County Crier
By Judy Jones
Can anyone answer Cindy’s question? I called VDOT last night their system was down Judy
Can you find out for us what is going on with Moonlight Road? There are signs saying it will be closed 7/27 to 7/30. What section is being closed? Since I live on this road, it would be nice to know the details since I work Monday through Friday and will need to plan my route based on what is being done.
Mildred E. BAILEY
PETERSBURG - Mildred E. Bailey, entered into eternal rest July 14,
2010, at Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg, Va. Born Dec.
23, 1934, in Wakefield, Va.
She leaves to cherish her memories, one daughter, Betty Norris; one
son, William Bailey Jr. (Diane) of Waverly, Va.; eight grandchildren,
13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter, one sister-in-law,
one brother-in-law, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Services will be at noon Saturday, July 24, 2010, at Oak Grove Baptist
Church, Wakefield, Va., with the Rev. Leslie Hollway Jr. pastor, officiating.
Interment will be in the Bailey Family Cemetery, Surry, Va.
Services entrusted to Peace/Bland Funeral Home, Waverly, Va. View
and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
Published in Daily Press from July 23 to July 24, 2010
Artifacts unearthed at PPP
By Diana McFarland
News editor
SURRY - A pocketknife and children's glass marbles were just some of the artifacts unearthed last weekend during the Pork Peanut and Pine Festival held at Chippokes Plantation State Park.
Archaeologists from a variety of federal and state agencies spent two days in 90-degree heat gently moving soil from around an old chimney located on the grounds of the Chippokes manor house.
The former structure, originally built in the mid-'1800's, was most recently used as a "smithy" or blacksmith's shop where small repairs were done on the farm, said Mike Madden, archeologist with the U.S. Forest Service.
After digging down about three inches, archaeologists found a amount of metal fragments, as well as a lead seal, Madden said.
Digging down further, the archaeologists began to unearth items common to domestic life.
At about l0-inches under the ground, they found a pocket watch fob from Fayetteville, N.C., tobacco pipes arid glass buttons.
The difference between the types of artifacts was "night and day," Madden said.
The group was focusing on the site because they were interested in how the more working class members of society lived at the time.
"Nobody tells their history and that's what we're trying to do," Madden said.
The Forest Service also had a display of other items found on the farm. Fragments of gin bottle glass, English flint and smoking pipes were found where the park's swimming pool is now located. Indian arrowheads and pottery were found on the bluff along the James River.
Near the Walnut Valley site, _archaeologists have found remnants of pearl ware, stoneware, nails and a boar's tusk.
The property, that would become Chippokes, was purchased by English Captain William Powell of Southward, County of Surrey, England. Powell is thought to be a shareholder in the Virginia Company of London in the Charter of 1609.
After a series of owners, the 1,403-acre farm was sold at public auction to the highest bidders -Victor W and Evelyn Stewart of Wilson, N. C. for $47,000.
Upon her death, Evelyn willed the plantation to the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1967 in memory of her late husband, with the stipulation that it would be continually farmed. Both of the Stewarts were buried in the garden at Chippokes.
Today, the park encompasses a sprawling recreation site, an Olympic-size swimming pool, picnic areas, visitors' center, and a museum.
The original plantation and field houses stand as they did in the 1850s, offering a glimpse into Virginia's past.
Centennial Monument Dedication set for August 8
On August 8, at 3 p.m. in front of the Surry County Court House the 100th anniversary celebration of the dedication of the Confederate monument will be held. This event will be dedicated to the memory and service of more than 400 men who volunteered to serve in the Confederate States of America army or navy from Surry County.
The dedication in August 1910 was attended by 'more than 3,000 people, including the Governor of Virginia, State Delegates and Senators, and Federal Representatives and Senators. Many attending were veterans of the War Between the States.
This year's dedication will be hosted by the General William Mahone, CSA Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in Wakefield, in loving memory to those men. The Sons of Confederate Veterans is a heritage
(non-political) service organization made up of men of all races who had an ancestor who was in the Confederate army or navy.
This dedication will be attended by many Civil War re-enactors and members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans from throughout the state.
The public is cordially invited.
Folks, Some of you know Mary Jones – and I thought you may want to read this. I have some un-verified information that Mary Jones has cancer. Judy
Board retires top administrator
From 'Staff Reports
SUSSEX - The top administrative official for Sussex County will retire
in the coming weeks.
Mary Jones, county administrator, has been on an extended leave of absence from her position since August 2009.
On Thursday, the Sussex County Board of Supervisors voted to offer Jones retirement beginning September 1.
They commended her for her many years of service to the county, but acknowledged that it was time to find someone to fill the gap in administration.
In an extended interview with Deputy County Administrator earlier this year, he discussed the issue of leave and extended days off among others. He said Mary Jones was employed 20 plus years with Sussex, but could not provide an exact amount of time confirming it was less than 30 years.
"She has plenty," he did say to cover the time off. For more than a year, Jones was on consecutive leave.
County officials have been all but silent on the issue of Jones' absence in the past year. No one has been able to answer questions from the public or the media about Jones' health, or about the amount of leave time county employees are able to take.
Board member Rufus Tyler stated several months ago that the county should respect Jones' privacy, and give her as much time as needed to return to work.
In Thursday's meeting, Tyler was the one supervisor to abstain from voting on Jones' proposed retirement.
"I would have thought that the Board would find every possible way to retire Ms. Jones in a more humane way," he said.
However, in a previous Interview, Tyler said he had 'every confidence that Ms. Jones would return to work.
There was never a public announcement made as to why the county administrator took leave or when she was expected to return or if she had retirement plans.
Morrison explained that he did not think Jones had taken much leave in the past, but would not provide how much vacation time she had available citing personnel matters must remain confidential.
According the county's sick leave policy provided by Morrison, "Sick leave accrues at the rate of 1 ¼ days per month for full-time employment. Temporary or relief employees do not accrue sick leave. Part-time employees who are on permanent status will accrue sick leave at one-half of the rate of full-time staff. Extensions of sick leave in unusual or extreme cases may be granted with the approval of the county administrator. When an employee's use of sick leave extends beyond three sequential days the employee may be asked to submit to the immediate supervisor written verification as to the nature and legitimacy of his or her illness. Accumulation of sick leave is unlimited during continued employment."
Also county employees are authorized to take three days of accrued sick leave in the event of a death or critical illness of an immediate family member, but cannot exceed six days a year.
When the board voted last week to offer retirement for Jones, they also agreed to pay all the annual leave time she was due, up to the maximum amount stated in the county policy. According to the policy provided by Morrison if an employee works for the county for 30 years and does not take any sick leave throughout that time the individual would have earned 1,950 days of sick leave. That would allow a staff member paid with taxpayer dollars more than five years off with full pay and benefits, as well as earning more sick leave.
Morrison was not available Friday to respond to additional questions.
tick removal – from Bill
This is good to know...
Spring will be here soon and the ticks will soon be showing their heads. Here is a good way to get them off you, your children, or your pets. Give it a try.
Please forward to anyone with children... or hunters or dogs, or anyone who even steps outside in summer!!
A School Nurse has written the info below -- good enough to share -- And it really works!!
I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great, because it works in those places where it's some times difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc.
Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with
the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20),
the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball
when you lift it away. This technique has worked every time I've used
it (and that was frequently), and it's much less traumatic for the
patient and easier for me.
Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be
damaging in any way. I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice
because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with
tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say,
"It worked!"
Please pass on. Everyone needs this helpful hint.
This really upsets me! – from Brenda
This is just sickening. Only 60% of those voting on the FOX poll have voted to NOT ban the flag in school and something like 36% voted YES, to ban it. What is going on in this country?? Read below.
Fox is running a poll about whether the flag should be banned in schools in order not to inflame Hispanic students.
The poll is being sandbagged by SEIU and we should mount a counter action if you agree with me that the flag should be taken down for no one.
Moveon.org, Organizing for America , and SEIU have been twittering to go to Fox Poll and vote to ban the Flag ...... and right now it is working.
SHOW THEM WHAT TRUE PATRIOTS BELIEVE!!! Let's flip those numbers and show the leftists we are organized and on the move....flip the numbers now.
GO HERE NOW: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/05/06/american-flag-banned-america/ and then pass it along!
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