlesex asked to join effort in establishing technical center


(See Center, page 2)

The creeks, coves and guts of the tidal waters of Middlesex County often provide spellbinding, picturesque settings as the sun rises and sets.

Diane Q. Neary of Cleveland, Ohio, captured one of those unforgettable moments this summer when she was visiting her aunt and uncle, Betty and Herbert Quinn at their home near Remlik.

Neary caught the sun “just right” on LaGrange Creek and ended up winning third place in a national photo contest for her shot. “Air Link” magazine, a global news magazine for Air BP employees and contractors, sponsored the photo contest.

The winning photo was a “Montana Morn-ing”; second place was “Palm Sunset” in Hawaii; and Neary’s third place fi nish was titled “Sunrise in Remlik, Virginia.”

Neary said she has been coming to visit the Quinns since the 1970s and for the past four years the families have been getting together in the summer for a week in Remlik.

“Sunrise in Remlik, Virginia”


Remlik is setting for photo winner“There are three generations and 20 to 25

people each summer,” said Neary. “It’s great for all the children and cousins to get to know their relatives.

“This summer the day before we made the trip from Ohio to Virginia an e-mail came across my desk at work from Air BP about the photo contest, and the subject was “Sunrise or Sunset.”

“I got up early one morning and shot a few pictures and one turned out to be a winner,” she said. “I love to take pictures and I had just started using a digital camera.”

The winning photos appeared on the back page of Air Link magazine in living color and with a judge’s comments. There were 78 images submitted in the contest.

The judge said, “The subject theme of ‘Sun-rise/Sunset’ is one of the most popular sub-jects for amateur photographers, for the simple reason the natural beauty of a great sunrise or

(See Remlik, page 2)

ChristmasFriends Inc.exceeds goal

Once again the community has donated enough money to exceed the goal of Christmas Friends Inc.

So far this Christmas season, $22,139.94 has been donated, eclipsing the goal of $20,000. It is the second highest amount ever donated in Christmas Friends’ 20-year history. (The all-time record was $24,176.89 donated in 2003.)

The near-record donations will mean a brighter Christmas for the less fortunate children and elderly of Middlesex in 2006.

Volunteers purchased, wrapped and delivered hundreds of Christmas gifts to the needy of Middlesex this year. (See special recognition on page 10.)

Donations will continue to be accepted at any time of the year. Donations should be made pay-able to Christmas Friends Inc., c/o Southside Sentinel, P.O. Box

(See Christmas, page 2)

(See Rosegill, page 3)

County supervisors to consider same Rosegill rezoning, again

2 • Southside Sentinel • Urbanna, Va. • January 5, 2006

One Woman’s Opinionby Mary Wakefield Buxton

Published in the Interest of the Territory Lying South of the Rappahannock River

RAPPAHANNOCK PRESS, INC., PublisherFrederick A. Gaskins, President and PublisherElizabeth Lee C. Gaskins, Secretary/Treasurer

John Thomas Hardin, Editor

Staff: Larry S. Chowning and Tom Chillemi, General Assignment Reporters; Anita Minuth, Advertising Manager; Neil Gabbert and Deborah Haynes, Advertising Representatives; Julie H. Burwood, Art Director; Jayson R. Brown, Graphic Designer; Sally A. Kingsley and Connie G. Walton, Compositors; Peggy Baughan, Circulation and Classified Manager; Geanie Longest, Customer Ac-counts Manager.

The Southside Sentinel (USPS 504-080) is published each Thursday except Christ-mas week. Periodicals postage paid at Urbanna, Va. 23175. Subscriptions: $19 per year in Middle Peninsula Counties and $25 per year elsewhere; six-months: $14 in Middle Peninsula Counties and $19 elsewhere.

Phone, Fax and Email: Phone: 758-2328; Fax: 758-5896; Editorial: [email protected]; Advertising: [email protected]; Classifieds: [email protected]; Subscriptions: [email protected] and website: www.ssentinel.com.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Southside Sentinel, P.O. Box 549, Urbanna, Va. 23175

Pluck, Perseverance and Progress

Urbanna, Va.— The new year has arrived and left us filled with hope for peace, health, prosper-ity, and democracy and the pursuit of happiness for all.

It’s a good time too to wish my readers along with some very special people a happy new year.

First and always Cheers! to Chip, who not only faithfully reads his wife’s opinion in the Sentinel each week, but hears it each morning as I serve breakfast. He is one great husband.

Cheers! to children Liz and Wake, spouses Fred and Lori, grandchildren Walker and Hayden, and two sisters, Alice and Georgia.

Cheers! to “Lady,” my golden retriever, and to “Strider,” that handsome devil from Richmond who sired eight pups with “Lady” last summer, and to “Lord Buxton,” the big male I kept, whose name quickly changed to . . . “Lord Have Mercy on my Soul.”

Cheers! to the good families from Northern Vir-ginia, Baltimore, Richmond, and Irvington, who took one of the pups. At 6 months old, they are all doing well.

Cheers! to President George Bush, so pillared now by so many, a man with a vision of a demo-cratic Middle East that will lead to peace. I sup-port his dream.

Cheers! to Tim Kaine, our new governor, with very best wishes for success from the loyal oppo-sition, and also to his in-laws who live in Weems, old friends from past campaigns, Linwood and Jinx Holton.

Cheers! to Jon Paulette, Middlesex County’s Democratic Committee chairman, who has done so much to build the party, and George Miller, chairman of the local GOP. May they continue to help nominate and elect good candidates for good government.

Cheers! to the Middlesex Board of Supervi-sors for working to keep our county great, and especially to its newest member, Bob Crump of Topping. Cheers! are also in order to Kenneth Williams for his re-election along with his lovely wife, “Sissy.”

Cheers! to the owners of Rosegill, Strother and Alfred Scott, and to developers, Ken Thompson and Diane Cox Basheer, who won approval for their upscale housing development.

Cheers! to Bob Montague of Urbanna and others who are sponsoring the legal effort to try and stop it.

Cheers! to Urbanna Mayor Ken Moore with special congratulations for his gorgeous gardens, and to all members of Urbanna Town Council with thanks for planning the waterfront marina and restoring the Urbanna Tobacco Warehouse.

Cheers! to good friends and neighbors every-where.

Cheers! to David and Christi Cottrell who will soon be moving into their new home, “Urbanna Light.”

Cheers! to Roger Anglin and Macey White Jr., recent candidates for the board of supervisors, who ran for office to inspire a healthy debate of issues and provide choices to the voters.

Cheers! to George Morris who recently brought a group of high school students to my home and cleaned out the shed; a program he organizes to help fund basketball uniforms for students.

Cheers! to Caroline and John Wake who hosted a party to introduce Ryan McDougle, a candidate to replace Bill Bolling’s newly vacated seat in the

State Senate. The election was Tuesday, so if you didn’t vote, you have missed your chance.

Cheers! to the Reverend Paul Andersen, new priest at Christ Church who arrived with his family from New England this month to replace Anne West, who has moved with her family to a new post in Northern Virginia.

Cheers! to Sheriff Guy Abbott and all members of the sheriff ’s department; your hard work to keep our county safe is appreciated, and to local rescue squads and fire departments that give untold hours to help in emergencies.

Cheers! to Louise Gray and her family in Saluda.

Cheers! to Fred Gaskins, my publisher; Tom Hardin, who edits my column; Connie Walton, Sally Kingsley and others at the Sentinel who double check my column; Geanie Longest, who helps market my books; and to fellow columnists such as Kaptain Krunch and Thyra Harris, who also share the weekly delight of meeting a dead-line.

Cheers! to Ruby Lee Norris who celebrated her 90th birthday last month by attending the White House Conference on Aging as the oldest member with the youngest ideas.

Cheers! to all those who work in charitable groups in our county, and to Blanche Scharf at the Yates House in Deltaville who sponsored my writ-ing seminar last fall and will do so again in April.

Cheers! to Sherry Inabinet, librarian, with spe-cial thanks for offering computer classes last year. And to Deltaville Maritime Museum that taught me how to build a boat last July in its summer camp program.

Cheers! to the Middlesex County Museum in Saluda for honoring the U.S. Marines and the new Chesty Puller stamp.

Cheers! to the Suyes family of North End Plan-tation and especially to Jerry, who last month gave his son a second gift of life, a kidney, defining once again what parents do for their children.

Cheers! to Jim and Bonnie Vautrout for their beautiful hotel complex on Urbanna Creek, and to Ed Ruark for his outstanding new store in Deltaville.

Cheers! to David’s Last Chance for catering a Nightrider’s dinner party for me last month and doing a terrific job. And to Jack Mulligan who played the keyboard for three straight hours with-out a break with congratulations on his Christmas Eve marriage to Joanie.

And to the Piankatank Golf Club that planned a perfect Christmas luncheon for the Middlesex Master Gardeners.

Cheers! to the Master Gardeners and to the new president Claire Milligan, Bob LaBoef of the U.S. Power Squadron, Evelyn Turner, new president of the River’s Club, and to the Fishing Bay Yacht Club.

Cheers! to Dr. Skinner who cares for my dogs; Drs. Nichols and Robusto, who look after me; Jan Dunlevy, who cuts my hair; Debbie Longest, who helps me keep the Pineapple Palace straight; Alma Sickal, who delivers the newspaper each morning; Buddy Burrell, postmaster of Urbanna, who deliv-ers my mail; and Pete Edwards who provides sani-tation services in Urbanna.

Lastly, cheers! to Brockett Muir Jr., M.D., chief muse to this ink-stained wretch, who challenges from the right, along with Bill Grove, retired trial attorney, who challenges from the left.

Happy New Year to one and all! ©2006

CHEERS!To the Editor:Earlier today (December 31) I

found a lost hunting dog huddled against the back of my nephew’s house, shivering and too weak to walk. She was skin and bones, had rheumy eyes, skin sores, a patchy coat, and was covered with fleas. Apparently her track-ing collar had ceased to function, indicating she had been lost for some time.

Because it was a Saturday, and vet offices were closed, I called Middlesex Animal Control. While waiting for this gentleman to arrive, I warmed her up (having wrapped her in a blanket and car-ried her to my car to bring her to my house) and gave her food and water. She ate ravenously, and drank a bowl of water.

Both the Sheriff’s Office and Animal Control were very help-ful, but as the Animal Control officer drove off with the dog, I was left with worries about her future. The officer had informed me that hunting dogs don’t have to wear tags, and that she would probably be returned to her owner. My question is this: Why is there such a low standard of care required for hunting dogs? To me, this is animal abuse.

This dog had obviously not been well cared for before it became lost, and her owner prob-ably could not have tried to find her when she became separated from the pack. I’m told the track-ing collars operate for about two days. Are these dogs even required to get the necessary shots? Who monitors their care? I hope that someone can answer these ques-tions for me.

Barbara Everton, Urbanna

To the Editor:Tis the day before, the night

before Christmas and today I purchased a nice, large, Have-A-Hart trap for my step-father. It was a very nice trap and it cost me more than a day’s wages. I put it in the bed of my truck and I went home. I left it in the truck thinking that tomorrow I would just arrive at my mother’s house and pretend it was a gift for my father-in-law. Rather than wrap it up, I would simply go out and bring it into the house when it came time for me to give my gift to my step-father.

Well, as I said, I went home. Later, at about 4:30 or 5 p.m., I went to a store in Deltaville, and someone stole my present for my step-father right out of my truck. This made me very, very, angry and I’ve spent the better part of this evening cursing the person who stole this present from my truck. I guess I have thought of pretty much every single insult I might call this person, but the one that keeps coming back to my mind is, “thief.”

Yes, Mr. Thief, I keep finding myself wanting to define you as a man who is incapable of under-standing the rights and privileges of other people. I keep finding myself wanting to define you as a man unworthy of any gift at Christmas.

Sir, I am sorry. I am wrong. In truth, we are all unworthy of the only gift that matters, at Christ-mas. I am sorry for being angry with you, sir, because the truth is that I am not worthy of the gifts I have received in this life. The truth is that a small, live animal trap is easily replaced, but the gifts that I have are something that can never be stolen, and that I never deserved at any time of year, least of all Christmas.

Sir, may I tell you about the gift we celebrate, the gift of Christ, the saviour, the one who sacrificed his life that, though we are all sinners, we might all live. The Christ, The Son of God, who was, who is, and who will be, that Christ who died on a cross 2,000 years ago that you and I might be able to love one another in spite of the issues between us. He was God.

Sir, you are welcome to that live trap. I do so hope that it is useful to you, that it serves your needs, and that you are comfort-able with it. Accept it from me, as my gift to you this Christmas. You see, sir, if that is all you have to be forgiven for in this life, you are a much better man than I ever was able to be.

Merry Christmas, God bless you.

Michael ErskineDeltaville

To the Editor:Our Founding Fathers’ eye-

brows probably would have reached their hairlines had they read Mary Buxton’s comment in her “One Woman’s Opinion” column in the December 15 Southside Sentinel.

Buxton said, “The concept of compromise is what separates our society from extremist totalitarian cultures that have no tolerance for individual freedom.”

While compromise has its time and place, individual freedom exits in the U.S. because George Washington and his militia refused to compromise. Abraham Lincoln wouldn’t compromise. And, Susan B. Anthony wouldn’t compromise. Someday individual freedom will exist for the unborn child because pro-lifers won’t compromise.

Our Declaration of Indepen-dence clearly states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created (not born) equal; that they are endowed by their Creator (not government) with certain unalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Without the right to life, a right to work, a right to property, a right to food are all illusions.

What naturally follows abor-tion on demand is involuntary euthanasia. Witness the killing by dehydration of the disabled American woman, Terri Shindler Schiavo, which was permitted by Florida judges at her husband’s direction and in the absence of any proof that she would rather be dead than disabled.

There’s no such thing as the little bit of legal killing of inno-cent human beings, which Buxton advocates.

What could be more extreme than doctors killing thousands of innocent unborn children daily when there are long lists of child-less couples waiting and longing to adopt these children? What could be more extreme than a country that permits husbands to direct the killing of wives with disabilities?

In a Democracy the government exists for the people. Unborn children and disabled Americans are people. The U.S. Senate ought to approve judges who abide by the Constitution and won’t com-promise the individual, unalien-able rights of all innocent men, women, and children.

Catherine V. DriscollChesapeake

To the Editor:The Historic Urbanna Christ-

mas House Tour Commit-tee would like to thank all the homeowners who opened their homes—Tom Williamson, Emily and Shep Chowning, Cerise and Lewis Hall, Susan and Lee Chewning, and Tansil and Wayne Johnson. We also want to thank the Middlesex Woman’s Club, the Urbanna United Methodist Church and the Urbanna Visitor’s Center.

Our special thanks to the deco-rators for their hours of labor and the beautiful Christmas creations that made the house tour excep-tional. We also would like to thank the hostesses for their help and graciousness.

This year was the most suc-cessful and attendance was the best ever.

The Historic Urbanna Christmas House Tour Committee

Letters to the Editor

On Tuesday, December 20, the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors voted to levy fees on taxpayers who do not file their annual form for tangible personal property, machinery and tools or mobile homes by the May 1 deadline.

For several years now, Mid-dlesex County Commissioner of Revenue Mary Lou Stephenson has encouraged supervisors to approve an ordinance to allow her office to charge a $10 penalty fee to those who do not file the forms on time.

Supervisors turned down the proposal last year because they felt there were already enough county fees on county taxpayers. However, the supervisors unani-mously adopted the proposal last month. It will take effect in 2006.

Stephenson said the county treasurer would collect the late fees by including them in annual personal property tax bills.

Stephenson has argued that many people “flat out” will not turn in the forms and this is cost-ing the county money. Without the form, she said, her office is unable to determine taxable prop-erty and this is costing the county personal property tax revenue.

She also noted it costs the county $5,000 annually to mail the forms to taxpayers, but her office only gets back about 60 percent of the forms.

A $10 penalty will be assessed for each personal property form sent to a resident that is not filled out and returned to the county office by May 1 of each year. There is usually more than one form in the envelope sent to tax-payers and each unreturned form will be tagged with a $10 late fee, noted Stephenson.

The ordinance does protect taxpayers from mistakes by the county office. “Penalty for fail-ure to file a return shall not be imposed if such failure was not the fault of the taxpayers,” the ordinance states.

The ordinance also allows supervisors to provide a reason-able extension of time, not to exceed 90 days.

Return forms on time or face $10 fee


Cheryl Minnick of Urbanna has resigned her position on the conservation board and Rae and Bray are both actively seeking the position.

• Learned that the Middle Pen-insula Jail Board voted against allowing Aqua Virginia to take over the jail’s sewage treatment system, even though it would have saved each of the five coun-ties that use the jail $15,000 a year. Aqua Virginia was willing to sign a six-year contract.

Currently, the treatment plant is operated by jail personnel.

“I want you to know that the two Middlesex County repre-sentatives and the sheriff of Mathews County voted for it, but it was denied on a 4-3 vote,” said supervisor Fred Crittenden, one of Middlesex’s representatives on the jail board.

“I can’t imagine any county turning down $15,000 a year,” said Crittenden. “We tried to get

the jail board to study the matter for a month or so, but they turned it down flat.”

Miller said he had talked to several supervisors from the other involved counties (Essex, King and Queen, King William and Mathews) and they were sur-prised the jail board turned down the offer. He said he hoped the jail board would reconsider.

• Learned from commissioner of revenue Mary Lou Stephen-son that a few businesses have ignored paying the business license fee for 2005.

Stephenson said she has sent letters to remind some business owners that it is a misdemeanor if the business license fee is not paid.

Stephenson asked county attor-ney Mike Soberick for direction in what action to take.

If taken to court, Soberick said the delinquent business owners would be subject to fines.

• Tabled action on making a pre-sentation to John Weber to honor his wife, the late Lee Weber, for her years of service as a county supervisor. Assistant county administrator Marcia Jones said the weather probably kept Mr. Weber from attending Tuesday’s meeting. The presentation will be rescheduled, she said.

• Took no action after meeting in closed session on the possible acquisition of land for a proposed wastewater treatment plant for the new courthouse. Engineers and others met with supervisors in the closed session.

Board elects Miller . . . (continued from page 1)

Morgan.Gates is asking for $10,000

from each of the four school divi-sions—Middlesex, King Wil-liam, West Point and King and Queen—to hire a coordinator to work to secure grants and educate the community on the benefits of the program.

Gates said the Town of West Point has already pledged $5,000 to go towards the development of a regional CTE program. The group has also begun to look for property in the Town of West Point to house the center.

Jason Perry, the assistant prin-cipal at Middlesex Elementary School and a member of the Middlesex CTE Committee, said he feels the proposed regional center would be of great benefit to students throughout the area and would offer an alternative that would be beneficial to all involved.

sunset is universally recognized.“The colors in the sky can

inspire both a sense of awe as well as a sense of serenity,” he wrote. “People just enjoy view-ing a wonderful sunrise/sunset.”

From the creek bank of LaGrange Creek came one of those wonderful images, and Neary caught it with her camera.

Center . . .(continued from page 1)

Remlik . . .(continued from page 1)

Who monitors their care?

Accept it fromme, as my gift

In this case, “compromise” is not the right choice

House tour support isappreciated

Employees of Revere Gas-Hartfield, $200.

Michelle and Claiborne Irby, $100.

Dr. Robusto, Kerry and Kelsey, $50.

In honor of Diane and Jimmy Ward by Virginia Spen-cer, $100.

Judith W. Willis, $25.In memory of Helen and Leo

Richardson, $500.Mr. and Mrs. William T.

Nicholson, $100.Anonymous, $50.Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert E.

Woodard Jr., $100.Mr. and Mrs. Alan W. Miller,

$25.Remembering Bill, Molly

and Booda by Lee Maurer, $100.

Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Stall-ings, $25.

In honor of my brother Neal Groom of Shadyside, Maryland, who grew up in Middlesex, for his 95th birth-day in January, $500.

Anonymous, $100.Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Tyr-

rell, $30.In memory of Ann Robert-

son Billington by Robin and Ed Starbird, $50.

Janet Carlton Weston, $100.Anonymous, $200.Rappahannock Civic Club

Inc.-DBA Community Boost-ers Club, $1,000.

Physicians and staff at Fishing Bay Family Practice-Deltaville, $230.

In memory of Beverly B. Silver by E. Charles Silver II, $100.

In memory and in honor of Tony Boyd, Middlesex County School Bus Driver by Julie Carson Colby, $50.

Elizabeth H. Merritt, $25.Michael and Lorna Ander-

berg, $100.Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Fisher II,

$50.Howard and Judy Adams,

$25.In memory of Gloria Vance

by Ken and Jane Vance, $100.John E. Mulligan, $50.Total received this week

$4,085.00Previously received

$18,054.94Total received to date

$22,139.94

549, Urbanna, VA 23175.A total of $4,085 was donated

over Christmas week through January 3.

Recent donations were made by:

Christmas . . .(continued from page 1)

McDouglewins in Middlesex

Middlesex County voters Tues-day sided with the state major-ity that elected Republican R.T. McDougle to the Fourth Dis-trict State Senate seat to fill the vacancy left by Bill Bolling, who was elected Leutenant Governor in November.

In Middlesex McDougle got 354 votes to 73 for Democrat R.G. Cavendish.

Of Middlesex County’s 7,143 voters, only about six percent (428) went to the polls for the special election.

It was erroneously reported in the December 22 Sentinel that Mizpah Health Nursing Home Inc. would provide water and sewer to a proposed townhouse development at Locust Hill. Mizpah will not provide sewer service, but will provide water to the townhouses if they are approved by county supervisors.

Correction

January 5, 2006 • Southside Sentinel • Urbanna, Va.• 3

Middlesex County native Ajani “A.J.” Ruffin is making a splash in both the literary and musical worlds.

A 1995 graduate of Middlesex High and 2002 graduate of Vir-ginia Union University, Ruffin recently published a book of poetry, “Some Knowledge,” and has teamed with two friends, Chris Gresham and Tony John-son, to also record a musical CD, “Doowilly Radio Album I.”

Ruffin is probably best remem-bered for his athletic accom-plishments at MHS—he starred in football, basketball and track and was an All-State performer on the 1993 state champion Char-ger football team. He attended Virginia Union on a full athletic and academic scholarship and started at fullback and punter on the VUU football team.

But Ruffin always had an inter-est in writing and music as well, and those skills began to blos-som while at Virginia Union. “My book is just the beginning,” said Ruffin last week. “I’m also working on a couple of novels and screenplays and another poetry book.”

by Tom Hardin

“Some Knowledge” is a 110-page collection of poems, all but one written by Ruffin. His sister, Deymara Ruffin, also has one poem in the book. Ruffin describes his book as “a group of fictional poems that are like a roller coaster ride . . . they go from here to there and uplift and motivate.”

Many of the poems come from his personal experiences while growing up near Cooks Corner

in Middlesex County. “They are all very positive,” he said.

One poem, “Believe in Your-self,” recently won the Editor’s Choice Award in the 2005 edi-tion of the International House of Poetry. “Believe in Yourself ” is an especially motivational poem that he had read to the Christchurch School football team this year as the Seahorses began the season undefeated.

“I taught and coached foot-ball at Christchurch from 2002 through 2004 and I still have close ties to the school,” he said. Ruffin’s cousin Delvon is a standout senior athlete at Christchurch.

He also had one of his poems read at the inauguration of Vir-ginia Union president Dr. Ber-nard Franklin a few years ago. “I See a Change” was a special request of Dr. Franklin himself.

“The book is doing well,” said Ruffin. “I’ve had orders from all over the East Coast and as far away as California and Florida.”

The book is sold via the inter-net at <[email protected]> and at Virginia Street Cafe in Urbanna and Vir-ginia Union. The cost is $20, or $25 for a mailed copy.

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Positive wordsMiddlesex man ’uplifts‘ with his poetry, music

Ajani “A.J.” Ruffin holds his new book of poetry.

“Some Knowledge” is dedi-cated to Ruffin’s parents, Gwen-dolyn Evonne Ruffin and Kelvin Lockwood Ruffin of Cooks Corner.

Ruffin’s publishing firm, “Doowilly Publishing,” has both a literary side and a musical side. Former Middlesex resident Chris Gresham of Richmond is the head of the musical side. “Chris is a musical genius,” said Ruffin.

Gresham, Ruffin and John-son, also of Richmond, have performed in shows at Virginia Union, Richmond, Washington, D.C., and Hampton. Their music is a mixture of soul, rhythm and blues, funk and hip-hop.

“I plan to continue with more positive words, either musical or written,” said Ruffin.

Ruffin, Gresham and John-son also serve as entertainment consultants for aspiring writ-ers and musicians. For more information, contact Ruffin at 804-516-4782 or Gresham at 804-512-3485.

Ruffin currently lives at Cooks Corner and works in Williamsburg as an informa-tion technology consultant with Optimize I.T.

The Middlesex County Board of Supervisors has approved a revised plan for tax relief for low-income county taxpayers 65 years and older and those deter-mined to be permanently dis-abled.

The new ordinance should increase the number of citizens eligible for the county’s “tax relief for the elderly” program.

The revised plan states those eligible for tax relief cannot have a total combined house-hold income exceeding $18,000, an increase of $3,000 from the $15,000 limit in the old ordi-nance.

It also states that $3,000 of income of each relative living in

More should be eligible under new ’tax relief for the elderly‘ guidelines

by Larry S. Chowning a house, other than spouse of the homeowner, shall not be included in the $18,000 total.

The combined financial worth of the owner and spouse living in the house cannot exceed $75,000. This includes the value of the dwelling and land. The limit in the old ordinance was $50,000.

Also, an automobile or pickup will be allowed the same percent-age of tax relief benefits as that qualifying individual is entitled to on real estate.

The scale for determining the amount of relief was revised too. Elderly households with less than $10,500 income are totally exempt from real estate tax. The former limit was $7,500.

Eighty percent of the tax is exempt in elderly households

when the joint income ranges from $10,501 to $13,000; 60 per-cent of the tax is exempt when the income range is $13,001 to $15,500; and 40 percent is exempt when the income range is $15,501 to $18,000.

“This is one of those ‘feel good things’ about local government,” said Saluda District supervisor Jack Miller. “We’d like to have as many people as possible take advantage of the tax relief pro-gram.”

In other action, supervisors:• Voted to allow those residents

of Piankatank Shores with legal driver’s licenses to use golf carts on the roads within the subdivi-sion. Supervisors have allowed this in one other location in the county, but recently voted down a

similar request in the Water View area due to safety concerns.

County attorney Mike Sober-ick said he visited Piankatank Shores and advised the area was appropriate for the use of golf carts.

• Voted to approve a six-year VDOT paved and unpaved sec-ondary road plan. The top paved secondary road project is Route 630 (Stamper’s Bay Road). The plan is to pave 1.0 mile of the road at an estimated cost of $2,212,100, and the second priority is to pave 1.2 miles of Route 629 (Stormont Road) at an estimated cost of $3,300,000.

The top unpaved second-ary road project is Route 650 (Montgomery Cove Lane), and the second priority is Route 615 (Braxton-Corr Road). Supervi-sors agreed to add Route 669 (Brandon Point Road) when a citizen informed them the road is in “deplorable condition.”

• Took no action on a proposal to allow the assessment of new buildings or structures at their full value when they are substan-tially completed and fit for occu-pancy by November 1 of the tax year.

• Voted to approve revisions to the land use taxation rules to cut down on the amount of paper-work involved.

Rosegill public hearings . . . (continued from page 1)

Middlesex businesses can use the Middlesex County website to calculate their business license tax, said county commissioner of the revenue Mary Lou Ste-phenson.

The county mailed a letter to all Middlesex businesses that were identified in 2005. This letter, which detailed the new gross receipt rates, can be used to apply for the 2006 business license, she said.

County offers help in calculating BPOLAnyone wishing to calculate

their own business license tax can go to the county website at <co.middlesex.va.us> and click on “New BPOL Information and Form,” then click on “Can I Download the Application Form.” This will open to the new rates and the second line on this page says, “Click here to open or download the BPOL Application Form.”

When the gross receipts are

entered on the appropriate line on this form, the tax will be fig-ured and entered in the column labeled “License Tax.”

The form can be filled out, printed and mailed to the office of the commissioner of the revenue, along with a check made out to the Treasurer of Middlesex County. Once this is done the 2006 BPOL stamp will be mailed to the business, said Stephenson.

A 15-year-old New Kent Middle School student was killed Monday, January 2, while crossing the highway after getting off an “after-school activities” school bus.

Fatima Concepcion Shanaa of Quinton was trans-ported to Virginia Commonwealth University Medi-cal Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Virginia State Police Trooper T.M. Cashin is investigating the crash and is being assisted by the Virginia State Police Motor Carrier Safety Team.

The crash occurred at 5:20 p.m. on Route 249 (New Kent Highway) west of Route 640 (Old Rox-bury Road) near Quinton.

The trooper’s investigation revealed the school bus was traveling westbound and had stopped in the traffic lane to discharge the student. As the student was crossing the highway, a 2006 Chevrolet pickup

traveling eastbound struck the student and knocked her to the ground. The pickup was operated by Fer-nando B. Curtis, 45, of Quinton. A second eastbound vehicle, a 2001 Jeep Cherokee operated by Carolyn F. Hayes, 57, of Eltham, then struck the student.

The school bus, a C2 Safetyliner, was being oper-ated by Thomas R. Minor, 69, of Quinton. Accord-ing to the New Kent County Superintendent of Schools, Minor has been placed on administrative leave, with pay, during the investigation.

Neither the driver of the school bus nor the driv-ers of the other two vehicles were injured. No stu-dents on the school bus were injured.

The crash is still under investigation. Witnesses at the scene indicated to the trooper the school bus loading lights were not activated at the time of the crash.

New Kent teen hit by two vehicles and killed after getting off school bus

Mike Soberick filed a legal response stating that the legal complaints did not have merit and asked that the case be dismissed.

At a December court hearing, the complainants were granted permission to file an “amended” bill of complaint, which was entered on December 29.

Among its 50-plus points, the amended com-plaint argues that rezoning to “Village Community” is counter to the county zoning ordinance’s defini-tion. “The village community is envisioned to be a relatively small, well-defined area with a low to moderate density mixture of residential, low-inten-sity commercial, and other community service uses such as churches and recreational areas.”

Montague and Martin argue, “The project is not ‘relatively small.’ In fact the project will create the largest residential community in the entire county.”

It will not be “low density” but will have about two units per acre, they contend. Also, “commercial and other community services” are excluded from the development by the proffers.

The lawsuit alleges the project would increase the county’s population by 15 percent.

According to the county’s public hearing notice, “The 2001 Middlesex Comprehensive Plan does not specifically identify a preferred location for residential development and does not provide a specific density limitation. The future land use map

identifies this parcel [Rosegill] as located within an Industrial Opportunity Area and a water and sewer study area.”

The bill of complaint also points out that prior to the June 21 public hearing “no information was provided to the public about the trust for which the developers were acting.”

The complaint also alleges the “proffers were not made or signed by the owners, but only the develop-ers.”

The final version of the proffers was submitted by the developers’ attorney the day of the public hearing and not made available to the public prior to the hearing, therefore the public was not able to properly “evaluate or comment” on them, according to the lawsuit.

The amended complaint also cites environmental concerns.

Another point raised by the complainants is that the board of supervisors’ public hearing was held 22 days after the notice was published, which is one day too many. According to State Code, the hearing must be held within 21 days of the notice.

The county has not filed a response to the amended complaints and Soberick declined to comment on them. Soberick’s December 20 legal response indi-cates the project is consistent with the county com-prehensive plan.

Advertise in the Southside Sentinel! Call 758-2328


Alive, at 3 p.m. at the W.T. Robinson/Sture G. Olsson Civic Auditorium in West Point. Call 843-3475 for more information.

January 16• Middlesex County Public Schools Closed in obser-vation of Martin Luther King Holiday.

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast sponsored by the Middlesex County Chapter of the NAACP at 9 a.m. at The Beacon in Topping. The theme for this grand occasion is “Making The Dream a Reality.” Dr. Oliver Spencer, Middlesex County School Superintendent, will be the speaker. Call Duane Ward at 758-1937 for more information.

Continuing EventsThursdays• Alzheimer’s Support Group meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at Bay Aging’s Urbanna office. Call Barbara Swain at 758-2386 for more information.• Airport Club at W75 of Hummel Field meets the first Thursday of the month at The Pilot House in Topping. Social hour at 6 p.m., pilot update at 7 p.m. Call 758-9500 for more information.• U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla 62 of Deltaville meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Training Center in Deltaville. Call Ron Simon at 758-4053 for more informa-tion.• Deltaville Community Association meets the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Deltaville Commu-nity Center.• Lower Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the firehouse in Deltaville.• Boy Scout Troop 341 meets every week at 7 p.m. at Christ Church Parish Hall. All are welcome to attend.• Grief and Loss Support Groups, offered by River-side Walter Reed Hospice, meets the first and third Thurs-day of the month in the hospital dining conference room. Call Pam at 693-8819 for more information.

Fridays• Webelos Den of Cub Scout Pack 370 meets every Friday at the home of den leader and Cubmaster Billings.

Saturdays• YMCA Teen Night for youth 13–18 years old, is held the first Saturday of the month at the YMCA in Hartfield. Call the YMCA at 776-8846 for more information.• Tsunami, a coffeehouse for entertainment and programs appealing to young people, is open the second Saturday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at Urbanna Baptist Church.• Middlesex Amateur Radio Group meets at 7:30 a.m. every week at Taylors Restaurant in Deltaville. Call Verlan Hall at 776-9353 for more information.

Mondays• Story Hour for 4–6 year olds is held every week at 10:30 a.m. at the Urbanna branch of the Middlesex County Public Library.• Kiwanis Club of Middlesex meets at 6 p.m. every week at the United Methodist Church in Urbanna. Call John Starke at 306-5620 for more information.• Bingo every week at 7 p.m. at the Deltaville Rescue Squad.• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) meets 7 to 9 p.m. the third Monday of the month at Urbanna Baptist Church. Call Charlene Winter at 725-0633 for more information.• Bear Den of Cub Scout Pack 370 meets the first and third Monday of the month at the YMCA in Hartfield.

Tuesdays• Rotary Club meets every week at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast at the Pilot House Restaurant in Topping. Call Chuck Ylonen at 776-6627 for more information.• Book Chats are held the first Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the Deltaville branch of the Middlesex County Public Library.• Northern Neck Support Group meets the first Tues-day of the month at 2 p.m. at the Orchard Senior Living Com-munity in Warsaw. Call 986-8073 for more information.• Rappahannock Sail & Power Squadron (RSPS) meets the third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Cole Training Center in Deltaville. Call Al Langer at 776-7427 for more information.• Middle Peninsula Brain Injury Support Group meets the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Riv-erside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester. Contact Theresa Ashberry for more information.• Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the Air Force, meets every week at 7 p.m. at Hummel Field in Topping. Call Frank Bernhardt at 435-6078 for more information.• Middlesex County Democrats meet the first Tuesday of the month at 8 p.m. at the Town of Urbanna Chambers. Call Sam Sawkins at 758-1606 for more information.• Cub Scouts meet the fourth Tuesday of of the month for the monthly pack meeting. Call Keith Billings at 758-2606 for more information.

Wednesdays• Gardenerds meet every week at 9 a.m. at Holly Point Nature Park to care for the Park. Call the Museum at 776-7200 for more information.• Knitters Group meets every week at 10 a.m. at Urbanna United Methodist Church.• Story Hour for 4–6 year olds the first and third Wednes-day of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the YMCA in Hartfield.• Tiger and Wolf Dens of Cub Scout Pack 370 meet the first and second Wednesday of the month at the YMCA in Hartfield.

Please email your event to <[email protected]> by Friday for consideration. Please keep your Continuing Event current.

• Fruit and Nut Sale Kilmarnock Seventh-Day Adventist Church is continuing its annual fruit and nut sale through March. Call 435-1369 or 435-1252 to place an order.

January 5• Yang Style T’ai Chi Classes will be offered from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday evenings at Katybugs in Urbanna beginning Thursday, January 5, and continuing each Thurs-day through February 23. Call 758-1820 to register and for more information.

January 7• Middlesex Master Gardeners will present a pro-gram on “Proper Pruning Techniques for Shrubs and Trees” from 10 a.m. until noon. All programs of the Winter Lecture Series are open to the public and will be held at the Church of the Visitation on Route 33 at Harmony Village.

January 9• Middlesex County Woman’s Club meets at 1:30 p.m. Penny Lawson from Hands Across Middlesex will challenge the club with needs of local families and how club members can join hands to help. She will also share surprising accomplishments of the organization. Middlesex County Woman’s Club members are urged to attend this first regular meeting of 2006.

January 9 & 16• Basic Photoshop Tom Norris, a well-known photogra-pher who exhibits his work at the Studio Gallery, will offer the popular course Basic Photoshop January 9 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call the Studio Gallery at 436-9309 to sign up and for more information.

January 10• Small Business Training Course sponsored by the Middle Peninsula Business Development Partnership (MPBDP). Call Candie Newman at 758-4917 for more infor-mation.

• Blood Drive The River Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Urbanna Baptist Church from 1 to 7 p.m. All eligible donors are asked to give “the gift of life.” Another blood drive will be held January 17.

• Urbanna Business Association meets at 5:45 p.m. in town council chambers.

January 10 & 11• More Basic Drawing Deltaville artist Kathleen Noffsinger will be teaching “More Basic Drawing” from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. both days. This class is for all skill levels from beginner to advanced. Call the Studio Gallery at 436-9309 for more information.

January 11• Gardenerds will be back in the park with the Middlesex Master Gardeners’ for an 11 a.m. program.

January 13• Middlesex County Public Schools Closed in obser-vance of Lee/Jackson Day.

January 14• Apple Seeds, a Mac User Group, meets at 10:30 a.m. at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury, in Irvington. Meet-ings are informal and anyone who is a Mac user or aspires to be is welcome to attend. Email <[email protected]> for more information.

• Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship All boys and girls ages 10–14 are invited to participate in the local level competition of the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship, which will be held at 2 p.m. in the Middlesex High School gymnasium. Call Bob Hartman at 758-5554 for more information.

• Concerts By The Bay, a non-profit, community con-cert association, serving the Middle Peninsula and adjoin-ing communities presents: Edgar Cruz, an award-winning acoustic guitarist at 8 p.m. in the Mathews High School auditorium. Students with ID are admitted free. Visit <con-certsbythebay.org> for more information.

• Habitat for Humanity will hold its annual Spaghetti and Meatballs, Chicken Dinner Dance/Silent Auction at The Beacon in Topping from 6 to 11 p.m. Call Jim Ritter at 776-6226 for more information.

January 15• Edgar Cruz classical guitarist, presented by Arts

Community

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Marines to meetThe Northern Neck Detach-

ment of the Marine Corps League will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Thurs-day, January 5, at the Callao fire-house on Route 360.

Former Marines and those currently serving in the Corps who want to associate with Marines from the “Old Corps” may call Kevin Maloy at (804) 580-3803 for further informa-tion.

UBA meets TuesdayThe Urbanna Business Asso-

ciation will meet at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, in town council chambers.

NAACP plans ‘King Breakfast’ January 16

The Middlesex County Chapter of the NAACP is sponsoring a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast at 9 a.m. on Monday, January 16, 2006 at The Beacon in Topping.

The theme for this grand occa-sion is “Making The Dream a Reality.”

Dr. Oliver Spencer, Middlesex County School Superintendent, will be the speaker.

The cost of breakfast is $15. Tickets are now on sale. Call Duane Ward at 758-1937 for details.

As construction continues for the new Lord Delaware and Eltham bridges, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is reminding motorists, especially commuters, to expect up to 20 to 30-minute delays on Route 33 and through the Town of West Point. Delays may be longer if there is a scheduled bridge opening or train crossing during rush hour.

Since the start of construc-tion, delays have been minimum; however, at the end of November when a third temporary traffic light was added at Kirby Street to handle the southbound detour of Route 30, motorists have been

experiencing up to 20 to 30-minute delays, especially during peak travel times.

VDOT does not allow the con-tractor to close lanes of traffic on Route 30 or in the Town of West Point between the hours of 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3:30 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and during the summer months there will be no lane closures allowed after 12 noon on Fridays.

The new West Point bridges over the Pamunkey River in King William County (Eltham Bridge) and the Mattaponi River in King and Queen County (Lord Delaware Bridge) are being built adjacent to the existing bridges

on Route 33 going to the Town of West Point, and the existing Route 33 through the Town of West Point is being widened to five lanes with the center lane for left turning traffic.

The new Mattaponi bridge contract has a completion date of November 1, 2006, and the new Pamunkey bridge and the widen-ing in town has a completion date of November 1, 2007. Both proj-ects are on schedule. It is antici-pated that the new bridge over the Mattaponi will open to traffic in August 2006 and the new bridge over the Pamunkey will open to two lanes of traffic (one in each direction) in February 2007. The contractors for each project will still have considerable work to do on the approaches and streets through town after the new bridges open to traffic.

Once the bridge over the Pamunkey is opened, traffic will no longer have to stop for train crossings or bridge openings, which currently add significant unanticipated travel time going to or through the Town of West Point.

West Point delays to continue for months


by Sherry B. InabinetExecutive Director

Happy 2006! The start of a new year is tradi-tionally the time to adopt new goals and plan new adventures. As you plan for 2006 please note some of the activities available at your library.

In late January Great Decisions will start a new season of Friday sessions at the Deltaville Branch. This group, which has been meeting for many years and boasts participants from several coun-ties, discusses current political, economic and social issues, often with the assistance of some great speakers. Everyone is invited to participate. Come and make some new friends.

The Poetry Group meets at Urbanna on second Tuesdays. This group has also met for many years. Participants bring poems to share or simply listen to others read poetry. Some members of the group have authored poems; whereas others just enjoy a poetry experience. Everyone is invited to partici-pate.

For our 4 and 5 year olds, we offer Story Hour in Urbanna on Mondays at 10:30 a.m., and also on first and third Wednesdays at the YMCA. Laura Holland leads these programs, which are a com-bination of book sharing, music and finger plays. Parents and other caregivers are invited to bring their children.

On Thursday, February 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Cindy Edgerton, nationally acclaimed quilting teacher, will present a workshop at the Deltaville Branch. The focus will be on English paper piecing hexagons to make a flower garden. This project is totally completed by hand, requires no previous quilting knowledge, and is a very por-table project to take along when you travel. I took this class several years ago and found it to be great fun.

The cost of this class is $15, plus $5 for a kit (or you may bring your own fabric scraps). You will only need to bring scissors, thread, and thin sewing needles. Enrollment is limited, so I encourage you to sign up as soon as possible.

Cindy has developed a quilting pattern line for McCalls patterns and her “A Very Special Collec-tion” of unique patterns. In addition to the hexagon flower garden, she will also feature the apple core and clamshell paper piecing patterns. We are very fortunate to schedule Cindy for this session and I hope you will take advantage of this rare oppor-tunity.

Just before the holidays new books were flying off the shelves. We hope you are enjoying these. Now that we are settling back into a routine, per-haps, you will have more time for reading. We look forward to serving you during 2006!

Happy reading!

Library News

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The marriage of Joan Hub-bard Chamberlain of St. Paul, Minnesota, and John Emerson Mulligan of Urbanna took place Saturday, December 24, 2005 at Watermen’s Park in Urbanna. The ceremony was performed by radio personality Tom Davis,

friend of the groom.Serving as witnesses were

Cynthia and Frank Guzzi and Glenna and Roy Pace of Saluda.

Following a honeymoon in Florida, the couple will reside at the groom’s home in Urbanna.

Mr. and Mrs. John Emerson Mulligan

Mulligan-Chamberlain vows given

Hands officialto addressWoman’s Club

The Middlesex County Wom-an’s Club will meet Monday, January 9, at 1:30 p.m.

Penny Lawson from Hands Across Middlesex will challenge the club with needs of local fami-lies and how club members can join Hands to help. She will also share surprising accomplish-ments of the organization.

Middlesex County Woman’s Club members are urged to attend this first regular meeting of 2006.

‘Apple Seeds’to meet Jan. 14

Apple Seeds, a Mac user group, will meet Saturday, January 14, at 10:30 a.m. at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury, in Irvington.

Meetings are informal and anyone who is a Mac user or aspires to be is welcome to attend.

Email <[email protected]> for more information.

Master Gardeners to sponsor pruning clinic

It is a new year and never too early to be thinking about care and maintenance of the plants in your yard and landscape.

The Middlesex Master Garden-ers will hold a pruning clinic on Saturday, January 7, at the Church of the Visitation in Middlesex County on Route 33 just east of Harmony Village. The program will be from 10 a.m. until noon.

The Master Gardener Teach-ing Team from York County will be on hand to lead discussions and speak on proper pruning

techniques for trees and shrubs in the area. Part of program will be outside, so attendees should dress appropriately and are encouraged to bring their own hand-pruning tools.

Other lectures planned this winter are “Day Lilies” on Feb-ruary 25, 2006 beginning at 10 a.m., and “Mosquitoes and Their Control” on March 25 beginning at 1 p.m.

The program is open to the public. Call 758-4120 for more information.

Virginia Tech‘Tideneck Alumni’plan dinner

The annual winter dinner of the Virginia Tech Alumni, Tideneck Chapter, will be held Friday, Janu-ary 20, at Lowery’s Restaurant in Tappahannock. Please note, the dinner date has been moved from last year when it was announced.

Dr. James I. Robertson Jr., Alumni Distinguished Professor of History and Executive Direc-tor of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies, will speak on “Vir-ginia Tech and the Civil War.”

The social hour begins at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Early signup is recommended. For more informa-tion and to RSVP by January 16, contact Cliff Mullin at (804) 394-9851 or <[email protected]>. Alumni are encouraged to support the Chapter Scholarship Fund and to RSVP soon due to limited seating.

Alumni are also invited to “Hokie Day at the General Assem-bly.” Alumni will visit legislators on February 1 in Richmond. For more information, contact Betty Lee at <[email protected]>.

Great Decisions to begin Jan. 27 at Deltaville Library

With the opening session scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 27, and weekly sessions through mid-March, the popular Great Decisions discussion series again will be offered at the Deltaville Library.

The local program is one of many conducted around the country in cooperation with the Foreign Policy Associa-tion. Initiated some 16 years ago by Beth Thompson and the late Judy Rosquist, it has been described by one enthusiastic participant as “the best kept secret in Middlesex County.” Current chairman of the series is Preston Philyaw, retired DuPont executive.

Topics for discussion in the 2006 series are U.N. Reform, the U.S. and Iran, Energy, Brazil, China and India: Partners or Competitors, Human Rights in the Age of Terrorism, Turkey, and Pandemics and Security. Among the discussion lead-ers for the 2006 series are Bob LeBoeuf for the “Energy”

session; Fernando Atienza, Pandemics; Robert Jackson, Turkey; and Jim Barketz, China and India. Anyone who wishes to volunteer to lead one of the other discussions may contact Philyaw at 776-9443.

While there is no charge for participation in the discussion group, those attending may pur-chase guidebooks supplied by the Foreign Policy Association that provide up-to-date back-ground information on each of the topics. A $20 contribution covers the cost of the guidebook and helps defray the cost of refreshments.

Group participants and others are invited to make use of the highly praised British weekly, “The Economist,” a subscription to which has been provided the Deltaville Library by the Great Decisions group.

Serving with Philyaw on the Great Decisions committee are Connie Harris, Tom Harris, Beth Thompson, George Miller, Bob LeBoeuf and Pat Perkinson.

Blood Driveat Urbanna Baptist Church, Tuesday, January 10 from 1–7 p.m.

The Middlesex County School Board will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, January 9, at the Cooks Corner Office Complex.

MiddlesexSchool board meets Monday


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The Lancaster Community Library’s 11th season of “Sun-days at Two” will open Sunday, January 8, as Bonnie Rumsey will relate her experiences and show slides of her recent visit to a remote area of ethnic China.

A dedicated traveler, Rumsey has previously visited Nepal, Tibet, India, Ecuador, Burkina Faso, Mali, Myanmar and Laos. She shares her stories and slides as her “passion for travel to remote places continues to feed her spirit.”

Rumsey has studied at the Santa Fe Workshops with award-winning photographer Nevada Wier. In March 2005 she joined Nevada’s group of photographers to explore Guizhou Province, a little-known corner of China.

Much time was spent with the Miao, one of the province’s larg-est ethnic groups, whose clans live in relative isolation most of the year. However, during their colorful spring festivals, the Miao dress in their finest embroidered costumes, often decorated with pounds of silver, and the young people court prospective partners

Adventure Photographer to open ‘Sundays at Two’

Bonnie Rumsey visits with villagers in a remote corner of China.

from other clans.The travelers’ adventure took

them to a number of different villages, festivals, markets and homes. Welcomed by the Miao, they were greeted with shouts, music and rice wine. At times, the travelers hiked steep trails for hours to reach a destination where there were only the most basic and rustic accommoda-tions.

On January 15, Brian Latell will discuss “After Fidel: the Inside Story.”

On January 22, Albert Pollard Jr. will talk about “Bay pollution sources: Our best guess.”

On February 12, author Phyl-lis McClure will discuss “Ros-enwald Schools in the Northern Neck.”

On February 19, Bill Gurley and Friends will present “Blue-grass Fiddling, Rhythm and Roots.”

On March 8, professor Mar-garet Devinney will discuss “Mythology: How the ancients explained the world.”

Programs begin at 2 p.m. at the library in Kilmarnock.

Spreading Christmas cheerThe “North of the York River Riders” club gave gifts for Christ-mas to the Middlesex County Social Services to help spread holiday cheer throughout the county. “It is the goal of our members to help our community as much as possible and we know that every little bit helps,” said a club spokesperson. “We would like to thank Millie Hampton and the Department of Social Services for allowing us to help make Christmas spe-cial for families within the county.” North of the York River Riders is a small group of family and friends who enjoy getting together to ride motorcycles and socialize. New members are welcome.

Abingdon Episcopal Church on Route 17 at White Marsh in Gloucester County will host Anne O’Byrne, soprano, and Hope Armstrong Erb, pianist, in the seventh concert this season in the Arts at Abingdon Series. The concert will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 22, at the church. Admission is free, but a free-will offering will be taken.

International performers, Irish soprano Anne O’Byrne and pia-nist/conductor Hope Armstrong Erb began performing song recitals together in 2003 when O’Byrne moved to Virginia from the U.K. O’Byrne’s exten-sive opera work and love of the recital repertoire combine with Erb ‘s wide range of experience in chamber music and choral

Concert at Abingdon Churchto feature soprano, pianist

conducting to create magical and moving performances. The program will include art songs, opera arias, Irish folk songs and a special set celebrating Mozart’s 250th birthday.

Seating is limited, so please arrive early. For further informa-tion, call the Abingdon Church office at 693-3035.

Upcoming concerts in the 2005-2006 Arts at Abingdon concert season include Marvin Western (clarinetist) on February 19, the St. Thomas Choir of Men and Boys (admission charged) on March 9, and Rebecca McNutt and Alisa Bohon (dual pianists) on April 2.

Please note that tickets are selling rapidly for the St. Thomas Choir concert.

Tickets are $15.

by T.D. HarrisResolutions have been made

and the day to start carrying them out has passed. Well, it was raining so walking was out because who could find the rain-coats under all of the other coats. Weight Watchers doesn’t start for another few days so might as well live it up while waiting. Besides, what would we do with all of that expensive candy?

AA meets somewhere every night and as soon as all of the open bottles of booze are gone that might be a good idea. Reso-lutions are just wishes for a better person, and who knows if we really would like a better person? Does being thin really make for a better person? Oh, we are talking healthy this year. Okay, healthy resolutions. Maybe paying atten-tion would be a good resolution. Or resolving to read directions when opening a “put it together” package.

My “friend” gave me a dremel. Why does a little ole lady need a dremel? To do the dogs’ nails. And not just a dremel. It needs to be quiet and that means a dremel with an attachment that can be used further away from the dogs so as to not frighten them. Hurd’s was the answer. The wrapping was beautiful and under the tree the present looked like the rest of the “girlie” presents. But opened it was a serious tool with a case and many little parts in plastic bags. But not having made the resolu-tion to read directions yet, it was a cinch to put together. Except there was no wrench in the space with the picture of the wrench. But then Theresa said that she would like to take a look at it before it was all put back in the bags, etc. Right away she picked up the directions and read that the wrench was in one of the plastic bags. She took

Around Deltavilleeverything apart and laid out the parts and read the directions, put the dremel together and handed it to me quietly with no smart com-ments. The only problem with the dremel is that it has to be taken apart and put back in the case when I am not using it, and that means being able to find the direc-tions the next time it is needed.

The next really wonderful pres-ent came from Rochester, N.Y., and was referred to as an *&%$ box. Martha probably enjoyed calling and telling about packing it as much as she enjoyed packing it. She told all of her friends what she was sending and to whom. The joke was spreading far and wide. Each gift had to be unwrapped in the order it was packed and each gift was either chocolate candy or cookies or some other delicious goodie that was fattening. The last gift filled the entire bottom of the box and was rather heavy. Know-ing it was a four-pound box of chocolates from a favorite store in Rochester, I carefully took it out only to unwrap a scale. You know what they say about payback.

There were no swimmers this New Year’s Eve at my “friend’s” home. Can’t say whether the sanity or the insanity was taking over. There was little excitement. We watched the ball drop with friends and wished each other a Happy New Year.

The Reverskis came down for lunch with their two children, Ste-phen and Madison. Stephen wore us all out. Snowball, Theresa’s cat, had never seen a little boy and she was taken with him. They love coming down so hopefully we will be seeing more of them this year.

“A great deal of talent is lost in the world for want of a little cour-age.”

Fair winds.

Bay Aging recently received a $5,000 grant award from the Rite Aid Foundation in support of the agency’s MedCarry program. MedCarry is entirely volunteer driven and the funds received for the program go directly to mileage reimbursements.

The MedCarry program began in 2000 in response to provide non-emergency transportation for people who might other-wise seriously compromise their health and well being through their lack of transportation. The program, which is not based on age, serves those who are underinsured, uninsured, and the elderly.

From October 2004 through September 2005, Medcarry pro-vided 290 transports totaling 22,085 miles. Dedicated people voluntarily use their personal vehicles to transport people to their weekly dialysis treatments and cancer treatments; they transport people to doctors, hos-pitals, clinics and pharmacies.

Residents of all ages, who have no other means of transpor-

As an expression of con-cern and caring for those less fortunate than themselves, Rappahannock Community College’s Warsaw Campus Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society decorated an “Angel Tree” in the student lounge at Warsaw.

Co-presidents Rose Jones and Karen Turner, who both live in Westmoreland County, asked that county’s social ser-vices department for the names of underprivileged children, and each child was represented by a card on the tree. RCC fac-ulty and staff were invited to pick a card and buy a gift or gifts for that child, or make a monetary donation. Between $700 and $800 worth of gifts were collected for nine boys

Bay Aging awarded grant from Rite Aid Foundation

tation, are referred to Bay Aging by human service agencies, community groups, churches and concerned individuals. Bay Aging then makes the link between the person(s) needing the transportation and a volun-teer driver. Drivers use their per-sonal vehicles and donate their time to this important effort.

Those interested in becom-ing involved in the MedCarry program or who know of some-one who could benefit from this service, should call (toll free) a regional care coordination office. On the Middle Peninsula call 1-800-693-6109 and on the Northern Neck call 1-800-493-0238.

Bay Aging is a non-profit, charitable organization whose mission is to help people, as they age, live independently and safely in their own home for as long as possible. For more infor-mation on Bay Aging’s other programs and services, call the numbers listed above or Bay Aging’s main office at 758-2386, or visit <bayaging.org>.

RCC associations sponsor Angel Trees

and five girls in what faculty sponsor Karen Newtzie calls the “forgotten age group” of 10 to 14. “We plan to support other counties too, for future Christ-mases,” said Jones and Turner.

RCC’s Support Staff Associa-tion (SSA) sponsored a similar tree on RCC’s Glenns Campus for children in Mathews, Middlesex and Gloucester counties. Six girls and three boys, ages 2 through 17, received gifts. Some were chil-dren of RCC students, while the other names came from a local church.

Gift coordinator Christine Taylor, representing the SSA, expresses her heartfelt thanks to the givers, “for your gener-osity and blessings for the chil-dren.”

The Northern Neck Free Health Clinic embarks on the New Year with many challenges, according to executive director Jean Nelson.

With a 2006 budget of $909,050, the clinic, among other things, will be moving the dental clinic to a full-time operation.

As of January 1, the Medicare D program goes into effect. John Wilson, who has coordinated a prescription program for Medicare patients, said this will be a very difficult transition from the pres-ent clinic pharmacy program to the Medicare D program. There will be gaps in the new program that the clinic will seek to fill, but the gaps are yet to be defined. During the process, the clinic will move from providing Medicare prescrip-tions to an advocate and advisor role.

“We are doing everything pos-sible to help Medicare patients by having Social Security representa-tives and Medicare case workers come to the clinic to train volun-teers to help patients make the best choices,” said Wilson.

Another challenge that concerns the board of directors is that there is a waiting time of four months for the clinic to be able to accept new patients, said Nelson. “Access to care is why the Clinic was formed, but we are not meeting the need,” said Nelson. Growth depends on donations received, she added.

“Our great new building gives the impression that the clinic has no need for funds,” said Nelson. “That has worked against us. Stressful times have brought greater need. This has been a tough year for our patients, with high gas and heating costs. The need for food is another concern. There have been many more families that have needed our assistance.”

Meanwhile, the board stresses that with more money, the clinic could give more help, she said.

“Raising funds and running the clinic is hard, but harder still is tell-ing a patient he will have to wait four months to be helped,” said Nelson. “More than ever, the clinic needs your support.”

Donations may be sent to the Northern Neck Free Health Clinic, P.O. Box 1694, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.

Clinic continues to seek funds

Need a passport photo?Call the Southside Sentinel at 758-2328 to make an appointment.


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Miss Maria Anne Bessler of Lancaster was crowned Queen of the Holly Realm Decem-ber 28 at the Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club in Kilmarnock. Over 500 guests were in attendance as 13 area debutantes were presented at the 110th annual Holly Ball.

Orator David Jones crowned Miss Bessler with the tradi-tional crown worn by past queens. She succeeds Miss Erinn Paige Lewis, the daugh-ter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lee Lewis of Reedville.

Miss Bessler is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Charles Bessler. She was presented by her father and was escorted by Stephen Ryan Lewis of Lancaster. Miss Bessler chose as her attendants Miss Jennie Tyler Packett and Miss Jenni-fer Ashley Combs.

Miss Packett is the daugh-ter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Broadus Packett of Warsaw. She was escorted by Blake Delano Motley of Warsaw.

Miss Combs is the grand-daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Arthur Vick of Morattico. She was escorted by Emory Carl Rice IV of Reedville.

Ammon Gresham Dunton Jr. was master of ceremonies. Ushers were David Garland Miles of Kilmarnock, William Neale Somers of White Stone and Joseph Douglas Walker III of Wicomico Church.

Other debutantes presented were Miss Mary Courtney Johns, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Lewis Johns of Warsaw, presented by her father and escorted by Patrick Matthew Drewry of Warsaw; Miss Anne-Sophie Marie Mad-eline Marchal, the daughter of Ms. Brigitte Jeanne Marchal duPuy of Warsaw, presented by Addison Wayne Saunders of Lancaster and escorted by Walton Delano Golden of Warsaw; Miss Mallory Eliza-beth Gladding, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Montgomery Gladding of Tappahannock, presented by her father and escorted by Michael Walker Gladding of Tappahannock; Miss Jessica Lee Sterrett, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Lawrence Sterrett of Reedville, presented by her father and escorted by Robert Michael Mothershead of Lottsburg; Miss Jessica Ruth Haynie, the daughter of Mrs. Jennifer Cralle Pugh of Callao and John Willard Haynie Jr.

As a child, Audrey Wright, the Mathews Art Gallery’s artist of the month for January, “would sit by the window looking at the fog and the blue herons wishing I could paint them.”

The Mathews native’s first seri-ous encounter took place at age 12 when she received oil paints as a Christmas gift. “It didn’t take,” she said. “I drew with colored pencils.”

Her talent flowered, however, when, in 1979 husband Hank enrolled her in a community col-lege art course with realist artist Charles Peary. “It was a real bless-ing. He was a super guy,” she said.

Six years ago another course with James Warwick Jones took her art out of a temporary slump.

Wright says she originally had problems painting water but finally just said, “Stop it.” By seeing the sea stilled—as in a photograph—the artist quickly learned to cap-ture its essence so well that one art expert celebrated her “wonderful sense of wetness.”

Wright’s oils and acrylics of wildlife and sea scenes are in

Hank and Audrey Wright

Wildlife artist featured at Mathews Art Gallery

the style of Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth, artists whom she greatly admires.

Although she doesn’t enjoy sit-ting, her art makes it essential.

“My work is painstakingly detailed and very time consum-ing,” she said, adding that her shore birds are accurate down to the length of feathers. Area ornithologists would notice any errors and local descendents of lighthouse keepers would be sure to point out discrepancies in her lighthouse depictions. (Light-houses are different on every side, for example.)

From her father who tended lighthouses, she gets more details on their architecture. Sea captains living in the area keep her on her toes where it comes to proper rig-ging for the boats she paints.

There’s a historical blurb in the back of every painting or print Wright produces. Framing is done by Hank Wright who also produces frames for other artists in the area in their home in Susan.

Three daughters in their blended family also reside in the area with a fourth daughter living in Florida.

Miss Bessler crownedQueen of Holly Realm

of Reedville, presented by her father and escorted by Rudy Hunter Bowis of Reedville.

Also presented were Miss Caitlin Raborg Rittenhouse, the daughter of Mrs. Dorothy Raborg Rittenhouse and the late Harold Cameron Ritten-house of Reedville, presented by her uncle, Edward Martin Rittenhouse, and escorted by Shawn Michael Lozy of Vir-ginia Beach; Miss Ann Lil-lington Bernhart Thomasson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Carroll Thomasson of Kilmarnock and Mrs. Jane Toms Thomasson of Martins-ville, presented by her father and escorted by Eric Foster Nost Jr. of Irvington; Miss Phoebe Georgene Gilbert, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Derek Robert Gilbert of Lancaster, presented by her father and escorted by Hugo Vandeveer Gilbert of Lancaster; Miss Lacey Marie Lester, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Dale Lester of Wicomico Church, presented by her father and escorted by Robert Justin Morgan Smith of Lancaster; Miss Kelle Alex-andra Urban, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George William Urban III of Kilmarnock, pre-sented by her grandfather, Mr. Urban, and escorted by Tyler Kipp Pinkard of Callao.

Proceeds from the Holly Ball are dispersed by the Tidewater Foundation to charitable orga-nizations supporting education and youth in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.

Miss Maria Anne Bessler

The Court House Players will hold auditions for “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare” on Monday, January 9, and Tues-day, January 10, at 7 p.m. at Gloucester High School.

This hilarious romp through Shakespeare is hosted by three actors who ambitiously attempt to do justice to each of Shake-speare’s 32 plays in the span of less than two hours.

Needed are three actors and various specialty acts to perform as strolling minstrels, jugglers, magicians, etc.

Those auditioning should be prepared to read from the script with other actors, and participate in some improvisations. If you are a specialty act, please prepare a short demo (under two minutes).

Production dates are March 16, 17, 18 and 19 at Gloucester High School and March 24 and 25 at Thousand Trails Campground near Glenns.

Call Paul Aubrey at 694-5050 or email Karyn Haywood at <[email protected]> for more information.

Auditions for Court House Players set

The annual dinner-dance spon-sored by Middlesex Habitat for Humanity will be held at The Beacon behind the Pilot House in Topping on Saturday, January 14, from 6 to 11 p.m.

Supper will be a buffet of spa-ghetti with homemade meatball sauce; baked chicken; salad; vegetables; dessert; and plenty

Tickets available for Habitat dinner-dance

Patriotically colored red, white, and blue flowers will bloom across the Common-wealth as Virginia gardeners celebrate the nation’s 400th anniversary by displaying colorfully-themed gardens and landscapes in an America’s Anniversary Garden proj-ect.

“We hope to have America’s Anniversary Gardens in all the communities as part of Virginia’s welcome to the many visitors that the 400th anniversary celebration will bring to the state,” said Joyce Latimer, Vir-ginia Cooperative Extension horticultur-ist.

Citizens creating America’s Anniversary Gardens will get educational help from Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The work will be supported by a grant of $25,000 from the Jamestown 2007 Commission. Faculty members from the Department of Horticulture and Vir-ginia Cooperative Extension will provide the educational material and leadership to help Virginians grow an America’s Anni-versary Garden.

“The funds from the Jamestown 2007 Commission will help support the effort and we will work with the Virginia Fed-eration of Garden Clubs, Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, the Virginia Flower Growers Association and the Vir-ginia Society of Landscape Designers and others,” Latimer said. The state’s green-house producers will have time to grow the products so that they will be readily avail-able for gardeners.

The initial garden design will be intro-duced in the spring of 2006 with plans for a fall 2006 garden and spring 2007 gar-dens. The design and suggested plants will be selected to provide success for even the most inexperienced gardeners in hope that they will continue gardening, said Ross Richardson, of the Jamestown 2007 Foun-dation.

Bonnie Appleton, a professor of hor-ticulture at Hampton Roads Agricul-tural Research and Extension Center at Virginia Beach; David Close, an Exten-sion horticulturist and coordinator of the

Master Gardener program; and Leanne DuBois, the Virginia Cooperative Exten-sion agriculture and natural resources agent in James City County are organiz-ing the educational efforts for the produc-tion of the plants by the growers and retail businesses as well as the information for gardeners.

“We hope that Master Gardeners, 4-H Clubs and other civic organizations will show off the state through plants that focus on the red, white and blue,” said Latimer. “Our education material will feature a col-lection of native plants along with the col-orful annual and perennials.”

The plants and seeds along with the bro-chures from Virginia Cooperative Exten-sion specialists will be available at many local retail outlets to welcome new gar-deners as well as entice regular gardeners to beautify Virginia for America’s Anni-versary celebrations.

Information on how to plan an America’s Anniversary Garden is available at <ext.vt.edu/americasgarden/index.html>.

of fun.Table and door prizes and a

silent auction will be featured.Music will be provided by

Wayne Jessie.The cost is $20 per ticket.

Tickets are available from board members and at the door.

For more information, call James Ritter at 776-6226.

Virginia’s gardeners encouraged to plant patriotically-colored gardens for 2007


With the new year, many Virginians are making resolutions to improve their health in 2006. Most of us know that we should work to be healthier by increasing physical activity, eating right, losing weight and quit-ting smoking. These habits can reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as heart dis-ease, cancer and diabetes, or improve your health if you already have a chronic illness. The hard part is knowing where to start and

keeping good health habits throughout the year.

Leading a healthy life may mean chang-ing habits you learned in childhood, but even small changes can make a big differ-ence. Make this the year you start living a healthier lifestyle by starting with these five easy tips from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

1. I will lose weight and keep it off.

According to a 2002 VDH study, nearly 59 percent of adult Virginians are overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese makes you more likely to develop health problems including high blood pressure, type 2 diabe-tes, heart disease and certain cancers. The best way to lose extra pounds and main-tain a healthy weight is by eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting regular exercise.

The public is cordially invited to attend any of the following area church services and activities.

Antioch Baptist Church, Saluda. Services, first and third Sunday of the month, 11 a.m. and Sunday school 10 a.m. Bible study every Tuesday at 3:30 and 7 p.m. Rev. Fred Holmes, pastor.

Calvary Baptist Church, Christchurch. Worship service 11 a.m. Church school 9:45 a.m. Rev. Paul S. Pleasants, pastor.

First Baptist Church of Amburg, Deltaville. Sunday school 10 a.m. w/breakfast; worship service 11 a.m. every second and fourth Sunday. Contemporary praise services, first and third Sunday, 3 p.m. Bible study 6 p.m., Thursday. Rev. Andre Lamont Leaphart, pastor. Church 776-9787, home 757-594-1410.

First Baptist Harmony Village. Sunday school classes 9:45 a.m. first and third Sunday; 10 a.m. second and fourth Sunday. Worship service 11 a.m. first and third Sunday. Bible classes, first four Wednesday nights, 7 p.m. Rev. George T. Morris, pastor.

Friendship Baptist Church, Rt. 33 Hartfield. Sunday school 9:45 a.m., all ages. Morning worship 11 a.m. Nurs-ery provided. House of Prayer open to all 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Rev. Walt McKibbon, pastor. 776-7099.

Glebe Landing Baptist Church, Rt. 17 near Laneview. Sunday school 9:45 a.m. Morning worship 11 a.m. Prayer service, Wednesday, 7 p.m. 758-2233. Marvin F. Kerby Jr., pastor.

Grafton Baptist Church, Sunday school lesson: “Everyone Needs Prayer” (I Tim. 2:1-8). Pastor’s sermon: “Count It All Joy” (James 1:2). Music by the Voices of Faith. Rev. Chauncey E. Mann Jr., pastor.

Harmony Grove Baptist Church, intersection of Routes 3 and 33, Top-ping. Sunday school, all ages, 9:45 a.m.; Worship service 11 a.m. Nurs-ery provided. Adult prayer meeting 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Rev. Edward P. Harrow Sr., interim pastor. 758-5154.

Hermitage Baptist Church, Route 17, Church View. Sunday school classes, all ages, 10 a.m.; 11 a.m. worship service and children’s worship service. Nursery provided. Wednesday night: adult prayer meet-ing, Bible study 7:30 p.m.; children and youth mission groups 6:30 p.m. Rev. Tim Kirby, pastor. 758-2636.

Immanuel Baptist Church. Wor-ship service Sunday, except fifth Sunday, 11 a.m. Morning service continues until further notice. Sunday school 9 a.m. Bible study, Wednes-day, 7 p.m. Morning Bible study, the first and third Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Rev. Calvin Rideau, pas-tor.

Lebanon Baptist Church near Urbanna. Sunday school 9:30 a.m. Bible study, Wednesday, 7 p.m. Wor-ship service 11 a.m. Rev. Teresa R. Sutherlin, pastor.

Lower King and Queen Baptist Church (Wares). Worship 10 a.m. on the first and third Sunday; 11 a.m. on the second and fourth Sunday. Sunday school 10 a.m. on the second, fourth and fifth Sunday and 11 a.m. on the first and third Sunday. Rev. C. David Medlen, pastor 785-7743.

Metropolitan Baptist Church, Samos. Worship service 11:30 a.m. first and third Sundays. Prayer service and Bible study Thursday, after the first and third Sunday of each month, 7:30 p.m. Rev. Garry Garnett, pastor.

Mt. Zion Baptist Church at Church View. Sunday school 10 a.m. Worship service 11 a.m., second and fourth Sunday. Mission and Bible

studies Tuesday night 7:30 p.m. after the second Sunday meeting, and Wednesday night after the fourth Sunday. Rev. Fred D. Holmes Jr., pastor.

New Hope Memorial Baptist Church Rt. 609 off Rt. 33. Sunday school 10 a.m.; Worship service 11 a.m. Nursery during worship. Prayer meeting 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Rev. John Brewster, pastor.

Poroporone Baptist Church, Rt. 14 at Shacklefords. Sunday school 10 a.m.; Worship 11 a.m. Discipleship training 7 p.m., Wednesday. Praise Night, second and fourth Sunday, 7 p.m. Mission organizations, all ages, monthly. Don Campbell, pastor. (804) 785-3948.

Saluda Baptist Church, Route 33 near Middlesex Courthouse. Sunday school, all ages, 10 a.m. Worship ser-vice 11 a.m. Rev. Dan Hough, pastor. 758-3102.

Spring Hill Baptist Church, Cobbs Creek. Sunday school 9:45 a.m.; wor-ship service 11 a.m. Chuck McDaniel, pastor.

St. Paul Baptist Church, Jamaica. Sunday school 10 a.m. Worship service 11 a.m., second and fourth Sunday. Bible study, Wednesday, 7 p.m. before the second and fourth Sundays. Rev. Kenneth Dunn, pastor. 758-3633.

Union Shiloh Baptist Church, Laneview. Sunday school 10 to 11:30 a.m. Regular worship service 11:30 a.m. every first and third Sunday. Morning service every fourth Sunday 9 a.m. Rev. Woodland L. Holmes, pastor.

Urbanna Baptist Church. Early worship service, at 8:45 a.m.; Sunday school, all ages, 9:45 a.m.; Worship service 11 a.m. Separate worship ser-vice, children ages 4 to 2nd grade. Adult Bible study 6:30 p.m. Youth group 6 p.m. third Sunday of each month. Rev. Jimmy Maroney, pastor. 758-2720.

Zion Branch Baptist Church, Rt. 615, Saluda. Sunday school 10:30 a.m. second and fourth Sunday. Rev. William Seldon, pastor.

Zoar Baptist Church, Rt. 33, Deltaville. Worship services, 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. (traditional). Nursery provided for both services. Sunday school 9:45 a.m. Wednesday family supper 5:50 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. prayer time and devotionals. 776-9502 or (804) 545-3485; fax (804) 545-3869; email: [email protected]; web: www.zoarbaptistchurch.org

Centenary United Methodist Church, Saluda. Worship services 9 a.m.; Sunday School 10 a.m. Rev. Maurice Hancock, pastor.

Clarksbury United Method-ist Church Rt. 33 near Deltaville. Sunday school classes 9:45 a.m., pre-school to adults; worship service 11 a.m. Youth fellowship every first and third Sunday. Dorothy Price Circle, second Thursday 10 a.m., and Edna Yankovich Circle, second Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Bible Study/Prayer Group, Tuesday, 10 a.m. Rev. James W. Tinney, pastor. 776-6060.

Forest Chapel United Methodist Church, Rt. 614, Warner. Worship ser-vice 10 a.m.; Sunday school 11 a.m. Rev. Maurice Hancock, pastor.

Lower United Methodist Church, Hartfield. Early worship service 8:30 a.m.; Sunday school 9:30 a.m., and worship at 11 a.m. Youth meetings first and third Sunday 4 p.m.; Bible Study, Sunday, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Rev. Les Trail, pastor. 776-6250.

New Hope United Methodist Church, Rt. 33, Glenns area. Sunday school, all ages, 9:45 a.m.; worship

service 11 a.m. Nursery provided. Bible study group, Wednesday, 7 p.m. Rev. Amy E. Pannell, pastor.

Shackelfords Chapel United Methodist Church, Plain View, Rt. 14 (Adner Road) approximately halfway between Routes 17 and 33. Sunday school 10 a.m. Worship service 11 a.m. Rev. William M. Clark Jr., pastor. For information call 785-2005.

Urbanna United Methodist Church, corner Cross Street and Marston Avenue. Worship 11 a.m. Sunday school 9:45 a.m. Nursery provided during worship service. Ter-rific Thursday Kids Choir 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Youth group second and fourth Sunday 6 p.m. Rev. Joseph J. Cailles, pastor. 758-5308 or 758-2736.

Apostles Lutheran Church, Gloucester. Sunday school 9:15 a.m., worship services 10:30 a.m.

Trinity Lutheran Church, Urbanna. Worship services 9 a.m., the Woman’s Club building, Virginia Street. For more information call 758-4257.

Catholic Church of the Visita-tion, Topping, Rt. 33, 1/2 mile east of Harmony Village. Celebration of the Holy Mass 9 a.m.; weekday Masses on Wednesday and Thurs-day mornings 9 a.m. Rev. John D. Boddie, pastor.

Christ Church Parish. 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist; 9:15 a.m. Christian Edu-cation; 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist. Christ Church is located on Rt. 33, east of Saluda, next to Christchurch School. Rev. Paul Andersen., Rector. Rev. Sarah Wood, assistant. 758-2006.

Immanuel Episcopal Church (est. 1884), King and Queen Court House. Sunday worship 10 a.m. w/sermon, hymns, some contemporary songs; Holy Communion most Sundays. Off Rt. 14, west of Rt. 33, east of Rt. 360 from Miller’s Tavern; west of Rt. 17, minutes from Center Cross and Water View. Rev. Scott Krejci, Vicar.

Christian Science Society. Sunday services 10:30 a.m., the Woman’s Club building, Rt. 3, Lancaster. Sunday school at the same hour. Tes-timony meetings the first and third Wed.at 7:30 p.m.

City of Refuge Church, Hartfield. Sunday school 10:30 a.m. Morn-ing worship 11:30 a.m. Prayer and Bible study Tuesday 7-8:30 p.m. Rev. Earlene Scott, pastor.

Community Tabernacle Pente-costal Holiness Church, Topping. Sunday school 9:30 a.m.; Praise and Worship 10:30 a.m.; evening service 7 p.m. Prayer, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Bible study, Wednesday. Kids church (ages 4-12) during Sunday worship. Rev. George Insley, pastor. 758-2838.

Cornerstone Fellowship, Cobbs Creek. Saturday service 7 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.; Wednesday 7 p.m. Youth group 10 a.m. Sunday. Rev. Chris Morgan, pastor. 725-9145.

First Assembly of God, Rt. 33 Shacklefords. Sunday school 10 a.m. Worship service 11 a.m. Bible study 6 p.m. on Sunday and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Youth meeting Friday at 7:30 p.m. Nursery available for all services. John C. Randall, pastor. 785-5683.

Lighthouse Worship Center, Hayes. Sunday school 9 a.m. Wor-ship services 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Ken Cramer, pastor.

Living Waters of Rehoboth will be meeting on Sundays at Riverside Convalescent Center in Saluda (until we can relocate). Meetings begin at 10:30 a.m. 758-4197.

Make-A-Way and Deliverance

Church CalendarFull Gospel Church, Route 637, Remlik. Sunday school 9:15 a.m., morning service 10 a.m. Adult Bible study, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. Thomas J. Ransom, pastor; Edna Ransom, co-pastor.

Philippi Christian Church (Dis-ciples of Christ), Rt. 33, Deltaville. Continental breakfast Sunday 8:30 a.m. followed by “non-traditional” family worship service, fellowship hall, 9 to 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 10 a.m. w/traditional worship service 11 a.m. Nursery available for 11 a.m. service. Coffee follows. Mike Cook, pastor. 776-6230.

Quaker Friends. Meetings include silent worship 10 a.m.; Friends discus-sion 11 a.m.; Friends lunch 12 noon. 758-2401.

Remlik Wesleyan Church. Sunday school 9:45 a.m.; worship 10:45 a.m.; evening worship 6 p.m. Wesleyan Youth, Sunday, 6 p.m. Wednesday, midweek service, 7 p.m. Rev. Mat-thew D. Alford, pastor.

Saint Andrews Presbyte-rian Church, 435 East Church St., Kilmarnock. 9:45 a.m. Sunday school. 11 a.m. worship. Sermon: “The Wealth of Value” (I Timothy 6:6-11). Child care provided during worship. Rev.Dr. Thomas R. Coye, pastor. Website: saintandrewspc.org

Solid Rock Church of Deliver-ance. 11 a.m. worship service; 2 p.m. prayer and deliverance service. Bible study Tuesday 7 p.m. Lorraine Goins, pastor. 758-9864.

St. James Anglican/Episcopal, Rt. 14 at 626, Mathews County. Explor-ing the Bible (Study) 10 a.m. Service of Holy Communion 11 a.m. Child care provided 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. For information contact Rev. Wil-liam T. Kump, 757-244-7955 or B.R. Humphreys, 435-9776.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meets each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Woman’s Club building in White Stone at 560 Chesapeake Drive, 758-4790.

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Recent contributors to the Upper Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department “Lights for Life” program are as follows:

Memorial Star LightsFor Cody Carlton by Janet

Carlton Weston; Louis S. Rich-ardson by Edith Richardson; Justin Wyatt by Kenny and Ber-nice Wyatt; Booker and Leona Moore by Wilbur and Catherine Traylor; Mr. and Mrs. Wilton Powell by their children; Mr. and Mrs. Willie Williams Sr. by Roy and Christine Williams; Thomas Powell Sr. by his sisters; Minnie, Eddie, and Amos Healy by Dorothy and Ellen Carneal; John W. Carneal by Dorothy and Ellen Carneal; Louise and Lois Spencer by Carroll L. Spencer; Marshall Bristow by Dot and Oscar Thomas; Jason Alvin Hodges by Nelson and Mary Hodges; and Tom Cobe-rly by Katie, Bryan and Amber

On Sunday, January 8, Andy Kelsey will speak at the Unitar-ian-Universalist Fellowship of the Rappahannock (UUFR). “In the beginning was the Word,” according to the Gospel of St. John (1:1)-or did another com-munication technique precede language? Kelsey will explore

Young church goersAndy Kelsey to address UUFR

UMVFD Lights for LifeDaughtry.

Honorarium Star LightsDorothy Carneal by Carroll

L. Spencer; and Andy Moore by Wilbur and Catherine Traylor.

Memorial Tree LightsWillma Burton by Rebecca

Lowe; Bernard Sickal by Donna Sickal; loved ones by Randy and Peggy Williams; Joe Mag-nuson by family; Alma Gibson by the Powell sisters; Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Abbott by Roy, Christine and JoAnne Williams; Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Crowe by Roy and Christine Williams; and Lee, Raymond and Cornell Williams by Roy and Christine Williams.

Honorarium Tree LightsJerry Williams and family and

JoAnne Williams by their par-ents, Christine and Roy Williams; Lena Sickal by Donna Sickal; and Amber Daughtry by her parents, Katie and Bryan Daughtry.

There were a lot of babies attending Lower United Methodist Church at Hartfield last year. Above, some of the babies and their parents pose for a photo in December.

Make New Year’s resolutions to get healthier in 2006

(See Resolutions, page 9)

this possibility,Kelsey and his wife Ann retired

from the U.S. Foreign Service in 1975 after many foreign assign-ments, mainly in the Near and Far East. They then settled on Dymer Creek with their three children. Both helped found the UUFR in White Stone.


Obituaries

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Edward Claiborne Bridger, 83, of Hardyville died Tuesday, December 20, 2005.

He was the son of the late Alvin Gideon and Georgianne Greene Bridger, and stepson of Wilhelmina Bridger of Ettrick and Deltaville.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Rachel Norris Bridger; step-daughter, Janie Ligon; step-granddaughter, Hannah Levin of London, England; step-daughter-in-law, Martha Watson Barrett and her husband Carter, and step-grandchildren Grey, Elizabeth, Anne, Mellie Ligon and Darden Barrett, all of Poquoson; a special friend of 37 years, Judy Harding Smith of Hamilton; sister-in-law, Ruby Lee Norris of Topping; two step-brothers, Bill Willa-ford of Cossatt, South Carolina, Christian Willaford of Urbanna; a step-sister, Annette Willaford Johnston of Wake; a half-sister, Isla Bridger Brown of Wake; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Alfred G. Bridger Sr.; and a step-sister, Ernestine Wil-laford Holloway; and a step-brother, Hoyt Ermont Willaford.

Mr. Bridger graduated from Syringa High School in 1940. His first job was making window displays for Sears Roebuck in Richmond. He worked in New-port News Shipyard and volun-teered for Army service in World War II in 1943. As a member of the Transportation Corps of the 332nd Harbor Craft Company, he fought in the Battle of Normandy and later became captain of Tug-boat ST 490 working out of port of Le Havre, France. His service decorations include the Meritori-ous Service Unit Plaque, Ameri-can Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Cam-paign and World War II Victory Medal. He left Army service in 1946 and served in the Army Reserves until 1963.

He took courses at Johns Hop-kins University among others and became a self-taught archi-tect. He was an architect for the Marriott Hotels in the Washing-ton, D.C., area.

After retirement, Mr. Bridger moved back to Middlesex in 1980 and participated in many civic and church activities. In particular, he was devoted to Hands Across Middlesex, a local rehabilitation program for the needy. He donated his architec-tural expertise to designing and contracting the remodeling of the Middlesex County Library in Deltaville. He also designed plans for additions or alterations of several Middlesex churches.

A memorial service was held December 23, 2005 at Lower United Methodist Church, Hartfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hands Across Middlesex, P.O. Box 1229, Saluda, VA 23149, or to Lower United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 98, Hartfield, VA 23071.

Roscoe Homer Burtner, 89, of Blacksburg died December 23, 2005. He was a graduate of Virginia Tech.

Mr. Burtner was a member of Blacksburg United Methodist Church and Eastern Star.

He worked as an Extension agent in Botetourt County, a poultry specialist at Virginia Tech, and finally as a poultry specialist for Barnhardt Duck Farm in Urbanna.

He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth, on December 8, 2005; a son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Mary Burtner; four brothers, Marion, Byard, Edward and Albert; and five sisters, Mabell Crossen, Madge Wilfong, Mar-garet Smith, Ola Hawkins and Vada Burtner.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Glen and Brenda Burtner of Kilmarnock; three grandchildren, Paul Burtner of North Carolina, Joseph Burtner of Georgia, and Michele Burtner of Richmond; four step-grandchildren, David Miller, Rodney Miller, Jim Miller and Nancy Boone; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Beda McMahon of Florida; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at Blacksburg United Method-ist Church December 29 with Rev. Reggie Tuck officiating. Pallbearers were Paul Burt-ner, David Miller, Jim Miller, Joseph Burtner, Barry Boone and Wade Curtiss. Interment was in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Christiansburg.

Memorials may be made to Blacksburg United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 931, Blacks-burg, VA 24063; Virginia Tech Athletic Fund (Hokie Club); or Kroontje Foundation, 1000 Litton Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24060.

Ruby Diggs Forrest, 94, passed away January 1, 2006.

She was born on Gwynn’s Island in Mathews County, the daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Diggs. She had eight brothers and sisters, all of whom preceded her in death. She was married to the late Captain Alvon N. For-rest. They lived and raised their children in Bavon.

She has six surviving children: Virginia Lee Trask, Betty Ann Green, Ch(LTC)‚ Robert Forrest, Ret., Sally Margaret Hugate, Naomi Hudgins, and Diane Green; one son, Alvon N. Forrest Jr., is now deceased.

She not only was a homemaker, but she worked many years as a faithful CNA at the former Horn Harbor and Elizabeth-Haynes nursing homes in Mathews, as well as did private duty in her later years.

Funeral services were held yesterday, January 4, at Gwynn’s Island Baptist Church, officiated by Revs. Dave Patton and Edwin Lockwood. Burial was in the Gwynn’s Island Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be directed to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Asso-ciation (Samaritan’s Purse), P.O. Box 1270, Charlotte, NC 28201-1270.

Crystal Lynn Rose, 33, of Weems died Wednesday, Decem-ber 28, 2005.

She was a member of White Stone United Methodist Church and a corrections officer for Haynesville Department of Cor-rections.

Surviving are her father, Danny Ray Rose of White Stone; mother, Doris Haislip of Deltaville; a brother, John Haislip; a sister, Sherry Keen of Fairfax Station; paternal grandmother, Lila Rose of White Stone; a nephew, Jona-than Lexington Casseday Hais-lip; and a devoted friend, Stacey Bagby of Richmond.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Woodrow and Nellie Conners, and paternal grandfather, Ray Rose.

Funeral services were held December 31 at White Stone United Methodist Church with Rev. Richard Gordon officiat-ing. Interment was in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were her cousins.

Walter G. Slaughter Sr., 79, of Dutton, a retired Virginia Insti-tute of Marine Science employee, died Monday, December 26, 2005.

He was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marian E. Slaughter; one son, Walter G. Slaughter Jr. of Gloucester; two grandchildren, Roxanne and Aaron; one sister, Lucille Miller; five brothers, Wil-liam, Kelly, Kenneth, Alton and Jimmy Slaughter; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held December 29 in Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Home, Saluda. Interment was in Windsor Gar-dens Cemetery, Dutton.

Edward C. Bridger Ruby D. Forrest

Crystal L. Rose

Roscoe H. Burtner

Walter G. Slaughter

Happy New Year! We hope that 2006 will be a good and prosper-ous year for you. With your help, we in Hands Across Middlesex look forward to continued growth and ability to help those who “fall between the cracks” of govern-ment-sponsored programs and to assist neighbors in need.

2005 was a good year for Hands Across Middlesex. We fin-ished the year with the delivery of meals to those in need on Christ-mas morning. During the year, we welcomed the addition of many new contributors of time to our programs. Our art auction brought in much needed funds in addition to the contributions from many churches and individuals. We demonstrated that we can build and expand on the traditional programs to provide emergency assistance in the form of money, clothes, household goods, ramps and septic and plumbing systems. Hands is a dynamic organiza-tion of people who are commit-ted to helping the community in Middlesex County.

However, there was sadness with the passing of Ed Bridger just before Christmas. But Ed did not leave before his last project in the Home Rehabilitation Pro-gram (HRP) was completed. The family that benefited from that work expressed their gratitude to Ed in the Sentinel the week

On Sunday, January 8, at a special 10:30 a.m. service, Christ Church Parish will wel-come their new rector, Rev. Paul Andersen.

A luncheon welcoming Rev. Andersen and his family will follow the service.

Rev. Andersen most immedi-ately served as rector at Trinity Church in Milford, Mass., and prior to that in churches at South Barre and Worcester, Mass.

Prior to these assignments he worked with the Diplomatic Corps in the U.S. Department of State with assignments in such

Hands Across Middlesexby Jim Barker before he left us. Such expres-

sions are so important and are so appreciated.

Ed’s family generously requested that contributions in his memory be made to Hands Across Middlesex or to Lower United Methodist Church. Ed set the course for additional work to follow in his footsteps through the HRP.

But, as Cathy Newcomb noted in her December 22 column, we need additional help, especially from people with skills in plan-ning and managing home reha-bilitation and other projects. Ed Bridger was a designer, planner, manager, and hands-on builder. Now is the time for others to come forward to fill some of these essential roles. Please con-tact the Hands office or one of our members if you would like to participate in this rewarding opportunity to help improve the lives of others.

So, please join us at our first meeting for 2006. It will be at Friendship Baptist Church in Hartfield at 3:30 p.m. on Decem-ber 15.

Hands Across Middlesex Inc. is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corpo-ration organized in 1992. Our office is located at Philippi Christian Church, 17276 General Puller Highway, Deltaville. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1299, Saluda, VA 23149. The telephone number is 776-8535.

The Community Tabernacle Church in Topping invites the public to a night of special ser-vices with Joshua David tonight, January 5, at 7 p.m.

Joshua David was born into a missionary/evangelist family and is ordained under Dave Rob-erson Ministries in Tulsa, Okla-homa. Joshua’s passion for the ministry can be clearly stated by his commitment to what God instructed the Old Testament Joshua: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth

Joshua David will preach atCommunity Tabernacle Church

but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way pros-perous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

Joshua ministers the Word under a strong anointing of both teaching and miracles by the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit. He travels all over the United States and other countries preaching God’s Word with signs and miracles following.

Lebanon Worship Center near Saluda will host Dr. N. Cindy Trimm on Monday and Tuesday, January 9-10, at 7 p.m. nightly.

Dr. Trimm has been on Trinity Broadcast Network on several occasions.

For more than 25 years this best-selling author and multi-

Dr. Cindy Trimm to speak at Lebanon Worship Center

gifted world-changer has been equipping people to fulfill their destinies and maximize their potential.

Highly respected by persons from all walks of life, Dr. Trimm pours out unselfishly into the lives of others.

All are invited to attend.

Christ Church Parish to welcome new rector

places as Belize, Yugoslavia, India, Macedonia among others. While with the State Depart-ment he was associated with the Anglican communities in coun-tries where he was stationed.

Rev. Andersen received his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama, and master of divinity from the Prot-estant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Alexandria.

Rev. Andersen’s wife Lilith is a language instructor and fluent in six languages. They have two sons, Daniel, 16, and Alexan-der, 11.

We who work at Bay Aging are always very appreciative of dona-tions of time, money, skills and items given so that others may benefit in some way. Bay Aging would like to spotlight a special young friend, Kate Van Emmerik.

Kate, a Mathews County resi-dent, recently celebrated her 10th birthday in a unique way. Fol-lowing some family dinnertime discussion about an article that appeared in the local newspaper concerning the need for funds for the Meals on Wheels program, Kate decided that instead of having birthday presents given to her, she would ask her friends for donations to Meals on Wheels.

Through Kate’s generosity, 57 meals will be served from the birthday money she raised! In the words of her mother, Mrs. Van Emmerik, “I’m proud of her for supporting this program; it’s such an important one.” Thank you Kate.

To thank Kate, the staff at Bay Aging decided they wanted to give her a “belated birthday and appreciation gift.” They person-ally donated money to buy a gift

certificate from Twice Told Tales bookstore. So from all of us, “Happy reading Kate!”

Some may find it difficult to grasp that there are so many people who need Meals on Wheels. And, it is just as incredi-ble to think that every day, seniors are forced to make horrible deci-sions of whether to purchase life saving medications, heating fuel, electricity or food. It is reality.

Meals on Wheels provides more than nutrition for the body, the caring visit also provides food for the soul and the mind.

If you would like to make a spe-cial holiday donation to Meals on Wheels, please send your check or money order made payable to Bay Aging at P.O. Box 610, Urbanna, VA 23175.

A Special Friendby Kathy Vesley-MasseyChief Operating Officer

Bay Aging News

Å healthy rate of weight loss is one-half to two pounds per week. Set yourself up for success with realistic goals, and keep moti-vated by identifying milestones to meet along the way.

2. I will make healthy food choices. An unhealthy diet not only contributes to weight gain, but you may not be getting the vitamins and minerals necessary to stay healthy. With so many inexpensive high-fat and high-calorie foods available, choos-ing the right things to eat can be a challenge. Eating right doesn’t mean following the latest fad diet. Balance the occasional unhealthy treat with sensible meals and por-tions. Make food appetizing with herbs and spices that add flavor without adding fat. Visit <mypyr-amid.gov> to learn more about choosing the foods and amounts that are right for you.

Only 26 percent of Virginians eat five servings of fruit and veg-etables each day as recommended by the Centers for Disease Con-trol and Prevention (CDC). Try to add more fruit and vegetables.

3. I will get enough exercise. Fifty-one percent of Virginians don’t get the 30 minutes of exer-cise on most days that the CDC recommends. Physical activity aids weight loss, improves heart health and helps reduce stress. Regular exercise can actually increase your energy level, and every little bit helps.

4. I will quit smoking. We all

New Year’s resolutions . . . (continued from page 8)

The River Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold blood drives on Tuesday, January 10, at Urbanna Baptist Church and on Tuesday, Janu-ary 17, at the Deltaville Rescue Squad building. Both blood drives will be from 1 to 7 p.m. and all eligible donors are asked to give “the gift of life.”

Blood driveset for Tuesday

know that using tobacco prod-ucts can lead to cancer, emphy-sema and other health problems. Second-hand smoke can also have harmful effects on your children and other non-smokers around you. But as anyone who has tried to tell you, kicking the habit can be tough. Quit Now Virginia, VDH’s tobacco ces-sation program, provides infor-mation and a self-help Quit Kit

to all Virginians and provides comprehensive treatment ser-vices to Medicaid recipients and the uninsured. Call the Quitline at (800) QUIT-NOW for more information.

5. I will get regular check-ups and health screenings. One of the best ways to avoid living with complications of chronic disease is to catch the disease early, or even before it starts.

Blood Drive at Urbanna Baptist Church, Tuesday, January 10 from 1–7 p.m.


The 2005 Christmas Friends Wrapping Crew

Our thanks to Kiwanis Club of Middlesex members Tom Lowe, Jim and Nennie Lennon, Jack Tarran, Jim Hill, Bob Kluge, Fred Gaskins, Homer Hartung, Betty Coulson, Phil and Rita Wooddell, Ray Kotesky, Pat Seamster, Russ Russell, Roy and Sarie Bowman, Ron McCollum, Stan Hovey and Jack Townsell. We also thank Ron and Ann Massey, Bobbie Wyker and Marion and Fran Miller of the Clarksbury United Methodist Church Edna Yankovich Circle.

Thanks also to several others who volunteered to help during a Sunday afternoon session that was cancelled because the wrapping was complete.

CHRISTMAS FRIENDS

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An Efficient, No Load OrganizationBecause Christmas Friends is sponsored by the Southside Sentinel and the

Middlesex County Department of Social Services, it operates with no overhead. Every dollar donated by the community goes directly toward making the season brighter for those in need.

Our thanks to Millie Hampton of the Middlesex County Department of Social Services for coordinating that agency’s screening and making referrals. This is the only way clients are referred to Christmas Friends; the program cannot handle requests from any other source.Many volunteers comment that Christmas Friends Inc. is a well-organized program. This is due to

the efforts of the social services department and primarily two individuals at the Sentinel: shopping coordinator Bettie Lee Gaskins and bookkeeper and front office manager Geanie Longest. They dedicate countless hours to recruit and assign shoppers, prepare and distribute shoppers’ packets, map delivery routes, record and recognize donations, accept gift bags and perform many other tasks.

We thank Kate Oliver and Joe Gaskins for their administrative assistance this year. The entire Sentinel staff also assists in many ways, including sharing its work space with hundreds of gift bags and enduring the general hustle and bustle the program creates around the office for most of December.

The 2005 Christmas Friends Delivery Crew & Special Helpers

Delivering gifts to all corners of Middlesex County were Kiwanis Club of Middlesex members Ray Kotesky, Jack Tarran, Bob Kluge, Fred and Bettie Lee Gaskins and Pat and Clarence Seamster, Tom Hardin, Buzz Lambert, Jeff Bliemel, Mike and Beth Hurd, Peter Burls, Margie Moore, Paul Pearce, Norma Jean Sears, Jack and Joanie Mulligan.

The nine vans used for delivery were loaned by the Southside Sentinel, Rappahannock Record (2), the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center (3), Paul Pearce, Norma Jean Sears and Jack Mulligan. We thank several others who also offered to loan vans and deliver.

Special thanks to Bill Hight of Urbanna Auto & Marine who loaned and transported a large trailer where gift bags were stored, to Tim Moore of Four Seasons Insulation for providing space where the gift bags could be unloaded, sorted and reloaded into vans, and to Hight, Moore, several Four Seasons Insulation employees, Ron Massey and several Southside Sentinel employees for assistance in loading and unloading the trailer and loading the vans.

The 2005 Christmas Friends Shoppers

Monetary donations by the community make it possible for volunteer shoppers to purchase gifts from a wish list provided by each child and senior adult. The shoppers donate their time, gas and, in many cases, extra money from their own pockets to fulfill the wishes. This year we are grateful to:

Zani Autry, Stephanie Piva Benson, Jane B. Birchard, Crystal S. Blake, Jeff Bliemel, Carolyn Boggs, Betty S. Bray, Jana Leigh Bridgman, Ellen and Webster Brooke, Madeline Brooks, Michelle Brown, Jeb Byers, Dorothy and Ellen Carneal, Janet Carson, Anje Chandler, Janice Clark, Susie Collamore, Jane Cooke, Carol G. Cowell, Grayce Cramer, Betty Daniel, Sharon Daniel, Carolyn Davis, Jennifer M. Duke, Martha W. Dunlevy, Lynn Eanes, Martha Engard, Leila Major Ermarth, Susan G. Faulkner, Becky Ferrell, Shelia R. Fisher, Thomas E. Foley, Louise Friday, Sarah N. Geeson, Carolyn Goodrich and Patty Griffin.

Also, Shannon Haley, Kathy Hall, Nancy Page Harris, Thyra Harris, Gracejean Hennigar, Kristy Abbott Higgins, Mary Kay Hight, Jean R. Hill, Susan Horne, Debbie Horsley, Stephanie Hunt, Elizabeth B. Hurd, Maria L. Johnson, Kathy Kauffman, Edna A. “Nennie” Lennon, Theresa A. Linn, Geanie Longest, Donald and Lorie Lowrey, Roberta P. Major, Melissa Martin, Brenda C. Maul, Barbara McNeal, Julia McNeill, Merridee Michelsen, Melinda J. Miller, Katherine E. Narron, Kimberlee Olsen, William H. Parker III, Betsy Parkinson, Sharon H. Paterson, S. Jean Pierce, Diana Pitts, Kerry Polson and Terri Purcell.

Also, Diane A. Rainier, Joan Ramsay-Johnson, Darla Revere, Barbara B. Robins, Jeannine Rowe, Donna Rutkowski, Irma H. Ryman, Jean Salley, Carolyn B. Salmon, Renetta Scott, Melissa Sears, Wanda Shinn, Barbara Shores, Donna M. Smith, Eileen D. Smith, Marilyn Snodgrass, Beth Straw, Helen S. Tarran, Janice Taylor, Susan Thomas, Kathy S. Thrift, Lori Tyler, Barbara Vest, Judy Whidby, Laurie W. White, Debbie A. Wilkins, Fay N. Willaford, Susan F. Williams, Winnie Williams, Cynthia C. Wilson, Andrew Wilton, Evie Wilton, April K. Wojtach, Delores Wright, Kathryn H. Wright, and Kathy D. Wright.

Because of last minute requests, the following shopped again for more families: Janice Taylor, Zani Autry, Julia McNeill, Carolyn Salmon, William H. Parker III, Janet Carson and Jana Bridgman.

We thank many shoppers for also wrapping the gifts they purchased.

Documents

Urbanna, Virginia 23175 • January 5, 2006 County ... Sentinel A.pdf · board meeting, supervisors: ... tation to the Middlesex County School Board in December con-cerning the program