This year seems like a dystopian novel, but it’s been all
too real.
As we look forward to putting 2020 in the rearview mirror,
the intrepid souls in our community who found ways to continue traditions,
albeit modified for Covid, are to be thanked for their ingenuity and spirit.
The list includes:
The Christmas Mother program (https://www.goochlandchristmasmother.org/)
whose dedicated volunteers “pivoted”—a new addition to our vocabulary—to find
ways to help those economically challenged to have a Merry Christmas. This
year’s Christmas Mother, Joy Kline and her elves will not let a pandemic halt
the important work of this group. Community
building aspects of this program, shopping, wrapping, distributing, went away,
but the spirit of giving shines brightly. It is never too late to donate to the
Christmas Mother!
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| Joy Kline 2020 Goochland Christmas Mother |
Goochland Parks and Rec, partnering with the YMCA, welcomed
800 cars for a drive through visit with Santa at Hidden Rock Park on December 4.
More than 350 pounds of food and cash donations collected at this event were
delivered to Goochland Cares. The virtual lighting of the county’s Christmas
Tree at the intersection of Fairground and Sandy Hook Roads followed later that
evening. The tree will remain lit until January
1. Our new County Administrator Kenneth “Kenny” Young flipped the switch after
presenting a check to Kline for $2,045 raised by county staff for this
worthwhile cause.
Parks and rec is not done with Christmas joy. “Santa
calling” will give kids a chance to talk with the jolly elf on December 10.
Salem Baptist Church staged a reservation-only version of
Bethlehem Walk. This annual event takes visitors to Bethlehem of long ago and
reminds us of the meaning of the season.
Goochland High School’s Drama Department livestreamed its
production of “It’s a Wonderful Life” last weekend. Combing technology and creativity
to overcome the restrictions of social distancing provided a unique experience both
for the student participants and audience. Kudos to all who found a way in
these very strange times to follow the dictum “the show must go on!”.
Among Covid casualties was the last Field Day of the Past at
the Ashland Road site. Its Christmas open house, a quiet respite from the
clatter of a normal holiday season, was also cancelled. However, Santa and his reindeer
fly over Ashland Road one more time.
May the lessons we learned from the high weird of 2020 serve
us well in the coming year.
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