Getting started

All journeys begin with the first step


Everyone has an opinion of what this county needs. Some have quietly begun to make things happen.

On Saturday, three of those groups will be doing their thing in Courthouse Village. Come learn what they’re all about.

Although the James River forms the southern border of Goochland, thanks to the CSX railroad tracks, there is little public access to the water. Last year, the county bought the only riverfront land that does not require crossing the tracks. Although the property lies in the flood plain, it was earmarked for recreational use and eventually dubbed Tucker Park at Maidens Crossing.

A public-private task force, whose members represent county staff, the Chamber of Commerce and interested individuals, are developing a vision for the future use of the park.

Beth Moore, chair of the Tucker Park at Maidens Crossing task force, has already mobilized a corps of volunteers who spent at least one sweaty Saturday on the banks of the river clearing brush and collecting trash. They not only believe in the future of the park, but are willing to pitch in and make it happen.

There will undoubtedly be many more sweaty Saturdays, but on June 27, the Task Force invites everyone to welcome the Batteaux when they arrive at the Maidens boat landing across the river in Powhatan.
Those festivities will start about 11 a.m. Music will be provided by the White Hawk Music Café, another wonderful addition to Courthouse Village, and the Ol’Time Pickers Association. If you’re so inclined, bring your guitar and join in the fun.

The Park is located off of Route 522 just south of the intersection of Maidens Road and Route 6/River Road West. Go towards Powhatan
County and look for signs to the park site. For more information visit
www.maidenscrossingpark.com.

The Batteaux are reproductions of the wide shallow draft boats that were used to transport crops from interior Virginia to the port of Richmond long before there were railroads or even barge canals. The boats are an early example of the American ingenuity.

Each year, the batteaux make the journey from Lynchburg to Maidens. Talk to the crews of the different boats, they all have great tales of the journey. It’s hard enough coming downstream with the flow of the river, especially in times of low water. In their heyday, batteaux moved cargo in both directions.

Batteaux travel on river time, no timepieces allowed on the water, so they get there when they get there. Enjoy the day, catch your breath and try to imagine what life was like back then. Enjoy the river it is truly one of Goochland’s treasures.

Then there is the Goochland Farmers Market on the grounds of Grace Church on River Road West that starts at 8 a.m. each Saturday through October 31.

In addition to vendors who bring locally grown food, crafts and other wonders, this week there will be lots of organized activities for kids.

Sponsored by the Center for Rural Culture (www.centerforruralculture.org,) the GFM came into being to fill a need for an outlet for local products and a place to build community. The GFM has grown by leaps and bounds. Stop by and see what’s going on. Come back often.

(Full disclosure, the author of this blog is a member of the CRC board.)

Perhaps the best example of local people using their skills to benefit the community are the members of the Goochland Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES.) Thanks to their ham radio skills and community spirit, these are the folks that keep us connected to the world after the power fails. They work closely with the county’s emergency services team and are ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice to keep Goochland communications open locally and globally.

This weekend ARES members will be at the Courthouse Company 5 fire-rescue station on Fairground Road from 2 p.m. on Saturday until 5 p. m. on Sunday participating in a field day competition to see who can make the most contacts in North America.

Learn how amateur radio operators using small, simple, self-contained radios and power supplies can contact people around the corner or around the world using equipment that requires little infrastructure and can operate independently.

This all happened because a few people stopped talking and started doing. Others joined in and look what happened. It’s all part of the journey of Goochland. Come see what’s going on and start something yourself!