Names, News and Notes

Company 4 volunteers host “push-in” event to celebrate new engine 

Powhatan Volunteer Fire Department Company 4 (Fine Creek) recently held a "push-in" celebration for its brand-new fire engine. The tradition of pushing a new fire engine into the station, called a "push-in ceremony," dates back to the 1800s, when fire apparatus were horse-drawn. Horses couldn't back up, so firefighters manually pushed the heavy equipment into the bay after a call, a symbolic act that evolved into a ceremonial welcome for new motorized trucks to honor tradition and unite the community.

In other local fire-rescue news, Company 1’s Jayden Stinnett has completed all of the requirements to obtain his black shield, signaling he is now a cleared interior firefighter. Firefighting runs deep in Jayden's family as he is a 4th generation firefighter and he has literally grown up in Company 1, as his dad Jason has been a Company 1 volunteer for 20 years.

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Habitat for Humanity offering unique and meaningful gift option

Want to give a gift that truly stands out this Christmas? For just $25, you can purchase a “Piece of Home” renovation share that helps a local Powhatan resident become a first-time homebuyer in 2026. Habitat is currently renovating an entire home for one future homeowner, and your share directly supports the project. Each $25 share comes with a personalized certificate, a limited-edition 25th Anniversary Habitat t-shirt, and an invitation for both you and your gift recipient to attend the home’s dedication ceremony. For more information, visit www.habitatpowhatan.org or call (804) 594-7009.

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Powhatan State Park hosting Ice Age-style spear throwing workshop

Powhatan State Park will be hosting an Atlatl Spear-Throwing event from 2 -3 p.m. on Dec. 20. Put yourself into the shoes of an Ice Age hunter in this spear-throwing workshop using an ancient spear-throwing device: the atlatl! The atlatl was used on the North American continent and all over the world, enabling both men and women to efficiently hunt megafauna such as woolly mammoths and giant ground sloths. Come try your hand at spear-throwing and experience the power of the atlatl! This activity is best suited for participants ages 10 and up. Children under the age of 10 will need to be accompanied by an adult at all times, and all participants are urged to wear closed-toe shoes.

Powhatan State Park is located at 4616 Powhatan State Park Rd., Powhatan, VA 23139.

Email powhatan@dcr.virginia.gov or call (804) 598-7148 for more information or to register. This event is free but parking fees will apply.

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Upcoming Farm-to-Table program offers path to self-sufficiency

Are you feeling the increase in food prices? Do you want to be more self-sufficient? Do you have an interest in gardening and the culinary arts? If so please join Powhatan Virginia Cooperative (VCE) at its 2026 Farm to Table Program.

The 2026 Powhatan Farm-To-Table Program is a series of two-hour classes where participants learn how to grow and cook their own food! Classes are taught by local horticultural and culinary experts from Powhatan VCE, Virginia State University, Powhatan High School’s Culinary Arts Program, Goochland-Powhatan Master Gardener’s Association ,and The Unadulterated Bakery! Each class will teach how to both grow the plants covered in the class and how to make delicious recipes with the plants. Participants get a take home item at the end of every class! Class size is limited to 25 per class so sign up ASAP!

All classes will be held between 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at Bailey’s Café & Culinary Arts Kitchen at Powhatan High School (1800 Judes Ferry Rd, Powhatan, VA 23139) and are $20 each. Classes for participants aged 16 and older. 

Classes will be held on the following dates:

• March 3: Sourdough
• March 10: Peppers & Hot Sauce
• March 17: Ginger
• March 24: Vegetables & Raised Beds

Payment can be in the form of cash, check, or credit card (credit card payment link will be sent out after registering for the program via the link below). Cash or check payments can be made in person at the Powhatan Extension Office or via mail to the Powhatan Extension Office (3910 Old Buckingham Road, Suite B, Powhatan, Virginia 23139). Please make checks payable to “Treasure Virginia Tech.”

If interested in participating in this program, please complete the online registration at https://forms.gle/cwmZXfWQbRxKvLez7 or contact the Powhatan Extension office at (804) 598-5640.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.

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Department of Forestry releases 2025 fall fire season stats

During this year’s fall fire season, which ran from Oct. 15 to Nov. 30, the Virginia Department of Forestry suppressed 152 wildfires that burned 1,733 acres and damaged two outbuildings. The DOF response efforts during the fall are credited with protecting 36 homes and 39 other structures with a total value estimated to be over $10 million. For comparison, in the fall of 2024, DOF suppressed 83 wildfires that burned 2,444 acres.

Virginia’s fall fire season may be over, but officials warn Virginians that wildfires are a year-round threat. DOF also reminds those with live Christmas trees to follow safe practices for caring for their tree. Learn more at nfpa.org.

The following tips can help keep residents, pets and property safe:

• Check with local officials before burning

• Avoid burning if your locality is in a drought

• Avoid burning on dry, windy days

• Keep your burn pile small

• Stay with your fire until it’s completely out (drown, stir, drown again, ensure it’s cool)

• Have a rake or shovel and charged water hose on hand

• Have a phone ready to call 911 if a fire escapes your control

• Consider a “green” alternative to burning yard debris: compost your organic yard waste

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In other news…

Powhatan High School hosted its annual College and Career Fair in November, giving students the chance to explore future education and career pathways both here in Powhatan and beyond. Dozens of representatives shared insights into colleges, training programs, military service, and local workforce opportunities. Thank you to all of our community partners for spending the day with our students, and to the PHS staff whose hard work made this event possible.

The Powhatan County Puzzle Bowl is coming! You and three of your friends or family members can sign up for the first ever Library puzzle competition. You and your team will compete to complete a 500-piece puzzle that's identical to the other teams. First one to finish, wins. Registration is required and each group must have four people. Participants must be at least 12 years old. For more information, visit the library at 2700 Mann Rd., call (804) 598-5670 or check the library's website at www.powhatanlibrary.net.

Deck the halls! Goochland-Powhatan Master Gardeners and community friends gathered on Thursday, Dec. 11 for a Colonial Williamsburg–style wreath-making workshop. The group offred a heartfelt thank you to Extension Master Gardener Michelle Kaufman for hosting them in her beautiful space and for providing a delicious light lunch afterward.

Cold weather, shorter days, feeling down? You’re not alone. Millions of U.S. adults experience “winter-blues” and dips in mood this time of year. Powhatan residents are urged to call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for more resources. Those needing support of any kind can also connect on Facebook with Pathways Recovery Center , Community Matters, The Span Center(Friendship Cafe), Powhatan County Public Library or NAMI.

Help is also available at www.samhsa.gov/coping-bereavement-grief.

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Recent Property Transfers

• 4 acres; Rebecca Turner Trivett to Joshua Myers, $251,000.

• 3217 Duke Road, Powhatan; Shirlee S. Baggette to Darlene Craze, $340,000.

• 2243 Fall Line Drive, Powhatan; Jerry Lee Roberts to Shannon O'Grady, $345,000.

• 4408 Lockin Road, Powhatan; Ryan E. Rhodes to Jessica Scott Henley, $330,000.

• Lot 2, Section A, Pinecrest; Atlantic Trustee Services LLC to JCM III LLC, $490,400.

• Lots 3 and 4, Homestretch; Robin Cox Petrine to Chesterfield Construction Services Inc., $360,000.

• 2505 Mill Road, Powhatan; Robin Cox Petrine to Lori Werbeck, $235,000.

• 2406 Ocala Drive, Powhatan; US Bank Trust to Rachael Fay Hutchinson, $289,000.

• 1575 Ole Bert Drive, Powhatan; Jacob Bruce to Joshua Adam Demings, $765,000.

• 2277 Red Lane Road, Powhatan; Austin S. Fox to Kenneth H. Sutton, $380,000.

• 3761 Tilman Farm Drive, Powhatan; Candice R. Carroll to Sarah B. Cosby, $944,000.