Teachers awarded chance to fulfill dreams
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Page Dowdy/Chesterfield Observer Owen & Owens, a full-service law firm with expertise in family law, civil litigation, estate planning and more, recently held a ribbon cutting for its relocation to the Village Bank corporate headquarters building at the Watkins Centre. From left: Kim Skiba, associate, Joe Owen, partner, Mary Owens, partner, Sam Kaufman, partner, and Jace Padden, associate, cut the ceremonial ribbon.

In determining their own professional-development activity, recipients of the R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence are told to dream big. They're asked to consider something they've always wanted to do, but lacked the resources to accomplish.

The awards program, which is a partnership between the Community and R.E.B. foundations, recognizes excellence in public education by awarding direct cash grants to outstanding public-school teachers from several area localities, including Chesterfield.

Chesterfield County Public Schools teachers receiving the award for 2008 include Matthew J. Edinger, a language arts teacher at Perrymont Middle School; Melvin David Hunt who teaches health and physical education at Manchester Middle School; Shannon Patricia Magne, a third-grade teacher at Ecoff Elementary School; and Martha Newsom Smith, who teaches first grade at J.B. Watkins Elementary School.

Page Dowdy/Chesterfield Observer Area chambers of commerce recently united to present "Referral Magic: Proven Ways to Capture More Sales and Repeat Business," a program by best-selling author and marketing expert Tony Rubleski (second from right) from Mind Caputre Group at John Tyler Community College's Chester campus. Those attending included (from left) Becky McDonough, Hopewell-Prince George County Chamber of Commerce; Lenita Gilreath, Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce; and Cynthia Devereaux, Petersburg Chamber of Commerce.

Edinger will receive $6,500 to travel to Poland to participate in an archaeological field school. Hunt will visit model schools around the country that feature innovative programs in youth fitness with his award of $11,000. Magne will use her $10,200 award to travel to Italy and Greece to improve her knowledge of those countries' histories. Smith's award of $11,000 will be used to visit England and Scotland to study historic structures from an engineering perspective.

Communities in Schools of Chesterfield (CIS) celebrated 16 years of helping students achieve success during a Sweet Sixteen breakfast late last month. The event included a book drive for Bellwood, Chalkley and Ettrick elementary schools. Larry Murphy (above), CIS chair, thanked supporters for helping more than 2,000 students in the county each year and for contributing more than $2 million over the past 16 years. He also announced Karla Gerner, director of human resource management for Chesterfield County, is the 2008 Volunteer of the Year for CIS. This is the first time the group has honored a Volunteer of the Year.

Julie Paulette Harvie, a teacher at Joseph T. Maslin High School at the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center, also received an award for $11,000, which she'll use to visit historical sites and places of interest throughout the country. Education

Kennedy

Jesse Leong, a Chesterfield student who attends the Appomattox Regional Governor's School (ARGS) in Petersburg, recently won first place in the Chopin piano competition, senior division, at the Virginia Commonwealth University Pianofest. Jesse Limbacher, also a Chesterfield student at ARGS, competed in the competition as well.

Debbye Cook, a teacher of gifted students at Robious Middle School, has been named the 2008 Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted for Region 1 by the Virginia Association for the Gifted. She has been teaching gifted children for 10 of her 18 years of service to Chesterfield schools. She is the fourth county teacher to receive this regional award since its inception in 2001.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Child Development Center is scheduled to open in August 2009, with the recently installed

Photo courtesy of Anne Dalton The Midlothian High School Marching Trojans recently earned a superior rating at the Virginia Band and Orchestra Director's Association State Marching Festival in Williamsburg. The band is directed by Gordon Rawls.

Rev. Dr. Richard Carlton as mission pastor. His installation ceremony took place at Redeemer Lutheran Church, which is the sponsoring body of Good Shepherd.

Business

CJW Medical Center recently celebrated, along with Richmond Habitat for Humanity, the completion of a home in the Angus Road subdivision. Volunteers from the staffs of both the Chippenham and Johnston-Willis campuses gave their time and talents to help in the effort.

American Family Fitness, with locations at 4751 Brad McNeer Parkway, 9748 Midlothian Turnpike and 9101 Midlothian Turnpike, recently received the 2008 Impact Award, which is presented by the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce. The awards recognize the growth, innovations and community contributions of privately owned businesses in the region.

Photo courtesy of Marcia Soffee The James River High School Interact Club, a service organization for the school and community, recently visited residents of The Laurels of Willow Oaks, a rehabilitation center located in Midlothian. Back row from left: Jessica Soffee, teacher sponsor Mrs. Tsironis, Megan Shewmake, Emily LaMotte, Kim Warrington, Brandon Chambers and Ashvin Food brought smiles to the residents' faces.

Robbins Landscaping, a design, landscaping and property management firm located in Chesterfield, recently received the Pros in Excellence Award. Sponsored by PRO Magazine, Ariens Company, STIHL and GIE+EXPO, the award recognizes the top three contractors in the industry for achieving a high level of service and professionalism. Learn more about the company at www.robbinscaping.com.

Midlothian's Romp n' Roll, a new childenrichment center that focuses on children ages 3 months-5 years, was recently named a 2008 Greater Richmond Company to Watch by the Venture Forum for its high growth potential. The center is located at 11541 Busy Street. For more information, call 893-3142 or visit www.rompnroll.com/midlothian.

World Children's Day at McDonald's, the company's largest annual fundraiser for children and families in need, will take place on Nov. 20. On that day, participating Chesterfield McDonald's restaurants will donate $1 from the sale of select menu items, including Extra Value Meals, to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Also, through Nov. 20, customers may participate in the in-restaurant Give a Hand program by purchasing a "hand" for $1. All those proceeds go directly to RMHC. Last year, the 10300 Iron Bridge Road location, owned by Jack and Jon Pollard, raised $5,704 during this fundraiser, which was the most money raised in the metro area and the third highest amount raised in the country.

Midlothian resident Bill Kelly recently opened SHIELD, a Tae Kwon Do studio located at 12205-B Gayton Road. The school offers classes for children and adults of all skill levels. Each class costs $6, and students may enroll at any time during a session. For more information, visit www.shieldtaekwondo.com or call 938-8948.

Village Bank and Trust Financial recently reported third-quarter earnings for 2008. Net income for the quarter amounted to $219,000 or $.08 per fully diluted share. For the same quarter of 2007, net income was $259,000 or $.10 per fully diluted share. The difference represents a decline of 15.4 percent for the three-month period when compared to last year. Earnings for the first nine months of 2008 were $491,000 or $.10 per fully diluted share, compared to earnings of $795,000 or $.29 per fully diluted share for the same period in 2007. This represents a decline of 38.3 percent for the same period last year.

Organizations

More than 100 players participated in the Bon Air Rotary Club's recent golf tournament to help raise over $26,400 for the Association for the Support of Children with Cancer, the Alexander Kalata Memorial Fund, the Bon Air Charity Fund and the Jim Mims Foundation.

Virginia Tech Hokie Alumni and University of Virginia Hoo Alumni recently completed a challenge to raise the most money and round up the most volunteers to help build a Richmond Habitat for Humanity House on Angus Road in Chesterfield. Judge the winner of the Hokies vs. Hoos Habitat Challenge for yourself: The Hokies brought 102 volunteers and raised $32,358.67 while the Hoos had 55 volunteers and raised $32,641.33.

Individual achievements

Kennedy Carey, a junior at Cosby High School, has been selected by Bands of America to join the National Honor Band at the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Ca. The parade will be broadcast beginning at 8 a.m. on several channels, including ABC, CBS and NBC. Carey, a percussionist, is the son of Christopher and Theresa Carey.

Weddings

Chester residents Kimberly A. Roche and Patrick A. Missory Jr. were married on Sept. 27 at St. Francis De Sale Roman Catholic Church in Purcellville, Virginia. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Missory, also of Chester. Kimberly is a county elementary school teacher.

Compiled by Gwen Sadler

Announcements can be e-mailed to news@chesterfieldobserver.com, faxed to 744- 3269 or mailed to Chesterfield Observer, Attn: Announcements, P.O. Box 1616, Midlothian, VA 23113.